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Thread: All Natural Bow drill fire lighting

  1. #1
    Natural Born Bushcrafter MikeWilkinson's Avatar
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    All Natural Bow drill fire lighting

    Hi Guys found this today, not particularly exciting narration, but a Challenge for all the bow drill guys out there.


    So the Challenge is, can you make a fire using only all natural materials. The challenge must be completed all in one go/day.
    To make it a little easier on those who don't have any decent access to good flint (i.e. up in my neck of the woods where it is all grit stone) you can use a knife, however, if you do manage it go back and try again with a natural cutting tool.

    Report you efforts on here.
    [SIZE=4][COLOR=#8b4513]Wake me up when things are over, and I'm Wiser and older.

  2. #2
    Native Marvell's Avatar
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    From a survival perspective, I love this. It represents the purest form of fire lighting as far as I'm concerned. I also enjoyed this chap doing scratch materials for hand drill.

    Steve Marvell
    Professional Survival Instructor
    Blog: Survival's Cool also available on Facebook

  3. #3
    Trapper
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeWilkinson View Post
    So the Challenge is, can you make a fire using only all natural materials.
    Great challenge, good vids - am up for it (if you don't mind waiting between 1 day and 2 years! ;-) )

    Just to make clear the challenge is "all natural materials" NOT (please god note this) NOT au naturel - that's one report I don't want to see!!!

  4. #4
    Trapper aman's Avatar
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    Thanks for both of those videos This is something I would like to achieve this year
    aman

  5. #5
    One with Nature AL...'s Avatar
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    Fantastic vids Realy like the second one . I never knew you could use Burdock (Spelling sucks I know)
    Always thought it would be to soft to use as a drill
    Live and learn

    Cheers
    AL

  6. #6
    Natural Born Bushcrafter MikeWilkinson's Avatar
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    Managed to put together an all natural kit last night, Willow bark for the cordage, hazel spindle, birch fireboard and limpets for the socket. Managed to get a good pile of powder and plenty of smoke before the cord snapped, but alas could not maintain the ember. Will try again tonight with a lime board this time and might try to plait the willow rather than reverse wrap. Will try and get pictures too.
    [SIZE=4][COLOR=#8b4513]Wake me up when things are over, and I'm Wiser and older.

  7. #7
    Tribal Elder AdrianRose's Avatar
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    Hi Mike
    Hope that you're well buddy.

    Definitely post some pictures up when you can mate, I'd love to see this all come together.

    ATB

    Ade


    Quote Originally Posted by MikeWilkinson View Post
    Managed to put together an all natural kit last night, Willow bark for the cordage, hazel spindle, birch fireboard and limpets for the socket. Managed to get a good pile of powder and plenty of smoke before the cord snapped, but alas could not maintain the ember. Will try again tonight with a lime board this time and might try to plait the willow rather than reverse wrap. Will try and get pictures too.

  8. #8
    Moderator Roadkillphil's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AdrianRose View Post
    Hi Mike
    Hope that you're well buddy.

    Definitely post some pictures up when you can mate, I'd love to see this all come together.

    ATB

    Ade
    Ditto! Lookin forward to seeing the results I'm still halfway through making my not quite so natural set to get more practice first. Then I think I'd like to try this.
    Thanks once more guys for inspiration

    Cheers

    Phil
    Storms have a way of teaching what nothing else can.

    ALWAYS Leave a Trace

  9. #9
    Natural Born Bushcrafter MikeWilkinson's Avatar
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    Had another try this evening. Used the Egyptian wrap to help preserve the cordage, again managed smoke, thought I had an ember, but after about 10 secs it ceased to smoke! Cord snapped on the third attempt, think I was bowing a bit too furiously.
    Will try again on the weekend. Thicker cord this time. The Egyptian wrap helped though, ensured the spindle span and took a lot of wear away from the cord as you don't need as much pressure on it.

    I also think processed willow cord might work a little better too. But then this about doing it all in one go with green cordage.

    Will post pics from the next attempt as I'll have someone to take photos.

    Mike
    [SIZE=4][COLOR=#8b4513]Wake me up when things are over, and I'm Wiser and older.

  10. #10
    Wanderer
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    Great efforts Mike, i was set a similar challenge with my bowdrill set last time me n my buddy went out. Took a while, but got there in the end.

    Ashamed to say it but the guy could have used the lace from his shoe as chordage, got it going, re-laced his boot by the fire whilst making a tea, then kept a hotrock or two in a horseshoe fungus in his bag for later........or is that cheating?

    I've made chordage inthe past and i am assured by a friend that soaked nettle chordage is strong and supple. Can't vouch for it myself though

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