Well, I hadn't done a friction fire in over three months (I used to do some sort of friction fire almost daily). Well today it's been raining, was very humid, and I had a headache too boot. But conditions are seldom perfect, so give it a go I did. Guess muscle memory remembered, because got an ember with bow drill the first go. Woot!
First hand drill ember I have achieved since getting done with my hike. This used to be a daily practice for me, so it feels great to have it back (as well as rebuilding those calluses) Materials were Wild sunflower stalk on cottonwood
Was talking to Mike Lowe (friction fire guru, also on History channel's Alone) yesterday and we touched on hand drill fire making. I realized it had been a while since I practiced, so I busted one out. So here we go, seep willow on cottonwood.
Today's daily practice. I honestly couldn't get a hand drill ember at all today. I was going thru different materials, spindle thicknesses, and even body positions. Just about destroyed my hands (thank god for calluses). Anyway, I decided to take a mental break and go do something completely different. Came back a little later and busted this guy out first go. Woot! Wild Sunflower stalk on cottonwood
Was windy, but still was able to bust out a bow drill coal. @mntgoat was awesome enough to send me his RB3 to try out along with a cool copper ember catch he made. So both those helped out in tonight's spinning of a coal.
Another bow drill ember today. I need to go gather some different materials for hand drill though. What I have is technically correct, but the materials aren't mating well to achieve that ember. (I have gotten a couple, but they weren't as easy as they should have been lol). But the bow drill is working just fine!
Busted out a coal on this windy day! Used my new G10 PR4 scales from The Leading Edge Knife Works as the bearing block. Worked most excellent!
Nice work Caleb, I really need to get back to hand drills. Been so tied up with things, I can't even make a coal.
Ok really dumb question, what material do you recommend to start with hand drill. I have always been interested but this is one form of fire lighting I have very little expierence with. Keep in mind for materials I am in the humid south.