I have. It would be easier to deal with the notch etc but the engine (me) is the problem when i fail. That coal catcher is amazing!!! One of my favorite items i own.
My first ever friction fire attempt. No ember yet, but it will happen. I have added the notch now and will continue practicing. I am doing it on the balcony
I know how you feel, I'm usually huffing and puffing long before I even cut a notch. A trick I learned from James Gibson, was using a skinnier spindle. More rpms, but also a little harder to grip. I used to get these really weird shaped blisters on my hand.
Had a no go last night. Got to the point of getting smoke and could start to feel the blisters forming. Ive been nursing them along but they cut loose. Ill give it a bit of time and try again. This is not as easy as Patrick Rollins makes it look.
NWPrimate, DavidEsst, BoggycreekBeast, FarNorthBushcrftandSurvival, and ReallyBigMonkey1 have covered this stuff in great dapth, on youtube. Also check out Dakotar FirePit, long log fire and SurvivalRussia's Siberian Log Fire. Getting a flam is just the start, guys.
Hand drill ember. Horseweed on Willow branch. This ended up being a hard won ember. Between the narrowness and shortness of the spindle, and the fact that I've always had difficulty marrying these two together. Good stuff though.
Thanks! It's just a short section of wrap to grab onto the sheath a little more (really like the shape/look of sheath now so didn't want to wet form). The material used is a simple artificial sinew. Dry wrapped (no glue), with a simple whipping.