The components of a fire-making kit using a bow drill are the bow drill itself, the hearth, the spindle, the handhold, and tinder.听The bow drill should only ever be used outdoors in an open area by one person at a time. Please be careful; you will actually create fire!
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Kneel beside the hearth as pictured in the photos. Secure the hearth to the ground with your foot.
- Wind the bowstring around the spindle as pictured in the diagram, and then set the spindle flat-end down into the depression on the hearth.
- Brace your left arm against your knee and secure the pointed end of the spindle with the handhold, applying pressure downwards. You can apply grease to the handhold or the top of the spindle (pointed end) to allow the spindle more ease of movement.
- With slow, even strokes, begin to work the bow back and forth, causing the spindle to twist. Gradually work faster until it smokes,听creating a hot ember. If it will not smoke, adjust the pressure applied to the spindle. The dust created by the friction should be dark brown or black.
- Tuck a clump of tinder into the notch. Resume the correct posture as pictured, replace the spindle with the听bowstring wrapped around it, and once again move the bow back and forth, adjusting for听speed and pressure as you go. When smoke appears, pick up the pace until you have a steady wisp of smoke rising from the tinder.
- Remove the tinder from the notch. It is often helpful to place a large leaf beneath the tinder before you begin to make this step a little听easier. Carefully fold the tinder nest around the ember and blow on the bundle with slow, controlled breaths. As it smokes,听keep blowing and tighten the nest with your fingers. Keep applying air until you get a flame.
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