Bow and Drill Fire Starter

Experience techniques used by native Americans for lighting a fire before steel was introduced. These methods can be used in survival situations today.

Materials:

• dowel (l/2" x 12" or 1 cm x 30 cm)
• pine or hardwood board (1" x 2" x 12" or 2.5 cm x 5 cm x 30 cm)
• pine board (1" x 2" x 4" or 2.5 cm x 5 cm x 10 cm)
• green stick such as willow (1" diameter x 2' or 2.5 cm x 60 cm long, shaped as shown)
• length of leather thong
• grease

Procedure:

1. Round edges of 1" x 2" x 4" board so that it fits comfortably in your hand.
2. Drill or carve a l /2 -inch (1 cm) diameter shallow socket in the center of the piece.

3. A bow and drill creates fire by friction. The drill and fireboard should be the same wood.

   Round one end of the dowel and sharpen the other end to a short bevel.
4. Notch the footpiece as shown and drill or carve a shallow depression.
5. Assemble the bow and drill illustrated. Note that the thong is wrapped once around the drill so that it spirals upward toward the handle.
6. Lubricate the headsocket with grease (ear wax will do in a pinch).
7. Place one foot on the footpiece. Kneel so that the opposite knee is on the ground.
8. Sprinkle tinder in the notch of the footpiece.
9. Insert the bow and drill in the socket of the footpiece. Insert the top of the drill in the headsocket.
10. Steady the hand holding the headpiece against the shin, while applying light pressure on the headpiece. Slowly saw bow back and forth. If drill does not turn, increase tension on the thong. Gradually increase speed until the bottom of the drill begins to smolder.
11. When it is smoking well, give 20 or so fast strokes with the bow and pull the drill quickly from its socket. There should be a small pile of smoldering punk in the notch with the tinder.
12. Gently fold tinder over the smoldering punk and blow. As the volume of smoke increases, keep blowing until the tinder bursts into flame.
13. Do not expect instant results; this technique takes practice. Using a bow and drill will not always result in a fire, but it will create a deep affection for matches.