Bowdrill - what level are you?

[spandit]

Been toying with this idea for some time... I'm a level one, if it helps! Would you change the levels or what level are you?

Level	Drill set	Cordage	Weather
1	Bought	Synthetic	Dry
2	Bought	Synthetic	Wet
3	Made in advance	Synthetic	Dry
4	Made in advance	Synthetic	Wet
5	Made in advance	Natural	Dry
6	Made in advance	Natural	Wet
7	Foraged	Synthetic	Dry
8	Foraged	Synthetic	Wet
9	Foraged	Natural	Dry
10	Foraged	Natural	Wet

 

[Stringmaker]

I alternate between level 3 and 7.

By that I mean that my current set has a foraged drill, bow, bearing and hearth (7) but the next time I use it it will therefore be back down to a 3!

 

[spandit]

I did struggle a bit finding 10 levels... they might need some refinement!

 

[Elen Sentier]

Anticipatory !!! have not yet begun but intend to, will begin by foraging the bits. I'll spin my own cordage from something, not decided what yet - unlikely to be nettles!

 

[shaggystu]

Somewhere round about a 7 (in the middle of august, in a heat wave, with all the time in the world, under no pressure, well fed, with a constant supply of coffee to keep me going), on second thoughts, maybe a 3

Cheers,

Stuart

 

[superc0ntra]

I am on number 3 and am trying (and sometimes succeeding) on level 7.
I'd rearrange the list a bit and have both bought and pre-made dry weather before wet weather

 

[mace242]

I am confident at level 8 (more than 10 times) and able to do level 10 (I have done it a couple of times to prove I could). You could have added more levels by expanding the tinder and ember extender options. Unless you are talking about just forming an ember. I'd be interested if you include leather as a natural cordage. If you think so then I am a happy level 10.

I am not including the times I have failed in the 10 at level 8 - you would easily double the number of serious attempts and that ignores the times I've just tried random woods just to see what would happen.

I am about to prepare 10 bow trill sets for an inter-department challenge at work in the new year, and I'll have to make all of those work before hand. I am slightly dreading it.... Still it'll keep me quiet for a weekend over Christmas.

 

[jackcbr]

I'm a three and a four, as I don't allow my set to get wet and take steps in the wet to keep harth and drill dry and protected from the damp earth. Now how long it takes me is another question, I've done anything from 3 days to 3 minutes. Looking forward to being a 7 and 8 real soon.

 

[Seoras]

Generally bimble along at a 7 as that is convenient.

Tested my self out at a 10 a few times (probably a 50/50 success rate) with Rich 59's damp tinder method.

I use the Egyptian method with any natural cordage (Lime, Nettle, Spruce roots etc.) as this does not put a great deal of strain on the cordage.

I intend to try out pig intestine sometime as cordage.

George

 

[The Big Lebowski]

4, but working on it.

Do I get a merit for taking three guys from never using a set, to ember, to flame (1'st attempt) on the side of a hill in winter, -7

 

[mace242]

4, but working on it.

Do I get a merit for taking three guys from never using a set, to ember, to flame (1'st attempt) on the side of a hill in winter, -7

Only if it was raining . Seriously ,though, that's not bad at all. Always easy to get these things done in a nice sheltered garden like where I do most of my practice...

 

[lannyman8]

im an 8 but working towards 10, and with all natural flint tools too, one of my many "things to do" bushcraft list...

 

[Seoras]

4, but working on it.

Do I get a merit for taking three guys from never using a set, to ember, to flame (1'st attempt) on the side of a hill in winter, -7

A merit - Have a gold star.

Hard going.

Cheers

George

 

[Niels]

7, and desperetaly wanting to get to 8

 

[Mesquite]

I was about a 7 though I've managed 8 a couple times.

Haven't done bow drill for ages though

 

[John Fenna]

I swap around 9 on a good day to 4 on most occassions...

 

[copper_head]

3 or 4 really...

 

[shaggystu]

.....I use the Egyptian method with any natural cordage....

I have no idea what the "Egyptian method" is, any chance of some details?

Cheers,

Stuart

 

[Seoras]

I have no idea what the "Egyptian method" is, any chance of some details?

Cheers,

Stuart

Have a look here.

http://nehawkaprimitiveskills.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/egyptian-bow-drill.html

 

[sandbender]

On that scale I would be an 8, I'd like to be a 10 but it seems like years since I ever sat down and found the time to make some cordage.