Bamboo and Flint - in Borneo

[Blundstoned Love]

Has anyone ever heard of using flint and bamboo to start a fire?

I find it hard to imagine.

I read about it in a book - an excerpt on the process is in a post I've just done on my blog if you fancy a dekko.

https://gardeningboots.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/me-ol-bamboo/

 

[rorymax]

I've watched fire being started using bamboo only, took only a few minutes from picking up a piece of dry bamboo.

Twas years ago and I cannot remember the technique other than no hand drill twisting or bow-drill used, just a rubbing of two lengthways halves (inner sides) of bamboo held at right angles to each other, tinder was the fine shaving from the exterior of the bamboo.

It was made to look very very easy, I wish I could remember the knife cuts that had to be made, must google it.

 

[mick91]

I've watched fire being started using bamboo only, took only a few minutes from picking up a piece of dry bamboo.

Twas years ago and I cannot remember the technique other than no hand drill twisting or bow-drill used, just a rubbing of two lengthways halves (inner sides) of bamboo held at right angles to each other, tinder was the fine shaving from the exterior of the bamboo.

It was made to look very very easy, I wish I could remember the knife cuts that had to be made, must google it.

Is that a similar method to the maori fire plough? I've only ever managed that once. Not as easy as it's made to look. As for flint and bamboo, I can't see that working. But I'd be very interested to see it. Isn't a flint and steel working predicated on you chipping parts of the steel away that glow not the flint? Surely bamboo is too soft?

 

[forrestdweller]

Is that a similar method to the maori fire plough? I've only ever managed that once. Not as easy as it's made to look. As for flint and bamboo, I can't see that working. But I'd be very interested to see it. Isn't a flint and steel working predicated on you chipping parts of the steel away that glow not the flint? Surely bamboo is too soft?

the fire plough works by moving a piece of timber lengthwise in a groove in another piece- the fire saw works crosswise. i did it a few times myself with someone holding the base and me sawing (the same method is used by the Aborigines in the desert with a spearthrower on a softer piece as base)- rather easy this way but alone i never had succes... .

i think there was an article about bamboo and flint by a member of this forum long time ago- not sure if he is still around....

 

[mick91]

the fire plough works by moving a piece of timber lengthwise in a groove in another piece- the fire saw works crosswise. i did it a few times myself with someone holding the base and me sawing (the same method is used by the Aborigines in the desert with a spearthrower on a softer piece as base)- rather easy this way but alone i never had succes... .

i think there was an article about bamboo and flint by a member of this forum long time ago- not sure if he is still around....

Never used the fire saw, but it's Friday so there's a distinct possibility I will have by tonight!

 

[rorymax]

These videos give the idea, the demo I seen did not involve the bamboo being held to the ground, just a piece of bamboo in each hand.

Also, the instructor made a simple clamp using bamboo to hold the tinder in place whilst going through the sawing motion, the army instructor was an Aeta guy like you see in one of the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hcnmDx6MGU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcjrAE4L_LI

 

[Buckshot]

Bamboo and flint = yes
but only a certain type of bamboo

BOD talks about it here although I couldn't find the one where he succeeds
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28826&highlight=bamboo

Last time I saw him when we were out there he was telling us the story of when he was asking some locals about it and one said he would take him to this amazing fire bamboo. Time went on and the chatter too. after many reminders the local reluctantly got up followed by an eager BOD expecting to have a long and arduous trek to an outcrop with a bamboo plant with the sun shining out of it's roots.
Instead they walked 50 yards - the chap had some just outside his house!

Anyway, it works

 

[Tommyd345]

I was going to put together a step by step guide to bamboo fire saw, just waiting for a day without commitments to piece it together!!

 

[NarzaCyst]

This what you mean???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afu4SJxNMcY

 

[Buckshot]

Yes
I think the 'Ash' he mentions is BOD here

 

[Blundstoned Love]

This what you mean???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afu4SJxNMcY

Amazing. Thanks I couldn't work out how it was done.

 

[Ruud]

does it really generate sparks?!? I'm thinking this is still a friction fire (friction between wood and flint in this case)

 

[Blundstoned Love]

I think you're right, it is a friction fire.

As kids we used to knock flints together and get small sparks. Maybe the flint might throw the odd spark if used vigorously so that it flaked.

 

[NarzaCyst]

Amazing. Thanks I couldn't work out how it was done.

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but either way, it's something I would enjoy testing / Learning!

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not

Totally not. I could not envisage how bamboo could work together. Hence my OP "I find it hard to imagine"!

 

[NarzaCyst]

Totally not. I could not envisage how bamboo could work together. Hence my OP "I find it hard to imagine"!

😀 Glad it may be of some use, I'm intrigued to see if it's viable! Would be great to learn another friction fire method!

 

[Galemys]

Hi Blundstoned love,

it was Bushcraftuk members that rediscovered this remarkable firstarting method and brought it back to life.
We wrote an article for the PrimitiveWays website about the bamboo strike-a-light with references to the original thread on bushcraftuk:
http://www.primitiveways.com/bamboo-strike-a-light1.html

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Tom that is awesome, thanks.

A very scholarly piece of work.