Bow Drill - Catching The Coal.

[Kitharode]

Apologies if this is one of those 'daft' questions, but if you don't ask you don't find out.

If I have a go at the bow-drill method, what's the reason for catching the coal on a bit of bark (dry leaf, whatever) rather than straight onto a tinder bundle?

Cheers,

 

[Wild wandering woodsman]

I myself honestly don't know why, I guess its just the done thing, the way everyone has been taught? Give it a try see what happens, cant hurt to try something new


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[Drain Bamaged]

You basically need a 'firm' base for the dust to fall on to and make a coal.

D.B.

 

[John Fenna]

In my experience, if you stand the hearth board on your tinder you compress the tinder to the point that it is unusable.
I have not tried using amadou as a catch plate but have used charcloth to catch the ember - it gives you a huge ember to play with....

 

[Tommyd345]

You need the dust that is made to collect in a focal point to create a solid ember. A tinder bundle wouldn't be able to catch it and keep in one place as well as a dry leaf/whatever you use

No such thing as daft questions!

 

[Kitharode]

Thank you very much everybody. That all makes sense. Cheers Tommyd345 for pointing out that the dust makes the ember and needs a focal point. I can see how that would work. Ta muchly.

 

[2trapper]

Thanks, very useful tips!