Bow drill for kids

[JonnyP]

Can anyone help me with advise on helping an 8yr old boy using a bow drill. This evening I showed my boy how to start a fire using a bow drill and he was keen on having a go at it, but he was having trouble keeping the pressure on the top of the drill and keeping the bow parallel to the ground, so I was helping him hold the bearing block while he did the bow work, but he had trouble getting the bow going and keeping it going.
I was wondering if anyone here have taught youngsters and the methods of teaching used.
Thanks.......................Jon

 

[steve a]

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/bowdrill/index.html

Jon, try the Eygptian bow method as found on the above site, easier for young bushcrafters to master.
Some good info on the above site for the more mature bushcrafter too.

 

[JonnyP]

Thanks for that Steve, I have never tryed this version, but I will try it with him.
Cheers...............Jon

 

[torjusg]

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/bowdrill/index.html

Jon, try the Eygptian bow method as found on the above site, easier for young bushcrafters to master.
Some good info on the above site for the more mature bushcrafter too.

Seen inuits use that method in books as well. Tried it briefly once, but I thought it wore the string more, as opposed to what is written on that website.

Torjus Gaaren

 

[JonnyP]

I use a leather thong as a sting. Is this ok for an egyptian bow drill.................Jon

 

[Phil562]

Jon - at the weekend you bring your kit, I'll bring mine and we'll give it ago

 

[Toddy]

I teach children to use the bowdrill, and I use the Egyptian type. Historically, and pre historically a grease filled limpet shell was used, it cups into the palm of the hand beautifully
Humans have an astonishing ability to learn simply by watching, do it often, let him watch, it kind of gets the body language right before he starts and gets disheartened.
I find my bowstings last just fine, it's a balance thing, if you position your self in such a way that all of your body mass, one free bowing arm apart, is focused on top of the bearing block/ spindle cap then all of the energy is going where you want it to. Children grasp this quite quickly; Everything still and focused down apart from your bowing arm and shoulder.

Make sure he has a fire steel handy though and a flint and steel too, that way he'll play with all of them and even if he doesn't manage the fire bow right off he'll come back to it again and again until he does

atb,
Toddy

 

[JonnyP]

Thanks Toddy...........I will try him again and again and hopefully I can do it in a way that he doesn't get discouraged. A few of us (Phil562, The Joker, Maver and us) are going to blackberry wood camp site, (where they allow fires) at the weekend, so hopefully we will have a good go at it......................Jon

 

[Toddy]

Doc's son was given a firesteel at the first Scottish Meet, and he had so much fun with it, we're still talking about it ( you should have *seen* the knife though ) but he's still happy to learn through play even if he didn't manage the bow drill (yet!) unaided.
We all learned things that burned we didn't think would, too.
It all comes in time, make charcloth for him too, charcoal is easily done in a campfire as well, light the fungi ember carriers, give him a pouch to hold his flint and steel and tinder; your enthusiasm and his own practising will keep it fresh for him. Hope you all have an excellent weekend.
Cheers,
Toddy

 

[JonnyP]

Thanks Toddy................Perhaps if I get him started with a firesteel and some char cloth, cramp balls, tinder etc, he can light the camp fire, which will really inspire him. I will let you know how we got on.......................Jon

 

[Phil562]

make charcloth for him too, charcoal is easily done in a campfire as well, light the fungi ember carriers, give him a pouch to hold his flint and steel and tinder; your enthusiasm and his own practising will keep it fresh for him. Hope you all have an excellent weekend.
Cheers,
Toddy

Exactly what I have done Toddy, for my daughter, made a pouch, wonder where I got the materials from , put in a re-sealable plastic bag containing char cloth, a small opinel ( the one with a rounded point ) and a swedish firesteel - which I made the handle myself out of BEM so as the handle is easier for her to hold. Also attached a small photon type torch and glow keyring to the neck cord. Can't wait to see her face when I give it to her

 

[steve a]

Seen inuits use that method in books as well. Tried it briefly once, but I thought it wore the string more, as opposed to what is written on that website.

Torjus Gaaren

Thats strange as the bow string is taking less pressure, with this method I have used nettle cordage without breakage something I have not been able to do with a traditional set up, also used 3 inner strands from paracord without breaking it. I have seen an artical where the author used a double length of dental floss and achieved a coal without breaking the bow string.Try it again with different types of cordage.

 

[torjusg]

Thats strange as the bow string is taking less pressure, with this method I have used nettle cordage without breakage something I have not been able to do with a traditional set up, also used 3 inner strands from paracord without breaking it. I have seen an artical where the author used a double length of dental floss and achieved a coal without breaking the bow string.Try it again with different types of cordage.

I may have to try it again!

Torjus Gaaren