Bow drill - Kochanski style

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Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
In Bush Craft, Mors Kochanski has diagrams of a bow drill where instead of cutting a notch in a board he uses a a forked stick and drills into the crotch (of the forked stick ... :roll: ). Anyone tried this method? He also has daigrams of the two-stick method and the hole-through - all interesting variations on the notched board theme.
I'll have to give it a go - probably using ivy or willow.
 

ditchfield

Nomad
Nov 1, 2003
305
0
36
Somerset
I received this book through the post yesterday along with: Nessmuk's 'Woodcraft and Camping'. Kephart's 'Camping and Woodcraft' and 'The Traditional Bowyers Bible part 1'. I noticed the techniques mentioned, very interesting. Its a great book, lots of innovative ideas that I've never seen before.
 

ChrisKavanaugh

Need to contact Admin...
I tried it after reading his wonderfull book. I think once an individual has mastered that first miracle of a glowing ember different methods are just neat variations. What Kochanski shows subtly, if that was even his intent; is that survival/bushcraft is not a set piece. I've seen folks learn friction firemaking with store bought cedar fence panels for the baseboard. A few talented ( or lucky :-x ) individuals managed fire remarkably quickly. Those same people later went out in the real world and were totally lost. Nature just doesn't give us nice flat cedar panels. Once a skill is mastered, people should practise with the worst materials. Anything you do after that; fire,shelter,wooden spoon will seem better and EASY.
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Excellent point Chris ... I agree that all of Kotchanski's work seems well grounded in the real-world.
 
Oct 16, 2003
154
3
57
Surrey
I have had a couple of attempts at using a bow drill, without success. I am using lime wood, which apparently is a good wood to use. However, my main problem is the cord: I can't figure out is what cord to use that doesn't stretch of move unevenly. Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks

Andrew
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Leather or paracord seem the best choice, with natural stuff being better than man-made.
Hope this helps!
 

Ed

Admin
Admin
Aug 27, 2003
5,973
37
50
South Wales Valleys
Make sure its good quality para cord and not the cheap stuff which wears/frays thin and snaps quite quickly when used for a fire drill ;-)

:)
Ed
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Orindeed while doing anything else for that matter. :shock:

Ed said:
Make sure its good quality para cord and not the cheap stuff which wears/frays thin and snaps quite quickly when used for a fire drill ;-)

:)
Ed
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Adi007 said:
Or indeed while doing anything else for that matter. :shock:

Ed said:
Make sure its good quality para cord and not the cheap stuff which wears/frays thin and snaps quite quickly when used for a fire drill ;-)

:)
Ed
 

sargey

Mod
Mod
Member of Bushcraft UK Academy
Sep 11, 2003
2,695
8
cheltenham, glos
i seem to remeber reading that lawnmower starter cord is the most long lasting of the synthetic cords.

cheers, and.
 

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