Choosing wood for bowdrill sets

[Dark Horse Dave]

I've just come across this little tip from an American knife forum. I've not tried it myself as yet, but in theory it seems sensible - well, mostly anyway! :

The wood I chose is a Willow branch I found around. I like willow, it works, not as well as cedar IMHO, but it will work. Use the fingernail, lip test to make sure any wood you find is workable. If your fingernail will leave a dent (not gouge) its got the right hardness, and the lip test. LOL The way I do it is pucker up and just give it a little kiss, no tongue though, weirdos. Your lips will tell you if the wood is wet, or dry.​

If anyone wants to view the whole thread, which is very picture heavy and features my personal faves - Becker knives - you'll find it here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796822

I think it's a worth a look even if you are not keen on Beckers; it's a very nice step-by-step photo guide to making and using a bowdrill set from scratch.

Cheers all

 

[MountainWolf]

I just want to share my experiences with bowdrill. So i've started using bowdirll in September and i've experimeted with different wood types. I'm from Europe (Slovenia) so I never tried yucca and cedar for making fire with bowdrill.

These are the woods I made fire using bowdrill:

Board:|Spindle:|Comment:
Willow | Willow| My 1st set. Really easy to make good ember
Willow | Basswood| Also good combo for beginner
Basswood | Basswood |I think this is best combo for beginners
Aspen | Aspen | Bit harder to make ember than Basswood
Hazel | Hazel | Same as aspen on aspen
Aspen | Hazel | Harder than Aspen on Aspen but still works fine
Aspen | Beech | Managed to get good ember
Beech | Beech | I've managed to create ember but it's HARD

Here is a video of me making fire with bowdrill using Aspen on Aspen [video=youtube;908WJ7PQST8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=908WJ7PQST8[/video]

 

[Stanleythecat]

Sorry but what is basswood?

Leo

 

[stuart f]

Sorry but what is basswood?

Leo

Hi leo,Basswood is American lime(Tilia americana).

You could just use our lime species here in the uk.

Hope this helps
Cheers Stuart.

 

[Melonfish]

oooh i'm coppicing some willow soon, reckon i'll grab some and dry it ready start with the easy stuff

 

[MountainWolf]

Yeah Basswood is just normal Lime. I'we used lime growing in Slovenia.