I had the chance to show the bow-drill to an old friend the other day. He and I used to play together as kids and we often used to try stuff like bow-drill and the like whilst playing over the fields or up the woods.
Well, now his own kids are older than we were when we met, and I was round at his place felling some trees for him and I decided that we'd light the resulting bonfire "properly". I'd taken by bow-drill set with me with a variety of drills and hearths for the purpose. With a suitable audience of him, his Mrs, their two boys and his in-laws gathered to watch the "Miracle of Fire by friction" demonstration I got the bow-drill out...
"Remember how we used to try and light fires with sticks 'n' stuff mate? Well, since I've learned that the bow has to be far more rigid than an archers bow, and to use the right wood it's become so much easier..."
In only 4 passes of the bow and I had a lovely glowing coal ! (admit it, you all thought I was going to say I couldn't manage it in front of an audience )
"Oh" says my mate. "I never realised it was just a case of getting the right wood", and with that they all wandered off !
Talk about an ego deflator!
Well, now his own kids are older than we were when we met, and I was round at his place felling some trees for him and I decided that we'd light the resulting bonfire "properly". I'd taken by bow-drill set with me with a variety of drills and hearths for the purpose. With a suitable audience of him, his Mrs, their two boys and his in-laws gathered to watch the "Miracle of Fire by friction" demonstration I got the bow-drill out...
"Remember how we used to try and light fires with sticks 'n' stuff mate? Well, since I've learned that the bow has to be far more rigid than an archers bow, and to use the right wood it's become so much easier..."
In only 4 passes of the bow and I had a lovely glowing coal ! (admit it, you all thought I was going to say I couldn't manage it in front of an audience )
"Oh" says my mate. "I never realised it was just a case of getting the right wood", and with that they all wandered off !
Talk about an ego deflator!