friction fire for scouts

[rich59]

I will be having a session (2 sessions in fact) with some scouts later this year on fire by friction. I am not including sparks even though it is technically friction (as is the common match).

Any advice please on methods that they are likely to succeed with. I reckon that joint effort is the way they are most likely to succeed:-

Bow drill?
Hand drill?
Fire Saw?
Others?

 

[stovie]

I'm about to do the same sort of thing with my troop. Primitive fire lighting will only be part of the whole bushcraft/survival topic, but I was planning to get them to try bow drill.

They are very keen as there is a £10 prize on offer for the first one to get a smouldering coal...it has remained on offer since last september

 

[Jeff Wagner]

The giant spindle set up I have posted here in the past has been a huge success with youngsters. Also for your consideration is the non-bow cord wrapped spindle where two people face each other - one powers the cord and the other applies downward force to the spindle. I have witnessed a young lady of about 11 or 12 years old get a coal this way.

 

[stovie]

.... Also for your consideration is the non-bow cord wrapped spindle where two people face each other - one powers the cord and the other applies downward force to the spindle. I have witnessed a young lady of about 11 or 12 years old get a coal this way.

Good idea Jeff. Hadn't thought of that. I have a few dyspraxic scouts (cack-handed in non-PC ) who will find that a bit easier

 

[rich59]

The giant spindle set up I have posted here in the past has been a huge success with youngsters. Also for your consideration is the non-bow cord wrapped spindle where two people face each other - one powers the cord and the other applies downward force to the spindle. I have witnessed a young lady of about 11 or 12 years old get a coal this way.

That would be more or less the same method except the scale. Sounds pretty cool, but how do you get a chance to practice before hand? Maybe I need a session with the other leaders first. It is nice to succeed with youngsters.

Fire saw anyone? Any success with groups?

Hand drill - when I was learning I took turns with a 10 year old and we both got smoke with our efforts.

 

[Jeff Wagner]

That would be more or less the same method except the scale. Sounds pretty cool, but how do you get a chance to practice before hand? Maybe I need a session with the other leaders first. It is nice to succeed with youngsters.

Rich - I have seen this performed with kids on two occasions and both times successfully. While the kids powered the ropes and had no previous experience, leaders controlled the giant bearing block , provided the downward pressure and called out a cadence to coordinate the heavers and ho'ers.

 

[match]

Fire saw can be very hit and miss - for some reason a sawing motio seems to always be harder (for me anyway) to generate enough heat, in the right place, and catch the dust easily. Of course, this again may be a wood combination issue - as fire saw isn't something I've played with much.

the easiest way to use a bow drill is with three people - one to lean on the spindle, and then two folk on either end of a straight cord, pulling back and forth - this method is easy as it minimises the concentration and dexterity each person needs.

 

[Nathan Sturgess]

We did the bow drill method. Only for us it was the first to get tinder lit that gets the tenner, not the first with a coal. I had a go with a fire plough last weekend, it was only a half hearted attempt and it was snowing so I had no real chance with a tropical fire lighting technique. I am thinking of doing a primitive camp type thing in a couple of weeks with my patrol.