Last week I went to my daughters cub pack and did a quick demo on using a bow drill. I had a simple set up, sycamore on sycamore, and explained I was no expert. My daughter volunteered me so I thought I why not.
In the dim light of dusk it went fine and we got a nice ember which showed up really well, transferred to a honey suckle/birch bark/thistle and reedmace tinder bundle, blow, blow, blow pop and some nice flames. Job done.
Then the scout leader came over and said 'have you done hand drill?'. I haven't, I've tried a few times and realise from reading on here that it requires a lot of dedication. I explained I was unsure of the best drill/hearth materials and as such wouldn't know if I really even had a chance. He said he had... first time he tried... hmm. He said he was whittling a piece of hazel and thought 'i'll give it a go'. hazel drill on hazel board and old man's beard for tinder.
I'm not a competitive chap, I'm happy if he has done it and would love it if I could actually see it being done under my nose, but part of me can't help thinking that he was marking his territory!
So hazel on hazel? first ever attempt... what do you guys think?!
Leo
In the dim light of dusk it went fine and we got a nice ember which showed up really well, transferred to a honey suckle/birch bark/thistle and reedmace tinder bundle, blow, blow, blow pop and some nice flames. Job done.
Then the scout leader came over and said 'have you done hand drill?'. I haven't, I've tried a few times and realise from reading on here that it requires a lot of dedication. I explained I was unsure of the best drill/hearth materials and as such wouldn't know if I really even had a chance. He said he had... first time he tried... hmm. He said he was whittling a piece of hazel and thought 'i'll give it a go'. hazel drill on hazel board and old man's beard for tinder.
I'm not a competitive chap, I'm happy if he has done it and would love it if I could actually see it being done under my nose, but part of me can't help thinking that he was marking his territory!
So hazel on hazel? first ever attempt... what do you guys think?!
Leo