Last night whilst messing around at explorer scouts (The kids where behaving brilliantly of course) I thought I would have a(nother) go at bow drilling!
And here is the result (This was my first successful attempt so I am no expert)
The drill and hearth are of hazel, the top block is of box. and the bow was sycamore
Drill slowly at first to build a dust pile
As the smoke starts to increase, Drill fast with moderate pressure untill it feels as though your arm is fallling off, and the smoke seems to cling and swirl around the drill, it also goes a thick yellow color
Once you can not drill anymore remove the drill and bow trying not to disturbe the dust pile
At this point there seems to be no hurry!
Gently fan (with your hand or hat) your lightly smoking pile of dust, this can take a while, if it is going to catch the smoke will keep coming from the pile, if the smoke stops you have lost it!!
And hey presto from the bottom of the pile your glowing coal will apear
The first pile of embers i produced was easily transferd to a King Alfred's cake fungi (By rolling it on with the tip of a knife), from this point I know I can make fire. The second coal (Pictured) was left to smoulder to see how long it would burn (2.5 mins)
Oh and I made a 3rd this morning just because I can!
Boy oh boy when you read that it puts a smile on your face for a day or two, it truly does!
:You_Rock_ Thanks to Martin, Featherman,Trevody and Kata for the instruction and pics :You_Rock_
And here is the result (This was my first successful attempt so I am no expert)
The drill and hearth are of hazel, the top block is of box. and the bow was sycamore
Drill slowly at first to build a dust pile
As the smoke starts to increase, Drill fast with moderate pressure untill it feels as though your arm is fallling off, and the smoke seems to cling and swirl around the drill, it also goes a thick yellow color
Once you can not drill anymore remove the drill and bow trying not to disturbe the dust pile
At this point there seems to be no hurry!
Gently fan (with your hand or hat) your lightly smoking pile of dust, this can take a while, if it is going to catch the smoke will keep coming from the pile, if the smoke stops you have lost it!!
And hey presto from the bottom of the pile your glowing coal will apear
The first pile of embers i produced was easily transferd to a King Alfred's cake fungi (By rolling it on with the tip of a knife), from this point I know I can make fire. The second coal (Pictured) was left to smoulder to see how long it would burn (2.5 mins)
Oh and I made a 3rd this morning just because I can!
Boy oh boy when you read that it puts a smile on your face for a day or two, it truly does!
:You_Rock_ Thanks to Martin, Featherman,Trevody and Kata for the instruction and pics :You_Rock_
