Sand in friction firemaking

[Alessio]

I've been thinking, what would happen if you put some sand into the hearthboard when you are trying to create an ember with a fire bow? [Not sure about my terminology there, but I hope you understand what I mean =]]

It just occurred to me when I tried to brush some off my arm and it heated up by quite a significant degree. It wasnt painful or anything, but I tried it on my other arm and the friction wasnt as great. Any thoughts on this?

 

[jdlenton]

I use a pinch of sand and a little charcoal quite a bit it doesn't half help get the drill going no glazing nothing just heat smoke and coal starting to build

 

[Peter_t]

never used it in firelighting but it works wonders if your using it for drilling


pete

 

[Stanleythecat]

When bedding in the drill I use a pinch of sand (if available), it is very abrasive though so too much rubbing can send the drill on its merry way through the hearth board far too quickly. So after the board and drill have a nice fit I knock the sand out and carry on.

jdlenton's suggestion of charcoal dust is a good one too. I sometimes 'chalk' the end of the drill with some charcoal, this does seem to make for easier fire lighting.

 

[stuart f]

Hi folks,there is some good info in this book,about page 4 onwards.
More to do with the hand drill,but the native Americans used to use Charcoal and Sand to help with getting an ember.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...dq=native+california&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

Happy reading.
Cheers Stuart.

 

[Neumo]

I have seen a small bit of sand added to a bowdrill hearth in a video & have meant to give it a go. Interesting about the charcol as well. I might give that a go this weekend if it does not rain

 

[Hitecrednek]

with dry wood it itsn't needed; but if the wood is a bit too green I add a bit.

 

[MrEd]

didnt mearsy do this on one of his earlier programs with some bushmen somewhere?

 

[Asa Samuel]

didnt mearsy do this on one of his earlier programs with some bushmen somewhere?

Yep, they used sand and charcoal with the hand drill.

 

[bikething]

didnt mearsy do this on one of his earlier programs with some bushmen somewhere?

Yep, they used sand and charcoal with the hand drill.

Having just come back from spending time with the San bushmen in Namibia - that's exactly what they did to help things along when the sticks on their own weren't working

 

[WolfCrafter]

Well I'm impressed with your observation skills Alessio, you came up with the idea through thought and observation without even knowing it was already out there!! .. A sign of a good eye for it! I've often wondered how ancient man had his brainwaves, to take things to the next level.. obviously though observing one thing, and applying it to something else! .. (with some trial and error thrown in the mix!)