That Thermos mugs only keep coffee hot for 2 hours and not the 5-8 I stupidly wrongly assumed (Should have read details). Thought it would be good for quick drink in morning with faffing with stove etc.
What have you learned recently?
- Thread starter Stringmaker
- Start date
Well done mate, pleased for you, it's waaaaaaaay more satisfying than the bow drill isnt it?
i've learnt that when you use white spirit to get tree sap out of your shirt you need to prewash it before putting it in the washing machine because it makes the machine stink of white spirit.
i have also learnt it is also not easy to get rid of the smell.
i have also learnt it is a very very good way to upset swmbo.
i have also learnt it is also not easy to get rid of the smell.
i have also learnt it is a very very good way to upset swmbo.
Congrats mate. That's one of the hightpoints of your bushcraft career
Thanks Niels and Kepis,
I feel like I have joined a very elite club. All I have to do now is to toughen up my hands so I can do it without the soft grip tape you can see on the elder, but right now I am dead chuffed. It took a lot of analysing to give myself a better chance and I will never forget it; first bow drill ember was special but this tops it.
I learned that as well as elder, a small hazel tip works well with the hand drill if you use thumb loops.
If you don't have the time/inclination to develop palms like a blacksmith then grip tape and thumb loops are your friends!
If you don't have the time/inclination to develop palms like a blacksmith then grip tape and thumb loops are your friends!
I learned that striking down on quartz with piece of large hacksaw blade makes plenty of sparks, and that putting the CC underneath seems to catch more than on top (as I've seen done).
One Question please:
What is the base wood for hand drill if the spindle is elder? Many thanks and congratulations!
One Question please:
What is the base wood for hand drill if the spindle is elder? Many thanks and congratulations!
In this country at least, the popular hearth wood for hand drill is clematis, which is what I used. It needs to be soft and relatively less dense than bow drill hearth woods as the mechanical effort used is less.
Having said that; I also learned recently that by using thumb loops and grip tape then my old favourite of pallet wood seems to work too.
Thanks!
Cheers Stringmaker. One more question? Where do you go looking for a piece of clematis thick enough to make a hunk of hearthwood? Excuse the serf's ignorance miludd.
You aren't ignorant at all; you are interested and want to learn more, there is a big difference.
Clematis is often known as "Traveller's Delight" because it flowers in hedegrows all over the place. You only need a piece about the thickness of a matchbox and about 6 inches long so you will probably find a dead or broken piece easily enough.
Believe me, once you start down this road there's no turning back; have fun along the way!
Despite some peoples most sincere assurances and numerous written promises, they really cant keep to their word and keep their side of the bargain and do what they promised to do.
Unfortunately an increasing fact of life mate, there seems to be less and less of us that stand by our word, i am continually disappointed and frustrated by what you describe when i really should know better by now.
A sign of the times i'm afraid.
I learned that a nice sharp piece of flint works superbly as a striker on a ferro rod.
I now plan to make a "stone age" striker and match the old and new technology as my standard set up.
Picture to follow when I've done it.
I now plan to make a "stone age" striker and match the old and new technology as my standard set up.
Picture to follow when I've done it.
