Firecraft: The Standard Bow Drill

Fire is one of the most valuable assets a human can possess in any wilderness scenario. Fire keeps you warm, provides light, cooks food, keeps away bugs, signals help and prevents unwanted visitors (larger predatory animals). Realizing the importance of this element, I spent last summer learning how to start fire's using multiple different techniques. Of all the techniques I practiced, the most efficient method of starting a fire (except for a good old fashion match or lighter) is using what is called a bow drill. The bow drill consists of a bow, spindle, handhold, and flat board.

• Bow: A curved branch with cordage tied to each end (I told you the para cord will com in handy)
• Spindle: The spindle should be a straight piece of wood, cylindrical in shape roughly 6-8 inches long and 1inch in diameter slightly pointed on one end and flat (maybe a slight bevel) on the other end.
• Handhold: This is a piece of wood that you will apply downward pressure on the spindle with
• Flatboard: This should be a flat piece of wood the same species as your spindle, with a shallow hole carved into it 1 inch in diameter and 1/8th of an inch deep. Then take a small v shaped notch out of the hole.

Now if have these items assembled, please watch the following video for the proper technique, by the great Ray Mears.

I have personally created fire this way on multiple occasions just for the shear fun of it. Bow drills take some time and practice to get the technique down. However once you do it is a rewarding experience and I can guarantee you will never take another match for granted.