Advanced Tips For A Successful Bowdrill Fire

Advanced Tips For A Successful Bowdrill Fire
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This video was made and produced in Austria.

[@SurvivalLilly]

BIG NEWS: I have designed my own Survival Knife called “APO-1”. You can get it now at my online store: www.survivallilly.at/ Thank you so much for your support

[@emlillthings7914]

Cool vid, liked your little pointers like the notch, as spindle-length, which as you pointed out, most do differently. You play around with axes by any chance? There is an axe-challenge going via the channel 'Skillcult', and we only have one lady swinging. Would be cool if you could join in as well

[@robertocampostorro8588]

Survival Lilly

[@mattrohan7274]

when you mentioned native survival video from mitch were you referring to mitch mitchell? his leaf raft when he was on alone was genius

[@Scoobydooshoe]

That was the most technical explanation of the bow drill I have seen yet, which shouldn't surprise anyone, I mean you are German after all. Bravo.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Very good instructional video. You covered a lot of the basics as well as some things not so well known. Good job Lilly

[@SurvivalLilly]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival Thanks Lonnie :)

[@jasond7176]

Wow Lilly, that was the best tutorial I have seen on bow drill. You did an absolutely excellent job explaining all the things that nobody else seems to mention, but are critical to know. Thank you. Much appreciated !!!

[@woodscrafter1971]

Wow, it's amazing how just a few tips can help so much! Just using a longer bow and increasing the size of the notch in the fireboard has helped so much...Thank you!!

[@SurvivalLilly]

+Rick Falk awesome :)

[@binaryglitch64]

You just made a bowdrill video 6 months ago, but this one from 6 years ago made me a better teacher because you helped me articulate things I knew but didn't know how to explain.

[@budwilliams6590]

This is, I believe, the most professional and informative video I have ever seen on this subject.

[@gcoutdoors904]

i would just like to say that your thumbnail is awesome. it looks like your starting a fire by singing to kindling

[@Red19UK]

One of the most informative videos Ive seen on this topic, thanks Lilly.

[@guitymon]

I've watched at least half a dozen videos on bow drilling and this was bar far the best. Been waiting for an up close detailed shot of a fire board. Good tips as well . Thank you!

[@Nativesurvival]

That was very kind of you, thanks Lilly; nice job on the ember and vid. Be well.

[@semco72057]

The way you start a fire using that technique is fantastic. You are so good at surviving there in Austria, and Canada and hope you have equal success in Africa living in the wild.

[@iamdrc227]

Great Tips! What you say about technique makes a lot of sense. Seen a hundred videos on making a bow drill and no one ever took the time to explain why they do what they do. By explaining the why, it helps to remember the how.

[@DaDon131313]

Thank you for the info. I've watched your previous videos on bow drilling, and I have to say this is the most informative yet. Some good tips I want to try soon.

[@ShasCho]

Best bowdrill video I've ever seen. Excellent instruction!

[@garyleelookadoojr4182]

Thanks for the tips. My experience with friction fires hasn't been the best do the more I can learn maybe something will click and I'll get it to work. Especially as I'm moving up in years. Thanks again Ms. Lilly. God bless you and your family for all that you do.

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

Nice demonstration, I find there are so many variables with bow drill method, it's journey of discovery, and what works for you. Many thanks

[@alanjohnson1204]

Great video, I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks now, the only thing that I would like to add and I saw it somewhere on KZbin, is to use some pre-stretched leather (like from a belt) on your bow. I tried that and it's soooo much easier to adjust to different sizes of spindle. I'm using a strip about half an inch wide and grips very well..

[@markcash2]

I need to try that! Thanks for this tip!

[@leepearce5875]

Great video as always, Lilly. I made a bearing block using a chip of oak wood and a bearing from a roller skate. Works nice and sweet. Keep the videos coming, and I'll keep sharing them.

[@zekemarzell2861]

Nice job, it brings me back to when I was a kid first learning the ropes of bow drilling, I'm in the process of getting myself a new set together, I would like to hit up the forested areas and will be leaving for New York tomorrow to check out the scenes as well as the forests. Keep on living everyone, stay safe and use your senses, peace

[@bluetickbeagles116]

Great video. You are the most skilled, experienced and thorough instructor I’ve ever watched. Outstanding!

[@TonchyShultz]

Lilly ..very good explanation and technik ..looks easy but many people don't have patient ..you are good ! Greeting from AB. Canada!

[@geegnosis8888]

That was one of the best explanations of why one way versus another. Thank you Lilly.

[@RichardBondCreative]

hey Lilly, I've been trying to make my first bowdrill fire for 2 days, and you've already addressed all the issues I've been having - and I'm only half way through your video! thanks for posting, liked and subbed, looking forward to more!

[@dannybaker4641]

As long as one wood is softer than the other then one of them has to make smoke and therefore an ember.Makes perfect sense.Thanks Lilly.

[@aktrapper6126]

Nice teaching on the bow drill Lilly. The native Americans in the north west coast had to keep constant vigilance to keep the friction fire tools dry because it rained all the time. I think if I was in a survival situation I would make a set before my modern means ran out. Then I would have time to dry the set by the fire before I needed it.

[@gundog5]

+Catherine Perrett You got it. That's the right idea. Freshly found materials usually add to the challenge, depending on the environment. Having multiple proven friction fire sets available is another option if modern means ran out (or weren't available). Drying a set or two by the fire can make life easier the next time around.

[@NorwegianWoods]

Thanks for the tips. I have done this a few times and it gets easier every time. After watching this it probably gets even easier :) - Martin

[@HyperJoe]

Great Video Lilly, I've always had problems finding the right wood as I live in the Arizona High Deserts, I see You've listed some that would work for Me, awesome! Also the trick with using a wider notch, I'm anxious to try that, thanks for all the Great Tips! Keep the awesome Vids coming.. :)

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

Thank you Lilly. I like to practice this method and usually do OK, but the tip about the wider notch in hearth board and being not so near to the centre is a tip that I will try next time out. All the best. Regards, Shane , Isle of Wight England.

[@bluejeans8001]

Very useful information , thanks a bunch for all your videos.

[@breker19er]

Great economy of motion with the bow! Haha super cool you did a shout for Mitch with native survival!!

[@jimboucher3128]

Best tips I've heard yet. You make it look easy.

[@redriver6541]

Excellent video. Good job. Thank You for sharing this. Love from KY in the USA.

[@donwilson9939]

Thanks for the vid. I have not been able to successfully use a fire bow but hopefully your tips will help. Once again, thank you.

[@sixstring417]

thank you for showing the results of all your research and experimentation it sure has paid off to a technique that works so well!

[@3flashcan]

Lilly and Dax . I've followed you since your first video. And l just wanted to say how much you have evolved since your first one . Awesome! And I like your natural hair color better . I'm a Barber so I notice people's hair . I think that a lot of women have gotten breast cancer and other cancers because of putting the strong dyes and perms on there hair . Bad chemicals that your skin soaks up. And I said once before I think you made a brake through by using the larger spindle to make a bow drill . So many people use small spindles and they never or takes them forever to get a fire started . So please keep up the great videos . I know it's hard to come up with ideas . But it doesn't hurt to go back and cover old ones with improved ideas to the old ones. And Dax what can you say . He is such a ham and a crazy dog . He makes me laugh everytime you show him. Loves rolling around in the woods. And may I say your English has gotten much better . In some of your older videos some words were hard to understand. But not anymore. LOL! I tryed to learn the Germany language . But I have to much trouble speaking English. And I'm from the States. LOL! Thanks Lilly and Dax.

[@colemanfarkas5481]

love your technique, very dialed and methodical. thanks for the knowledge!

[@alindastar4297]

Very good tips especially the skate board trick and I loved the way you turned the coal after placing the tinder bundle on top.

[@2514ben88]

This one of the best video I have seen for Bowdrill Fire thank-you

[@E.lectricityNorth]

Great instructions and demonstration Lilly, thank you!!

[@nickdunbar2967]

Cool Lilly. I'm going to have a go over the weekend. Thanks!

[@munchh2007]

great tips Lilly. i will be giving it a go as soon as i am able. the skate wheel is perfect!

[@jimjeffries2735]

Excellent tips, Lilly! You are doing a great job educating us...keep it up.

[@kennethjones3887]

Congratulations, another great video and more great tips! Have you ever used a cord drill or a pump drill? They seem much easier to me.

[@jhenry0615]

Excellent tips. Just want to add another reason the outside "dust" is hotter than the inside is because the spindle is spinning faster on the perimeter than in the center. Good work!

[@Coltrabagar]

Great tips. A lot of "little" things that make a big difference.

[@kensbugoutjourney3556]

Thanks for the video Lilly. My challenge this week is to learn how to make and use a bowdrill. I guess we will find out next week. I'll be sure to pop back over here and let ya know how it goes.

[@donbrink1954]

Pretty good video. If I may add a couple of things. I lubricate my hand hold with oil from the outside of my nose and hair , or ear wax (which is the best). I also use a thinner bow with a slight curve and grab the back of the string between my thumb and pointer finger so I can instantly control the tension (increase for slippage or decrease for binding) throughout the process.

[@johnbrowniv]

Very instructive. So much misinformation on this topic Nothing like trial and error! Thank you.

[@Darignobullseye]

Thank you. This has been the best help EVER!! I so needed all these details. Thank you!!

[@kodiakcopilot]

Good tips. Definitely will change my bow drilling game.

[@alaskankare]

great tips! I have just seen a couple of videos from a guy in my neck of the woods on native alaskan techniques where they cut a ledge into the board to hold them ember at Far North Bushcraft and Survival. Thanks for your tips Lilly

[@jackhicks5904]

Thanks for the amazing tips! I definitely plan on using some of these!

[@Ponky2484]

Wow thank you so much for the great tips!

[@amrasurvival5580]

great video thanks for breaking it down to the basics easy to understand directions thanks for sharing

[@badbadbob1]

I love you. Oh wait, I love your roller blade bearing block Idea. Its round, fits your hand so well and never needs adjusted. When I use my bowdrill set with the new improve roller blade wheel. I will tell them Survival Lilly who I am now Subscriber to taught me this. Thankyou.

[@patrickgermond2750]

I was just thinking how far you've come. I remember when you just looked like a kid going camping. Now you are a peer reviewed, award winning, expert in woodcraft, prepping, and all around survival skills. And a an expert on a dozen other topics too. I feel old

[@Bushcraftnic]

Yeaaaahhh A nice and good video about using a bowdril!!! hard to find! you are sharing a lot of good knowlege Lilly. Thank you

[@CrankyPantss]

Always full of great information. Thank you for sharing your time with us.

[@stevegartman113]

Lilly I bet you father is so proud of you! the average man doesn't know half the survival skills you've demostrated. love the videos!

[@EatCarbs]

I was told by someone that my bow was to long... but I was using the whole thing. Thanks for the video

[@TheIbkiss]

excellent instructions again, I was struggling when I started trying to use a bow drill. after watching this video I have fire!!! Thank You.

[@skeledon]

Awesome video and very informative. Awesome job Survival Lilly 😊

[@TheRebel531]

Great and informative video, Lily (as usual, LOL). I have tried bow drilling with not much success in the past. I don't think it is my technique or construction as much as my choices of the woods I use. It's almost like getting the right combo is harder than it seems. How do you (and other "pros" get your spindles so perfect? I usually end up with one that has an arch to it no matter what I do. Maybe I just need to practice more all around. Keep up the great vids (how bout an over-nighter in a snow storm???) ~ Vinny

[@bushcampat]

Vielen Dank für das informative Video, dein Englisch ist großartig, Alex

[@arciafrench993]

Just found your channel & really enjoy it. I passed it on to my siblings. Love the outdoors but finding it increasingly frustrating because of the growing amount of ticks here in N.H.

[@hangswithraccoons]

These are some great tips! Thanks a ton! I love your channel!

[@BASurvival]

great advice on bow drill tips lilly , thanx for sharing

[@drutgat2]

Hi Lilly, I really enjoyed this video, and thought that it was full of wonderful tips for making and using a bow drill. I noted in one of your other videos on this subject that you had a problem using tree roots as 'string' / cord for the bow; I am mentioning this because I do not think that you mentioned that in this video, and it seems to be an important consideration. Many thanks.

[@parjacpar3077]

Thanks for those tips Lilly never tried it myself now I will

[@geneschindler9537]

Very good video I had good luck like 5 times but lately I don't know what I'm doing wrong now, but I'm going to keep trying Thanks for the demo

[@Stevetaylor099]

Very informative and highly important information for survival Lilley, thank you for sharing

[@ivanhita4726]

Took ur advice and it worked! Ur awesome!!!

[@jackpalek2978]

Very well done! Thank you for this and all your other work on online.

[@Sirskibumsalot]

Hey Just wanted to say I have never made a fire this way before ....I watched your video and and saw what I was doing wrong and got a good fire going today ....so thanks for the tips !!

[@sparkyfromel]

Love the roller-skate wheel , all old time hunters would be drooling thinking about it here in Australia , they pack the drill with dry grass to keep all the heat

[@donaldgarmon7368]

Another Great Video Lilly! Thank You!

[@burtonator]

Great video. You're right about forward to back instead of side to side. Forward to back uses your back, chest, tricep and bicep muscles which are very strong. If you go side to side you're using your deltoids (shoulder muscle) which is about 1/3rd to 1/5th as strong. Plus you might injure yourself.

[@e.whawkins7211]

Thanks! im going to have to try that wide notch now

[@michaelsupple6081]

I love your videos and I appreciate your honesty as in the last minute of this video. :) I do believe you are the real deal. Thanks.

[@michaelkarloff8117]

Best bow drill instructions

[@wesleytillman9774]

Excellent video. Very useful information. You're the best.

[@PaulOutdoors]

Great video Lilly as always. Thank you for sharing. Happy wandering. Paul :)

[@allegro9279]

I'm a new subscriber & LIKED you on FB. I LOVE what I'm seeing & learning. Thank you Lily.

[@GBE]

Great video! I'm going to try this. Awesome insight and knowledge. Cheers! I'm a new fan!

[@sammyboy1024]

Awesome tips and your shelter is amazing

[@christopherellis2663]

very good exposition! I found that one needs to have a floating arm by which the hand moves in a line, not a curve. Never push and pull, simply allow it to move back and forth. That's my two cents worth.

[@415mazer6]

Awesome video Lilly, thank you so much!

[@MrJonnabob]

Thanks Lilly! I've done it but I've really struggled!

[@dannym332456]

Thank you. I've learned a lot from your videos. Keep it up, please

[@hangassan]

Great video, as usual...primitive fire starting is a lot of work, and takes a lot of skills, practice, and preparation to pull it off...having said that, the only type of primitive fire starting I have never had to use is hand drilling. After starting a fire when the chips are down, you are soaking wet. and hypothermia is setting in, one realizes there is absolutely no reason at all ever to go into the wilds without a lighter...and a waterproof case of matches...and a fire steel...and I usually have a Fresnel lens as well ...if one method doesn't work another will...primitive skills are good, especially in the long-term, but in a pinch those lifeboat style matches that go off like a flare are your best friend ever...

[@stuartbrei2742]

I love to watch your videos ur great keep it up

[@dougLinker]

good tips all around -never was one to carry a premade set or mix the woods either -thx for the vid :)

[@davidmashburn9243]

Very instructive, especially the part about spindles. Two suggestions, when not using the spindle, put it in a pocket so as to keep it as dry as you can. Laying the spindle on the ground is not good. It just takes the slightest bit of moisture to mess things . If you are using paracord for a bowdrill string, boil it in water for 3-4 minutes. This will eliminate the stretch which helps. David Mashburn

[@gundog5]

+David Mashburn It's a good idea to keep the set as dry as possible. Although, surface moisture is usually negligible. There's been several videos where folks would dunk the spindle & fireboard in a bucket of water, shake the water off and still get good success. It's the moisture content already in the wood that makes it challenging. I don't think it's necessary to boil the bowstring (paracord or any other type of cordage). Stretch is not necessarily a bad thing. Working with the bowstring is a better strategy.

[@davidmashburn9243]

+gundog5 I learn a new thing everyday, thanks to folks like you. I am the result of my experiences. Will definitely try that. Fire is an inexact science and I strive to learn as much as I can through experience. David Mashburn

[@anatoly_42]

Thank you so so so much!

[@manuelhernandez7225]

great video as always, just had one question, what's the rope your using for your bow.

[@wesg6243]

Great video. lots of good info! have you tried using the lanyard hole in your SRK as a berring block?

[@tallcedars2310]

Yup, I have no strength to get black powder.... Can get embers one after the other using a cordless drill, but try as I might, I can't get black powder, hence no embers to form. Will try the longer bow drill, but my other half can't get anything but brown powder either, so wonder what we are doing that needs improving. Great video, thanks and keep 'em coming!

[@markcash2]

The longer bow gives you more of a power stroke, and the thicker spinde gives you a faster friction contact on the circumference. Follow Lilly's example and you should have an easier time getting the black dust and ember. Just don't do like me and use too small of a piece of wood for the bearing on top. It can get too hot before you get an ember.

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

good to see someone talking sense!

[@sventhomas1181]

Thanks Lilly your tips are useful to me . Try it several times but failed . But i keep on trying .all the best from munich Dante