Bow Drill is Easier With a Smaller Diameter Spindle And a Looser Bowstring!

If you struggle with Bow Drill because it's too physically demanding for you, try this. Use smaller spindles that are no larger than 3/4 to 5/8" diameter and loosen your bowstring. The bowstring should be just tight enough to drive the spindle. If you misjudge the appropriate tension you can easily use your thumb to increase it.
I know that some of our favorite Bow Drill experts on KZbin use very large diameter spindles... All I can figure is that they must be very powerful people. (You can not really judge how powerful someone is by how small or large they appear to be).
If you've given up on Bow Drill for these reasons, please give it another try. You'll be shocked at the difference. Don't forget to come back and share your success story in the comments. THANKS!
Please SUBSCRIBE at the end of the video.
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[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

If you struggle with Bow Drill because it's too physically demanding for you, try this. Use smaller spindles that are no larger than 3/4 to 5/8" diameter and loosen your bowstring. The bowstring should be just tight enough to drive the spindle. If you misjudge the appropriate tension you can easily use your thumb to increase it. I know that some of our favorite Bow Drill experts on KZbin use very large diameter spindles... All I can figure is that they must be very powerful people. (You can not really judge how powerful someone is by how small or large they appear to be). If you've given up on Bow Drill for these reasons, please give it another try. You'll be shocked at the difference. Don't forget to come back and share your success story in the comments. THANKS! Please SUBSCRIBE at the end of the video. OTHER HOW TO BOW DRILL VIDEOS YOU WILL ENJOY: The Best Bow Drill Tutorial I've Ever Made.... Red Maple, Bark Tinder Bundle, Fatwood Bearing Block kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5rUoohjet6taKc Make your first Bow Drill ember using as many cheats as you need to... then improve your skills. Frustrated and Given Up on Bow Drill??? Try a 2x4 and Cheat Bearing Block kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp7SiKJnipyamqM How To Bow Drill, For intermediately skilled enthusiasts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2OZfqhvfsqnq8U Bow Drill, My Little EDC Stanley Pocket Knife, EVERYTHING "On The Spot" Made kzbin.info/www/bejne/eauceoSipcydjJY Bow Drill, I Only used a Victorinox Fieldmaster, Swiss Army Knife and Freshly Found Materials kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXjaZKOCmKalpq8

[@wildthoughts6959]

David, let's talk physics . The thinner the bar , the more rotations you will get . In other words, the RPM goes higher if you reduce the bar thickness. More PRM means more friction , i.e. the ignition would start easier and sooner. DO this test: In the same bar, carve a thinner section , and run the bow's rope in that curvature . Means you will get more rotation because the curvature is thinner than the rest of the bar. Fire should start faster. OR if you have a looong 10" screw : Cut the head of your wood bar and drive the screw in it. Then try spinning the screw with the bow . Fire will start quick . If no screw, use 4 millimeter iron bar and hammer a pointy piece of wood at the end of it , and spin. BTW, I loved your video

[@wildthoughts6959]

If you use a screw, you must cut-off its butt so it would spin fast in upper section near your hand.

[@VanishingNomad]

As for smoke on the bearing block: I never have smoke out of the bearing block. Yes, I do lube it. I generally crush up green leaves so I have minimal friction on the top. You get a faster spin that way.

[@Flashbackjacko]

The smaller diameter spindle would also give you more spindle revolutions per bow stroke and that should help.

[@VanishingNomad]

I have also found that longer spindles help too. You are have a better mechanical advantage because your body can be in better alignment with a longer spindle.

[@timalmen6134]

I've watched a lot of firemaking videos from a great many different folks here on KZbin, but I consider you the foremost trusted source for information. The amount of time you have spent experimenting and mastering firemaking techniques (particularly bow drill) has made you and your videos an invaluable resource. I haven't ventured into the bow drill yet, but I know that when I do, I will come to it armed with useful tips gained from your experiences, and I'm confident I'll have some success much sooner than I otherwise would. Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge! All the best to you, Dave!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Tim!

[@fsj197811]

Thanks for sharing.

[@quercus417]

Fire prep is most important. I have made a lot of coals with conyza canadensis "horseweed" and willow or cedar hearth board and ended up with a wonderful campfire. I enjoy your videos they are very informative. Thank You.

[@Taromovies]

yes agree, but depending on the wood combination a larger diameter may work also not too bad, don't get me wrong I'm not prefer it, the smallest spindle I use was beech with 6mm diameter (bought it form the Flower Store 🙂) the whole set fits in one open hand, thanks for your demonstration, kind regards, Taro

[@wildthoughts6959]

David, let's talk physics . The thinner the bar , the more rotations you will get . In other words, the RPM goes higher if you reduce the bar thickness. More PRM means more friction , i.e. the ignition would start easier and sooner. DO this test: In the same bar, carve a thinner section , and run the bow's rope in that curvature . Means you will get more rotation because the curvature is thinner than the rest of the bar. Fire should start faster. OR if you have a looong 10" screw : Cut the head of your wood bar and drive the screw in it. Then try spinning the screw with the bow . Fire will start quick . If no screw, use 4 millimeter iron bar and hammer a pointy piece of wood at the end of it , and spin.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

You didn't consider downward pressure nor optimal speed to bore through a fireboard to make the best dust without glazing the divot and spindle tip nor the ability of the bowstring to grip a spindle without slipping. Please visit my bow drill playlist.

[@thomasgold-1000]

Thanks for the great advice David!

[@wesg3084]

You know a man is a hardcore bushcrafter when he even uses 550 for his sneaker shoelaces. :-)

[@ronwilliams9884]

I've often wondered about the history of bowdrill. Imagine the reaction of those witnessing it the first couple of times. God like powers.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Must have freaked people out!

[@alienphysics8592]

I would like to see some tests involving a spindle that has a "V" notch cut into the working end, thus allowing air to flow to the friction area ........ said "V" notch could also be packed with flammable material ... e.g. fine shavings of fat wood, char cloth .... etc .

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Sorry, no... but let me know what you come up with.

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good information David

[@outofeden_bushcraft3142]

I agree David . I just taught my son the same thing . Don't know why people feel they have to make it almost impossible to get the spindle in . 👍

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Some make it so tight that it makes an hourglass shape in the spindle. Takes a lot of wasted energy to drive a spindle that is so tightly wrapped. Some here still disagree with that. Oh well, all I can do is put the info out there.

[@outofeden_bushcraft3142]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl That's true brother . Hey watch my last video teaching my son if you get a chance .

[@vancemccolm6309]

Great Information! I am in the process of making a bow drill set for the first time and really don't know what I am doing...

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Check out my How to Bow Drill Playlist.

[@GetUrPhil]

Plus the fatter your spindle, the less rotations you are getting causing you to work harder to get the heat required.

[@leemcgann6470]

Does the fatter spindle spin better? If it does why not just make the ember end smaller?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Leaving the body of the spindle fat makes for lower RPMs... buuuut... that's not a problem, so much, because one can just bow a little bit longer to compensate. Your suggestion is a perfectly good alternative, especially with all the diving grain that happened to be in this one.

[@countsmyth]

My bearing block always smokes more than my heart board! Why is this???

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Good thing if it's fatwood, otherwise it needs lube. See my bearing blocks playlist.

[@mamasgonecreating1967]

David, have you ever tried the pump drill set up? If so, how was your success?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It doesn't interest me.

[@mamasgonecreating1967]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl ok. Thank you..

[@kimmcmillan8986]

What kind of string do you use for the bow string

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Paracord mostly.

[@mazwar8751]

David. Have you ever tried the difference between a tight and loose string when using a curved bow stick? (I know you prefer a straight bow stick).I always seem to have more success with a tight string and a curved stick, but maybe I'm making myself work harder than necessary?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes. Although we should always use a "just tight enough" bowstring, there are times, while bowing, when I want to super tighten it with my thumb. I've noticed that curved bows will just bend in, instead of allowing me the tightness I'm needing at the time. That's the main reason I don't like them curved too much.

[@Flazhness]

I've been trying to do this for a couple days now and I've tried with different species of wood, but I seem to struggle with one thing in particular. When you start the get a char and the smokes starts rising, I always encounter so much friction that I sometimes just have dead stops and struggle to actually push or pull on the bow. It's infuriating as it is right when it gets critical to keep going. But 4 days in and I still have not managed a single ember.. Tried many different variations and combinations of wood, no succes. My brother made 2 embers the other day with one of the sets I had made, I still could not overcome the friction at the critical moments.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Please check out my Bow Drill playlist. There's a lot more to know than just solving your friction and dead stops problem.