Bow Drill Tip, Use A Large Square Point Notch For Wet Materials

When using wet materials for Bow Drill, I’ve had better success using a larger square point notch in my fire board. It allows more steam to escape, more air in, and keeps the notch from clogging.
Although not demonstrated in this video, an even better tip is learning how to use drying cycles (friction) to dry out just the divot and spindle tip. You’ll find that playlist below. Please Like and SUBSCRIBE. Thank You!
Bow Drill Playlist
• Bow Drill Playlist
Drying Cycles Playlist
• Drying Cycles Playlist

[@ClayTallStories]

It's so refreshing to see the fire master maker now work in damp conditions. It's hard enough even in dry, but as a survivalist, I can tell everyone that what this man just achieved takes extraordinary talent and strength.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I saw where you Subscribed a few weeks back so when YT recommended your "5 day..." video, I watched. Great survival techniques, beautiful video, and smart choices made throughout. Thank you!

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

We are most often taught to use a pie notch, and get in a rut that that is the only way to go about it. thanks for this slight modification reminder.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It made the difference in my last 2 wet materials bow drills. TY!

[@Guerrila_man]

I just cant stop loving this channel thank you David. Best anti strees on the internet.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Lol. TY!

[@kentgreenough75]

David, thank you so very much for pointing out the larger notch in damp conditions. That will truly be a life saver here in southwestern Finland. We don’t get the deep cold of Lapland, but we sure get the dampness off the Baltic Sea. Just so you know, you have reached 60 degrees North! As we say here in Finland, Kiitos!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Very interesting comment, Kiitos!

[@allenshariett5483]

It has been and still is a very hot humid summer in the south...I tip my hat....that was a true accomplishment. We've had some 95 plus temps with 115 heat index days in the south east....this was obviously one of them.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Fun, TY!

[@joehuber9168]

Thank you for sharing Mr west another great video 👍👌🔥 truly a great challenge.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

My pleasure!

[@MichaelR58]

Good demonstration David, thanks for sharing, God bless !

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks, you too!

[@oldbones9162]

Always cool! Well….wet.

[@RemixThief]

This is the supreme discipline of fire making! Even if it doesn't work, you get warm! 😅 Good job! 👍

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Lol! True.

[@gelanghaarteweile3048]

You get warm 3 times: making fire wood, making fire and enjoying the fire! :)

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Ain't it the truth!

[@CougarClan]

Pure talent! You are a master David! I don't hand those out lightly...

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Too kind. TY!

[@ARDG89]

dave. im glad you're still at it. i wonder though, are you ready for winter?! surely the fires will be more rewarding

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I enjoy the practice better during the other 3 seasons, for sure.

[@randyrussell6246]

After many many tries as a young teenager in the 70's , I got a coal and a fire and in the 80's and 90's I got coal and fire just to prove I could but it kicked my ass amd that was in perfect and dry conditions, had given up on wet or even damp conditions , your bow drill method and especially the bigger notch changes everything but with a Coal extender like I have adapted from your many videos .........Shazam ! Its almost like cheating !! I have added to some already good knowledge from people I come across in life and on the net but when it comes to starting a fire , you have given me the best instructions and tools of the lot of em ! Does not matter who was first or who is best at it, what matters is if you can Teach It so thank you for all your teachings . One question , Is there any , minerals , dust , sand , product etc . that could be put into the fireboard divot , that would contribute to making a coal ?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A common question. What you put in the divot is immediately deposited into the dust pile with no effect.

[@davidburkhalter8262]

Another great video! Thanks for taking the time and giving up the sweat to show us the way to make fire.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

My pleasure!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

When using wet materials for Bow Drill, I’ve had better success using a larger square point notch in my fire board. It allows more steam to escape, more air in, and keeps the notch from clogging. Although not demonstrated in this video, but an even better tip is learning how to use drying cycles (friction) to dry out just the divot and spindle tip. You’ll find that playlist below. Please Like and SUBSCRIBE. Thank You! Bow Drill Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3kw-EXlvpLS68aJjR89P4ae Drying Cycles Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3lZEP_PF0eMdaiJOg2ABhoS

[@randy-9842]

Very nicely done with great commentary along the way. I've never tried this method and have NO intention of trying it "now." I would not have had the wind to blow on the bundle, let alone the ability to stand back up again! I tip my hat to you, young man!! :D

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Solar is a good technique too.

[@randy-9842]

​@DavidWestBgood2ppl - True! So are flint and steel and ferrocerium Rods! Never-the-less, the Bow Drill is a great method to know ... and to teach to those young'ns who remain supple enough to recover!! Thanks

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Sadly, there is very little interest in bow drill anymore, compared to 10 years ago.

[@randy-9842]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl I'm actually surprised at that. A bow drill is something you can put together with nothing more than a knife and a shoe lace (or paracord if you have it). Not everyone EDC's flint and steel - or ferrocerium rods - or even lighters these days, but I'm never without at least a pocket knife, an old handkerchief (for kindling in a pinch) and some shoe/boot laces. My guess is that Scouting isn't sought after so much these days. I now support Trail Life USA since the BSA began "allowing" and even encouraging ... well, lets just say some less wholesome / less Christian behavior.

[@randy-9842]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl -- btw: thanks for the logic of the wider, more squared-off, notch when things are damp. I would not have considered that!

[@cloudsingh3147]

🙏

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you!

[@cloudsingh3147]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl 😊

[@pipingandcamping]

Bravo man, that is fantastic. Have an awesome week ahead brother.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you kindly!

[@jasonjohnson6344]

Maybe you’ll see this and y’all can try yourselves and give feedback on results. I had the hair brained idea to see what I’d get if I tried using a potato peeler on fatwood. The only peeler I had has a pivoting blade and a pretty wide gap between the two blades. I was hoping for thin feathers but the width of the gap created thicker than preferred feathers but it worked pretty dang good actually. Enough so that I will visit my second hand store to see what might be there. I’m thinking that a closer gap would make thinner feathers and it seems to be a worthwhile experiment. The peeler blades cleaned up easily with some alcohol on a paper towel and no one will be the wiser. 🫢

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Pocket planes work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnXZl4aqrN5jfaMsi=xMt36H2A2SQrHEGf