Bushcraft Survival Australia - How To Light A Fire Using the Bow Drill

This short presentation is a brief "Instructional How To" video on lighting a fire using the bow drill, a North American Friction Fire Lighting Method. It details the selection of wood, construction of the set, technique, tinder and fire lay preparation.
The video details selection of tinder, preparation of fire lay, ignition and how to build a sustainable fire.
This instruction should serve to demonstrate the basics of how to use the equipment and advice on how to make fire proficiently and quickly without matches or a cigarette lighter.
The video is presented by Gordon Dedman, founder of Bushcraft Survival Australia (BSA). Gordon has travelled extensively and completed numerous Survival and Bushcraft Courses worldwide at schools run by Ray Mears, Dave Canterbury, Lofty Wiseman and Bob Cooper.
Gordon is a former member of the Australian Army 1st Commando Regiment and is presently attached to NORFORCE, an Australian Army Reserve Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU).
NORFORCE conducts patrols in the remote areas of Northern Australia, working closely with Aboriginal communities.
Please follow all safety procedures when lighting fires outdoors and always adhere to the laws and guidelines set down by your State or country of origin, governing fire lighting.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
BSA (Bushcraft Survival Australia) Disclaimer
The information presented in these videos are given under the provisor that the person/s watching these instructions will practise with caution and care.
BSA is not responsible for how and when you use this material.
Please note that some activities related to bushcraft survival can be dangerous if performed without proper care and attention to detail.
Please note that in many situations it is not permissible to light fires in National Parks. Please adhere to fire regulations and restrictions in your local area before lighting a fire.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

good instruction...ive never been very good at teaching myself. but you've got the knack...another fine vid!...woods

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks, being an ex school teacher helps i guess. I enjoy teaching.

[@sosteve9113]

you stole the words out of my mouth,you have the gift to bring it

[@sovereignaussie8627]

beautiful work mate, I can see this will become one of my fav. channels

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Will keep them coming as time permits

[@raulf100]

nice demo, i just tried this out the back and it worked, feeling pretty pleased with my self, wasn't as smooth as you but got there, its good to see some good aussie survival vids, keep it up

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks for the positive comments....practise, practise practise...with as many different woods as you can.

[@PAULNAT]

I was just showing a mate how to do this last night. I will send him this clip to help him out.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

+Paul Smith. There's more videos coming. Thanks for the supportive comment.

[@garryn123]

fantastic skill to have!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Leaning friction fire helps all your other fire,lighting abilities. You wouldn't choose to use friction fire in an emergency if you didn't need to but knowing the skill improves your fire lighting skills with modern fire lighting methods. Thanks for the question.

[@universalstudios13]

Wow. Absolutely amazing. I'm so glad I subbed to you Brother. You have some vital knowledge.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Hey thanks, glad you liked the video. More are on their way soon.

[@brend0GG]

Great videos. Subbed, can't wait to see more.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks. More coming soon.

[@aussiebushcraftadventures]

Very helpful and useful video Gordon! Always enjoy watching your content and learning something 😁👍🏻

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks, I'm glad you are finding them helpful and informative. Thanks again for watching.

[@sosteve9113]

well done buddy

[@GreencampRhodie]

Dang, you make it look so easy! Great vid & channel.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks….but its just practise and patience.

[@jackthemuss2493]

I want to see the landtarna start the fire. Great video mate

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Lantana is on the list of things to do so stay tuned.

[@jackthemuss2493]

i will for sure

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Just posted a video on how to light a fire with the bow drill, using Lantana.

[@franckalcidi2109]

Good work Gordon! Reminds me of Canada and your instructions to the group of Canadian Rangers. Look forward to your shelter videos and other survival skills/techniques in future.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

+Franck Alcidi Thanks for that. I'm away for a few weeks. I'll respond ASAP.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks mate, I remember, will keep them coming when time permits. Gordo

[@shanerbass]

Subbed. Look forward to more videos

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

+shane martinez. Thanks for the comment. More on the way.

[@renatthestarbase]

Great vid! What am I doing wrong if drill produces smoke but only brown char? And my handhold smokes too? Maybe wood is to moist?

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It depends on the wood? The char/powder needs to be a dark brown. If it is a light brown, it generally means you are not using enough downward pressure. It could also mean you are using a wood that is not generally suitable for friction fire lighting such as a hard wood which will only produce smoke and "pollish". If the hand hold smokes, it could mean that your hand hold is a softer wood than your drill or that the shoulders of the top end of your drill are not "pointy" enough (too much friction) and hand hold is rubbing against shoulder. Could also be because it is not dry enough.

[@rockrover85]

great vids mate what part of aus are you in?....just getting started in the bush craft scene but have loved the out doors all my life im on the mid north coast of nsw very interested in seeing your shelter structures and what species you use its very hard to find any info on australian bush craft and australian survival ...id really like to learn the native plants for food and medicinal uses ....love the channel keep up the great work

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks Shaun. I'll respond in person ASAP.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

I'm from mid north coast NSW but am part of Norforce (army) in the NT so spend a lot of time there. I will be doing some episodes on shelters soon when I have some time. Some good Australian books include; The Ten Bushcraft Books by Richard Graves (recently reprinted as "Bushcraft"), Outback Survival by Bob Cooper, Wild Food Plants of Australia by Tim Low and Australian Medicinal Plants by Lassak & McCarthy.

[@matthewperry293]

Great video very informative, what kind of knife are you using

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate the feedback. The knife i am using is the Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife which i bought in England a few years back when i was over there doing some courses. Its a great knife….however they are expensive! A much cheaper option yet still very good knives are the Mora of Sweeden knives. They make quite a variety but the most suitable for bushcraft are the Mora Bushcraft Black or the Mora Heavy Duty Companion (military green), both carbon steel.

[@peterconnolly199]

Hey mate what knife do you recommend. I'd like to replace my stainless bowie knife with one that I can use with a flint. Love the videos by the way.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

There are many knives out there. It depends on what your intended purpose is and finding a knife to match. Mora of Sweden make a good range of very affordable knives starting at around 35Their bushcraft survival range includes the HD Companion knife, Bushcraft Black and it’s variants, Kansbol and the Garberg, which is their new full tang knife. All of these knives with the exception of the Companion knife have a good 90 degree spine on them so that they work well with a Ferro Rod.

[@peterconnolly199]

Bushcraft Survival Australia Thanks Gordon. Love your clips.

[@LCantwell]

Awesome vids thank you for making them....Would love to see some shelter building at some stage if possible. I spend a lot of time in the Whipsticks Central Vic and practice basic skills in case i need to spend a night or two in the bush.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

+Leigh Cantwell Just checked out Whipstick. parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/315555/Heritage-story-The-Whipstick-public-lands.pdf Looks like a great spot to spent a night or two. Lots more videos on the way. Will try and fast track Shelter Building for you, but can't promise a date of course. Thanks for the request.

[@yehenala1]

Great video mate, you mentioned the drill and the hard board needs to be the same wood, its there any reason for that?

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes. They both consume each other at the same rate. You can use different woods but when you are learning you want to avoid adding too many variables and make things easier instead of more difficult. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.