Hand Drill Fire | The Fire Series Pt 1

[@junkmail7144]

I just tried this, and thanks to your advice to give yourself the best chance of success, I got an ember my first try! I used a very dry piece of cedar 1x2 for the spindle and hearth. Thanks!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

First try?! That’s a fantastic accomplishment. So glad we could be a part of it. Now on to the Bow and Drill! 😉

[@epleyhead489]

@@wildernessstrong6131 LOL, oops, meant to post this on the bow drill video. Got an ember first try with the bow drill. A few months of practicing that, then I'll give this one a shot. Thanks again!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Wow! Very impressive. Glad to hear you’re going to keep practicing rather than just checking it off your list. Thanks for letting us know about your accomplishment!

[@revol_000]

Well, it wouldn't be an exaggeration if I said, that this video... is fire! 🔥🔥🔥

[@sammynatal6471]

The African bush people have mastered using their environment to get everything they need. Bows, arrows and even homes. They leave everything behind and make it new at the next place they camp. No tents or tools. All made new when they decide to camp. Isn’t it awesome and amazing.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Enjoyed your comments. Yes it is amazing and inspiring.

[@FishCakeIsland4928]

Welp, my day's gotten a whole lot better.

[@adriaannikken7519]

A grain or two of sand will chew up wood, and increase friction. Thanks. Stay warm and happy.

[@keithhardy4970]

I've been hand drillin for about a year and a half and have gotten pretty adept but I just tried your notch advice and could not believe it! Got an ember in about a 1/3 of the time and did it right on top of the tinder, fabulous thanks!!!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

That is great to hear! Glad it helped you.

[@robertwilson3914]

Extremely well done!!! Details explained perfectly...!! Send more craft survival tips soon...hungry minds await you !!! Smile...

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Ok I’m on it! More to come...😀

[@99thminer]

So well presented... so inspiring!

[@richardnichols1392]

You guys put together some very high quality video's, I've shared with many people the world over literally

[@wildernessstrong6131]

We love hearing that! Thanks so much.

[@garyminick1050]

Love this teaching method !!!

[@Jadeeboy]

Just got to say that out of all the folks I have learned proper techniques from, yours is the most real world. You do a very good job of covering all the aspects of a process that many folks forget or take for granite. Also showing how long and hard it is to do and that more practice is necessary to get better.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Have very much enjoyed each of your comments. Thanks for watching. Glad you’re enjoying the content.

[@Gum05]

How is it that a year after these videos were made that I’m just now seeing your videos!!! What a awesome collection of knowledge! Thank you so much and keep up the great work!

[@melissaharris3648]

I loved the combination of detailed information and beautiful scenery. Can't wait to see the rest of the series!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Nature does make a beautiful backdrop for education. Thanks for watching!

[@antoniojgallegorodenas7637]

Thanks for the video. Useful and expert advice. Highly appreciated. Subscription done.

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

My first successful bow drill fire was a honey locust board and chokecherry spindle. Try it out and let me know what you think.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Hey that’s great info. Thanks!

[@makingd.o.123]

I'll be watching this series

[@Jadeeboy]

I got pretty good with most forms of firemaking except for hand drill and fireplow. Now that I am feeling better about starting back into this hobby, I appreciate your tutorials. God bless

[@ARAW-__-]

Really enjoy your channel ! Did you try hazel on hazel or silver fir on silver fir ?

[@ARAW-__-]

Oh, and when would you harvest the green limbs for friction fire ?

[@aktrapper6126]

This is by far the best tutorial / series I've ever seen and believe me I've watched and taught many. Thanks for this.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

That’s great to hear! Really appreciate the feedback.

[@random40s]

Well done!

[@rusticlivingbushcraft]

Best instructional video on this subject, EVER!! I appreciate the detail and examples and the video was very well produced. Looking forward to watching the rest!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Great! Glad you enjoyed it. Really appreciate the compliment.

[@meldeweese6875]

Always EXCELLENT / EXACT info. Thank You ! My good friend JIm Riggs, super Abo skills Inst from Ore. Taught me the hand drill fire at the first Rabbit Stick 1978. He use a cattail drill on a calmatius vine fire board. I'm still learning with a mullien drill on a cottonwood board. I believe yucca is a good choice also. Thanks , Mtn Mel - Ret. USN SERE Inst / VN. " Bravo Zulu "

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Thanks Mel. Mullein, Cottonwood, and Yucca have all been good to us. Glad you enjoyed the videos. We learned a lot from Jim’s book (and Larry’s too). Would have been great to meet them both in person.

[@johngoodin3445]

What would happen if all you had was a rock with a hole in it and a spindle. What would happen if you were to put stinging nettle, Water Leaf, or Great Burdock in between? Would the friction be enough to bring any of the three to create a ember? I remember you said trying to get an ember from Stinging Nettles put out was like trying to get a trick birthday candle put out. My idea is that the smallest ember would grow into a bigger one regardless of the technique you used. One suggestion on technique using fire pistons I heard about was not to be too impatient about pulling it apart. Leave it compressed for about a 4 count to give the fire piston more time to drive off more residential moisture. Also be careful with pulling it apart. You might get a ember after multiple times only to lose it when you pulled it apart.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Enjoyed and appreciated all of your suggestions. Will give it some thought, thanks!

[@johngoodin3445]

Wonder if you could simply use your stone bearing block in a spindle. Put some stinging nettle fibers in the hole. Brace your feet against the stone and give it a whirl. Wouldn’t it be something if within seconds you had a ember? This would mean you could source all your materials directly from the wild. Bearing block, spindle, and stinging nettle…

[@xpansionteam1537]

Brilliant video thanks

[@stephengarrett8076]

One of the best in-depth tutorials I’ve seen. Now I know where I’ve been going wrong! Thank you so much for your knowledge.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

That’s what we like to hear! Thanks for the great compliment.

[@MrRugercat45]

Love the videos of you showing how you make things with aboriginal tools, it’s the best!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Thanks for the feedback. That’s one of our favorite things to do, and there’s plenty more of that to come! 👌

[@mateirodacaatinga]

AMIGO SENSACIONAL, SOU DO BRAZIL E ESTAMOS CURTINDO MUITO SEUS ENSINAMENTOS. BELISSIMO CANAL.

[@DalemGumino]

Great 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥

[@herbsmith6871]

Good stuff gentlemen, can't wait 🤠

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Part 2 is in the works! Thanks for watching and commenting. More to come...

[@jeremieartery8850]

I have been doing hand drill fires with yucca and poplar root for about 10 years. And thought that sourcing meterial for fire at 8,000 feet or higher would just have to be bow drill. I just used redosier dog wood and cotton wood root, both sourced at the higher elevation , it worked great! A harder wood drill on soft wood board really opens up oppertunity in primative activities. THANK YOU something I most likely would have not found on my own.

[@jeremieartery8850]

THE HARDER WOOD ON SOFT WOOD, opens up the primative opportunities more than any other technology in my area since I started learning the atl atl. Thank you!!!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

That’s exactly what I like to hear! We all would benefit from having a curious, experimental mind that consistently searches for additional knowledge when it comes to primitive technique and Wilderness Survival. If we have multiple levels of skill/knowledge, we will be prepared for multiple scenarios in the wild. Great comment, thanks!

[@voicedub2792]

E mas fácil usar um isqueiro

[@ejan8088]

Great!

[@BASurvival]

This is a great video and explains the hand drill very well. Looking forward to seeing the rest of of the series.👍🔥

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Hey thanks BA! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheMushroomOverlord]

Wow. That takes a lot of patience.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Very true. The joy is in the journey.

[@ethanjamesgarcia3914]

I made my first hand drill ember with pomegranate tree. I haven’t heard that one said on KZbin

[@concretecowboy4212]

🔥 series ❕

[@jlloyd75]

Great instructional video. The best I’ve seen on the hand drill. It’s inspired me to put the bow drill back on the shelf and try the hand drill again. With all the fire videos I’ve watched, I have now idea how I haven’t come across channel before. I’m about to fix that with the subscribe button. I was wondering if you have any experience in the southeast? I’ve tried Mullen stalks on a few boards (tulip popular and white pine) without any success. (100% possibility/probability it’s just me) If you don’t have any specific recommendations, what are you looking for in a spindle and board? My go to with the bow drill is white pine on white pine, but I don’t know how bow drill materials translate to the hand drill. Love what I’ve seen so far, and I’m off to watch the rest of the series. Thanks for putting out this content.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Glad you enjoyed the video! mullen drill if it's the right size will work good on a cedar board. We've used mullen on juniper and sagebrush too, though it took more energy. We go back and forth in our choice of drills between ninebark which has a soft pith inside, [like mullen] and a harder ocean spray drill which we use on a softer wood like cedar.

[@johnknappingthings271]

Hey there could you go into depth more of using hardwood on soft Hirth? I’m interested in learning using solid wood spindles I just never have any luck. Could you going to depth more about that? Maybe I could learn from your videos you know I really would like to use Ninebark and that other stuff I see you using there, I just never have any luck. I use other stuff. Please get back to me on that and I would love to see a video of you going into depth more on what you’re doing there and then what you’re getting away with her whatever

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Thanks for the comment. Yes we definitely plan to make more hand drill fire videos in the future which will have more details. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@kriss3d]

I have to try that when I get the chance. Though if think a bow drill with a stone or wood top handle would be far faster and easier to manage?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Definitely pros and cons to each method. We use hand drill more often because there’s less pieces to it, but we love bow drill as well.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

And I’ll add, bow drill takes a bit less physical exertion than hand drill and we can get an ember quicker with bow drill as well.

[@the430movie]

I've done it with Sycamore on Sycamore out east here...

[@leroybabcock6652]

The narrator has a great voice, somewhat kevin baconish

[@wildernessstrong6131]

And that wins the “favorite comment” award for the day! 😂 thanks!

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

Great advice and tips on the hand drill, they will comei n handy. I noticed you haven't mentioned anything abut conditioning your hands. I often times have a problem that a hotspot forms on my hands before I get to the ember, the dust is piling nicely and smoke is nice and thick, but near the finish line, the hotspot and the pain become too much to keep going. Now, I've managed to get the ember a few times over couple of years but always got a very nasty blister afterwards, wich prevented me to stay consistend with practicing the hand drill. Got any tips for that ? Right now i've decided to start slowy conditioning my hands, and develop the calluses and strengthen my skin and than I'll see if it will make any difference and to be able to say the hand drill is a reliable way of making fire, for me.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

You’re right about hand conditioning. It’s definitely an important issue early on. I’ve worked around hot spots mid attempt by switching to the sides of the palms while drilling, keeping emphasis on downward pressure. After the blisters had mostly healed for me I just kept drilling daily and when hot spots would begin I’d back off a bit until the next day. After about a week of doing that I was good to go although I do still need to stay at it once in a while to keep my hands conditioned.

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

@@wildernessstrong6131 thanks for sharing your experience, I hope I can manage it in such a short time as well :D

[@FlintStryker]

Great video with several good tips. Some questions... 1) I notice you didn't float at all. Any thoughts on floating and whether or not that is valuable? 2) You weren't manipulating the spindle very quickly, all the way through to the final ember formation. It would seem then that you are pressing down very hard. Is that true? I know this is subjective, but do you have any idea how hard you were pressing down. For myself, my failures often occur when I "run out of gas," either by pressing too hard and fatiguing my upper body, or by manipulating the spindle quickly for too long. You were patient and slow(ish) the whole way. Lastly, I like how you placed the fireboard in front of you so you could lean in on it. I'll give that a try. Sitting on the ground with my foot resting on the fireboard does seem to limit downward pressure. Thanks!!!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Hey sorry for the late reply. We have not personally found a significant advantage to floating. We know it’s popular with many people who do it to keep continual rotation on the drill and prevent heat loss, but we’ve found that the half second it takes to bring our hands from the bottom of the drill to the top is not even a factor considering the extra inward and downward pressure we’re able to control with the traditional method. As far as pressure and energy goes and running out of gas - our strategy is to find a nice steady tempo at the beginning using a medium pressure, just to get things heated up. Once we have consistent smoke and a nice pile of dust we increase the pressure inward and downward until we see the crucial “secondary smoke” coming from the bottom of the notch inside our char dust pile. At that point we can even choose to back off a bit on the pressure to conserve energy for a few more passes down the drill until we’re sure we have it. Also it’s incredibly helpful (but not mentioned very often) to lightly blow at the notch as you’re drilling towards the end to clear the smoke and see where it returns from. If it returns from the bottom of your notch in the char dust pile you’ll know you almost certainly have an ember and it’ll take the guess work out of it. And finally we’ve found that endurance can quickly be built up just from a few sessions per week. Not only with wind, but also strength in the arms, chest, and hands. Thanks for the good questions.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Do u reccomend doing a burn in 1st? Ive never understood that method.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

I often do a VERY light/minimal “burn in” before actually drilling for fire. I do it for a couple reasons. 1. It gives a nice defined template for cutting the notch. 2. It creates a nice small depression in the board so your drill stays put during the actual drilling. The reason I go light with the “burn in” is because I don’t want too much depth in the notch as it often creates an uneven rubbing on the drill and also a lip at the top of the notch that prevents the powder from going down the notch. It isn’t entirely necessary however to “burn in” first as I’ve made several fires by just cutting out my notch and getting right to it.

[@WohonMine]

I have a question: if the hearth board isn’t any of the woods you mentioned but it’s soft can I use it?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

In general yes. It would likely work. But if it doesn’t let us know what kind you used.

[@WohonMine]

@@wildernessstrong6131 is it normal to get splinters at first?

[@joeltower5964]

Just curious. In the intro you show a rock with a round hole in the middle. Looked like a bearing block for your bow drill. How did you get the rock like that ?

[@joeltower5964]

An then I watched the next video and got my answer!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Hey that’s great, thanks for watching our videos!

[@williamcruthirds5369]

Been practicing this technique for a couple months had to stop for a couple days due to a blister. Is tulip poplar good for a hearth?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Oh the blisters…I remember well. I haven’t personally tried Tulip Poplar but I’ve seen it used and read that it works. Cedar is still our favorite.

[@Anonymous-il9fm]

Will it work with a White Oak drill and a Willow board?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

We’ve been successful with an oak drill and with a willow board. Not positive whether or not we’ve used them together but most likely it would work if they were in good condition.

[@Finn-mp8pk]

I have been trying Mullen for the spindle and white cedar for the board. I keep getting a lot of dust but no coal. Have any advice?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

A few questions first: How much char dust? Mostly filling up the bottom of your notch? What’s the texture and color of your dust? Dark and soft? Or gray/brown and gritty? About how long are you drilling before stopping? Estimated. How much dust is accumulating on top of your board around the spindle? Significant amount or just a trace? Apologies for all the questions but there’s so many little things that can stop an ember from forming. I’m sure I’ll have a few things for you to try after you reply.

[@Finn-mp8pk]

Thanks for the questions. I get a good amount of dust, dark dust. I was drilling for a normal amount as I normally do. Today I just got my first coal with the same spindle and board, and I got it! When I couldn’t go anymore I kept the spindle in the board, and took it out when the dust was smoking good on its own. Bye!

[@Finn-mp8pk]

One more thing, it was hard to get a coal with a Mullen drill, how in the world do you get it with ocean spray?!?! Anyway I love your vids. Bye again

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Nice work! Persistence and patience paid off. Now that you’ve got it make sure to stay in the habit of practicing. Most of the knowledge I gained came from the quest to consistently be successful and learn from each failure. Today I had two fails in a row before correcting a couple things and then getting quick success. (Nine bark spindle on cedar board) thanks for the update!

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Ocean spray has been steady and reliable for us. We almost always use it on a soft wood like cedar. Glad you’re enjoying the videos. We’ve got some new fire videos coming up with a few lesser known tips and tricks - stay tuned!

[@mr.frederickson329]

9:18 wobble and tip - not if you put your foot on the board

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Very true. I’ve noticed that putting my foot on the board somewhat decreases my ability to comfortably apply my upper body weight. But yes foot on the board works as well. Thanks.

[@noahsahin7454]

What kind of cedar was used? Was it a true cedar or a fake cedar in juniper family like eastern red cedar?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

“Thuja plicata” or “Western Red Cedar” is the type of Cedar we use. Juniper will also work.

[@mauricioruiz9021]

Will a Mulberry drill work for this method?

[@wildernessstrong6131]

We’ve seen it done in person using Mulberry but never used it ourselves.

[@FishCakeIsland4928]

I always get a glossy board that never gives black dust, I think I should be looking for some better materials, because my technique is quite good...I'd like to think.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

A lot of the time materials is the culprit, but glossy boards also are commonly caused by the need for more initial down pressure at the beginning. I’d do an experiment with a new fresh notch and try increasing the downward pressure on the first 5 passes or so until you get smoke. After you first see smoke the char dust should be soon to follow. But yes materials is also a possibility.

[@FishCakeIsland4928]

@@wildernessstrong6131 Alright, I'll try that, btw I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@jeremieartery8850]

@@FishCakeIsland4928 could use a pinch of sandy soil ground stone in the hole to start off, keeps it from getting glossy before you get smoke?

[@FishCakeIsland4928]

@@jeremieartery8850 Wouldn't that ruin the coal with the sandy soil being mixed in?

[@jeremieartery8850]

@@FishCakeIsland4928 It works for me?

[@sammynatal6471]

Fire can not be understated. Its importance has gone way down and should be raised to a hundred percent higher.

[@sethfishing1]

Now I always read that you MUST use softwoods for both the board and spindle. Hardwood spindles work? Ocean spray is the hardest wood in the northwest and you bust coals consistently with that?? Sorry, just a bit baffled, especially considering I’ve been struggling so much with mullein and goldenrod on a willow board. Still watching through the video to trouble shoot my issues

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Yes you can definitely do hardwood on a soft wood. We love using ocean spray because it grows so straight. Let us know how your attempts are going and we can help troubleshoot if you want. Never give up!

[@kurtisabear]

Will you ship me some wood to try?I’ll pay for it.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Send a direct email request to: [e-mail] include name and address and we’ll do our best to work something out.

[@samthai818]

Looks like its alot more difficult than a bow drill. Something that I still haven't been able to do. I believe my failure was due to wood not dry enough. I used poplar as the board and I think maple or oak as the spindle.

[@wildernessstrong6131]

Those materials you mentioned definitely work from our experience, and yes hand drill is physically more of a challenge. Hidden moisture is often the cause for failed friction fires. Great to hear that you are working at it!