Hand Drill Fire with No Metal Tools

The “no-tools, on-site” hand drill ember has been a goal of mine for a couple of years now, and I’ve gotten close before but have never been able to make this happen before today.
I have made this work with a bow drill but that required a grueling afternoon of persistence. Everything came together in my favor today, and mother nature definitely set me up for success with hot dry weather and perfect materials sitting right next to each other.
I grabbed a dry willow stick that had been harvested by the river and placed on the rocks for me and other than smoothing out the tip and peeling away a bit of bark, it was pretty much good to go.
I noticed a really nice piece of cottonwood root that happened to have a fork in it that looked like it would save me the trouble of carving a notch; which is one of the more difficult aspects of friction fire without a proper cutting tool.
I used a poorly chosen piece of very brittle slate to start the divot, but when it crumbled I just let the spindle do the work and ended up feeling like I might just be able to pull this off.
After a couple of minutes of spinning that willow stick between my palms in just the right place, and a drop of sweat that almost ruined the whole thing; I had the ember that a friend of mine once called “the holy grail of friction fire”.
If you asked me to go out and make this happen again tomorrow I would put my chances of success at less than 50%, so I would still lean on the bow drill before counting on a hand drill; but I had the deck stacked in my favor today and I’ll take it!

[@69jbr69]

Alright, your skill is unreal. Next level-starting fire using string cheese as hand drill while dog keeps trying to steal it.

[@kylelusk8994]

now thats funny!

[@nwprimate6416]

😂

[@garyminick1050]

Im not giving any odds on that bet !

[@usernick8928]

That's self reliance at its finest, to be able to create fire without anything except your skills and what you can find.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Nick!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

That was an awesome success and a pinnacle of achievement. You have a right to be proud of your achievement. I have not put much effort into hand drill since it seems to me a process that has to be practiced often in order to keep the muscles in condition. But I nevertheless deeply admire the ability to do so by those who are proficient with that skill.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lonnie. I agree and very much prefer bow drill. I used to practice hand drill all the time, but haven't made one in months before this and could tell that my hands and muscles were out of shape. It's probably the most efficient method in dry climates, but the bow drill is still king in my book.

[@jabohabo3821]

@@nwprimate6416 punp drill if your feelin lazy

[@fire_x_friction8820]

Impressive. I can't speak for everyone that watched your video. But it's always appreciated that you spend the time, record and share. Giving time to other people so they can be inspired to raise their own bar is greatly appreciated by the many that see these videos, you can tell by the comments. Again pretty impressive. My archery and preparation of another deer season fall has taken me away from my fire for a month or so, watching this one puts me back in that frame of mind. Kick ass!

[@nwprimate6416]

Much appreciated buddy! 👍

[@gazay7777]

That's master level primitive fire making right there.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy

[@davefarnsworth3020]

Nice way to improvise and save some labor. Now I'll be looking for more situations like that where nature has already done some of the work.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Dave!

[@UTClans_96.27UT]

Awesome video NW Primate . You certainly demonstrated using available and compatible materials . An excellent hand drill video and appreciated .

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@chopstickw1801]

Of all the excellent friction-fire makers, you are the most impressive to me. No metal for this one, and natural cordage in another. Amazing!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@GrumpyGrunt]

Dang, dude...*MY* hands were burning and tingling by the time you got there. Impressive, as always.

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@Cleo8575]

Poor Pooch sitting at home in his cage all alone? Thanks old boy for taking us to school and providing another tool in the tool box for fire starting!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Cleo. He was home this time, but we are headed out this afternoon. 🙂

[@voose3839]

So awesome. Im getting into trying to make primitave fires and am struggling to identify the materials i need. Watching these seem to help identify what i need to find and do!

[@nwprimate6416]

Good luck!

[@pacediver2594]

Another great video showing your resourcefulness and skills always entertaining

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Pacediver!

[@jaimeleondelaparra3877]

Once again, taking friction fire making to another level. Outstanding, brother!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jaime!

[@rokhnroll]

Great hand drill skills NWP and the use of natural features for the board was very nice. Thanks for posting enjoyed watching your skills at work.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@brandonfield3993]

Well done! I'll never tire of watching or making fires. Even better when you do it so skillfully!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Brandon!

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Thumbs up before I watched the video . Insidious remarks at a later date .

[@UTClans_96.27UT]

@SAR TRACKING lol and I have become a big fan of the 2 stick and split stick hearth and putting tinder under the hearth . great to see you at the fibers workshop and we had over 60 people show up this time ...awesome . Say hello to the guy from Czech Republic . A great guy with awesome skill ! ATB 5X5 and THX Bro.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

@REGULUS VECTOR Split stick is a fave particularly in snow , really wet conditions and you clamping tinder between sticks works good because you make air channels on both sides of spindle area . Your clan treated Jarn super nice and he says "America is the best" . Jarn is a world class instructor and the Mora Eldris you guys gave him meant a great deal ... as in tears in eyes . He went home with about 10 pounds of flint in his baggage and that Mora . A ton of other stuff has been mailed to him . I left you a pm at GB . The fibers seminar was a smash hit . See you at Stone Shop . ATB & 5X5

[@nwprimate6416]

Still waiting on those insidious remarks. 🙂

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Perhaps I should use the term incendiary remarks . Damned good video and I forgot to mention your field expedient bow should be a video on its' own . My incendiary remark - Most (not all) Slate sucks for using as a tool and I have the scars to prove it . ATB

[@nwprimate6416]

@@QuantumPyrite_88.9 Thanks buddy! I have a box of flint and chert, and that stuff is definitely superior to slate. This piece was a joke, but I've made some pretty cool stuff out of it so far. There is no comparison when compared to a properly knapped real tool, but it's what I can find in my area. I'd love to hear about the slate injuries though!

[@TBOR101]

Your Skill level is Impressive indeed, engaging and a beautiful thing to watch,,your primitive fire making is like watching Art in motion. Thank You for sharing

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks TBOR!

[@JoshDogMoto]

NW Primate I have watched A LOT of your bow drill videos... just wondering if you could PLEASE do a Step By Step guide??? I think you could help a lot of new folks like myself...Your videos are great learning tools for me. A "all in one" series or even a long step by step guide would be greatly appreciated. I enjoy your video style (NO chatter just masterfully executed techniques) have learn't so much from watchin you in such a short time. thanks for your videos Josh from Northern Alberta

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Alberta Bushcraft ☺️

[@kylelusk8994]

that drop of sweat was really close my friend! give Lupo a head rub for me! great video!

[@nwprimate6416]

Good eye buddy!

[@davidb8872]

Always impressed when no bow let alone no tools 👍

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@madrasmark5425]

Brian, congratulations on your "sans mental tools hand drill fire" goal. Your fire making in the northwest videos are both educational and entertaining. Please keep the videos coming. I'm looking forward to another Lupo Appearance. Thanks, MadrasMark /aka/ MidOregon Mark

[@nwprimate6416]

Much appreciated buddy!

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Well done!!! Congratulations on your success and I'm happy you were able to record it!!! 👍🏻🔥👍🏻🔥👍🏻

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@TheAca300]

I'm getting blisters just from watching :D

[@nwprimate6416]

:D

[@nutthrower4415]

What did I just see, I mean you continue to put out challenges to us here which you probably didn’t realize , at least for me Always surprised by what you come up with , thanks 👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@CostaBushcraftandSurvival]

Amazing, mate! Hugs from Brazil!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@thomasgold-1000]

Wow, what an awesome demonstration! You just proofed your outstanding skillset again... Congrats on your success!!!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy. 👍

[@johnearhart8811]

The Master doing what he does. Love it!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks John!

[@privatepuffer]

Like a freakin' boss!

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@BeefT-Sq]

" Practically, my task is to demonstrate that man needs philosophy in order to discover the proper way to live on earth." -Ayn Rand-

[@paleoindio9094]

Super primitive, you are a master, hugs of Brazil

[@evenhand7743]

Nice job.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@811stever]

Coolest thing I've seen all day... Thx.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Man!

[@MrSrtman18]

A thing a beauty Brian!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@shahriariran44]

You are truly the master of this art.

[@lobopropredatorcontrol]

Absolutely amazing good sir

[@nwprimate6416]

Much appreciated man!

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

Great job.💪👍 This is always such an inspiration to watch. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Keep up the great work.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@eagleridge1972]

Just love this video. I can relate to this. Well done my friend.

[@nwprimate6416]

Great to see you over here too buddy!

[@landgabriel]

Awesome achievement. I am in SE Asia and here we have much fewer rock formations and fewer volcanic geology. Plus, the humidity means a bow drill is much more viable.

[@nwprimate6416]

This is one of the wettest places in the world, so bow drill is definitely a better option here too.

[@Texasbushboy]

Nice man. So awesome!!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks INSTASOMO ☺️

[@Cosmo_88]

Still a fave . THX

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy. :)

[@mrForestBeard]

Holy blisters! My hands feels your pain :)

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy. I came away surprisingly unscathed.

[@mrForestBeard]

@@nwprimate6416 Oh! Nice! Glad to hear that! :3

[@tallcedars2310]

It's all been said in the comments, amazing work NWP and congrats on another feather in your cap.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks TC!

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Awesome job there NWP

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks LT!

[@davidharvey5672]

Very impressive! At one point it looked like it had cooled right off but then picked up.you must have Rhino hide on your hands

[@nwprimate6416]

😂

[@WillliamChaverri]

Awesome

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@billythorough3787]

Wow! Bravo.

[@jeffseaton5193]

Haha when that sweat drop hit the hearth log I was thinking I know that feeling. Nice video man. Subscribed from KY

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jeff

[@MrZluvu4ever]

Amazing...thanks so much!!!

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@bcwoodsman876]

Congrats! This is an apex skill and you crushed it. Man, have I got some work ahead of me lol.

[@nwprimate6416]

There's always more

[@juhovieruaho2338]

Very cool!!!

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@willisblevins4190]

A awesome video good work thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Willis

[@terryoneill9525]

that was awesome

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Terry

[@faustomarchisio4842]

Bravissimo!

[@nwprimate6416]

Grazie!

[@snaponjohn100]

Three idiots. Once again fantastic video. It seem dry there today. I thought it rained almost every day there and it was moss on everything God bless you. John

[@nwprimate6416]

We get about two months of warm relatively dry weather, which was definitely a factor in this success.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Outstanding man...... took some work, saw the sweat dripping and was cringing it would hit the ember. Awesome. Was that some type of sumac or elderberry....the bark looks familiar...even from down here in the deep south. Never mind .... I see it was willow. Looks a bit different than ours for that size branch.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Wayne. Willows are really hard to tell apart out here, but it's the same species that I was pushing my way through to find the driftwood.

[@xyzct]

How in God's creation can someone give this a thumbs down?

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Because they suck .

[@rokhnroll]

I like to think of the people who dislike a video with this level of skill to be those that will succumb to the laws of natural selection in the event of disaster.

[@UTClans_96.27UT]

@SAR TRACKING you left out Big time . 5X5

[@nwprimate6416]

The ratio looks pretty good to me. 🙂

[@nwprimate6416]

@@QuantumPyrite_88.9 That's ridiculous.

[@user-bw5op6eh9q]

Самый лучший канал о добыче огня.

[@kekipark77]

great video, awesome fire, BUT, very lucky :)

[@raygetoutdoors6151]

Amazing . . . did you practice some to toughen up your hands? Ray, Oklahoma

[@nwprimate6416]

I used to practice a lot, but hadn't done a hand drill in a long time.

[@Banasuka]

Verry good

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

I'm impressed, that was a lot of drilling, how were your hands afterwards?

[@nwprimate6416]

Surprisingly undamaged despite not working on hand drill much for the last year or so.

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

The dust seemed to have such a long way to fall to the catcher I though you weren't gonna be able to pull it off. That was allot of work on your poor hands! Great job, Primate! Oh, was the Willow slightly decomposed, or just nice and dry?

[@nwprimate6416]

Good eye Zoltan. I tried to prop the coal catcher up but it was still a long drop. The willow was a little rotten, but not too severely.

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

@@nwprimate6416 thanks again. Great job 😀

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Very impressive. The title caught my attention so I had to watch. You should have many more subscribers and likes than you have, but consider me your next sub. Thanks for what you do.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks man!

[@cmargheimable]

My flint and steel seem so juvenile now😂

[@xyzct]

BIC lighter 2.0

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@wderoker]

Awesome video! Amazing skills! What kind of wood was that?

[@jimleighty7408]

Dude, this is probably about as "primitive" as you can get. No tools at all! I bet maybe even Otizi couldn't do this, he had both a knife and an axe!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@lesny414]

👍👍👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy

[@saraskold9631]

have you ever made a pump drill to make a fire ?

[@nwprimate6416]

Not yet, but it's on the list

[@yldzlarstars3625]

New subcribe

[@jabohabo3821]

Sandstone worked better for me. Or same Stone with a wood hammer. Chisel instead of carve.

[@nwprimate6416]

I can dig it!

[@n00gai101]

very nicely made video...my own personal firestarter method is quicker... a bic lighter >

[@nwprimate6416]

Mine too.

[@roblosst4647]

How long you took to make fire on hand drill

[@chickenthigh87]

How long do you need to make the fire

[@garyminick1050]

Is this a willow spindle ?

[@nwprimate6416]

It is..some kind of willow driftwood, but I don't know the exact species.

[@garyminick1050]

@@nwprimate6416 I had to look quickly to guess it ,and the fireboard was ......?

[@garyminick1050]

It doesn't matter, I knew you could make fire from it even if it was petrified from the bottom of a frozen swamp.

[@garyminick1050]

I'm now 73 years old but I love new challenges. I stick with the bow drill method mainly I have had hand surgery and can only do the bow drill. I do try to find ways to challenge myself in that endeavor.

[@joeshoe4940]

Olympic Pen?

[@nwprimate6416]

Sometimes...this was a North Cascades river valley. 👍

[@luizfillipesouzaritzel7109]

FAKE VIDEO

[@nwprimate6416]

😆

[@riverstick8895]

Awesome

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Riverstick!