Making fire using the Fire Plough - Papua New Guinea

In this impromptu episode i'm in Kiriwina in the Trobriand Islands of Papua New Guinea where I meet up with Junea who shows me his village and their traditional method of fire making known as the Fire Plough, one of the most simplistic yet difficult friction fire lighting methods there is.
Hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!
This video is presented by Gordon Dedman, founder of Bushcraft Survival Australia (BSA), is an outdoor bushcraft survival school dedicated to teaching genuine and authentic modern and traditional outdoor living skills through carefully designed educational courses.
Gordon Dedman is currently the survival / bushcraft consultant for the “Alone Australia” TV series.
For more information about Bushcraft Survival Australia courses, please visit:
www.bushcraftsurvivalaustralia.com.au
Connect with Gordon Dedman:
Website: www.bushcraftsurvivalaustralia.com.au
Facebook: BushcraftSurvivalAustralia
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Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-dedman
On the Person
Morakniv Garberg (Carbon) full tang knife alnk.to/hDjqBEe
Bacho Laplander folding saw bit.ly/3b8hXI0
Fire striker (Strikefire or Light my Fire or Morakniv) on a lanyard alnk.to/gdZmL94
Leatherman Supertool alnk.to/3TUk6RC
10m hank of 550 paracord bit.ly/3nQeK5b
Small Day Pack (Fjallraven Kanken or Helikon-Tex Bushcraft Satchel - alnk.to/e70gZnA
Kleen Kanteen 20oz or 40oz stainless steel, wide mouthed, single walled bottle with nesting cup alnk.to/7WXKFps
Pathfinder or Survival Supplies Australia /Bushcraft Survival Australia special edition All Weather Emergency Blanket (in production and coming soon) bit.ly/3h6Cnov
Heavy duty extra large non pleated garbage bag (new BSA survival bag in production and coming soon)
SOL Emergency Space Blanket/Bivvi bit.ly/3vLLi2X
Ledlenser MH4 head lamp alnk.to/4Bzm1V3
Falkniven DC4 sharpening stone bit.ly/3eYkSo1
Bushcraft Survival Australia Bandanas bit.ly/3nQ8iem
Suunto MC-2G Global Compass OR Silva Ranger Compass (also worn on the person) bit.ly/3tsGRZj
Small First Aid Kit bit.ly/3f3alI7
Military wound dressing/bandage bit.ly/3bbanMK
Overboard 10-15 litre dry bag alnk.to/7qdtJ0b
Helikon-Tex Military Poncho bit.ly/3xR28iI
Fjallraven Wool Beanie alnk.to/3y4O95k
Fjallraven Keb long sleeved wool t-shirt alnk.to/fS9QOdf
Fjallraven Vida Pro Trousers alnk.to/60TpSzj
Fjallraven Singi Trekking Shirt alnk.to/6bOaRoM
Fjallraven Vidda Pro Jacket alnk.to/3y4O9aV
“Rite in the Rain” Tactical note pad alnk.to/dequ64y
Large Pack (Snugpak 45L Rocket Pack with PLC side pockets) bit.ly/3eYEb0h
Alton Goods 3x3 Ultralight Tarp bit.ly/3en0VYR or Helikon-Tex Supertarp (small or large) bit.ly/33nd8Xa
Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin or Softie 6 Kestral synthetic sleeping bag bit.ly/3tntjy9
Sea to Summit Thermolite “Reactor” sleeping bag liner bit.ly/2QRAfGR
Snugpak Special Forces Bivvi Bag or ex army bivvy bag bit.ly/3ur1hD7
Snugpak 3/4 Mini Matt or Klymit Static V (short) sleeping matt bit.ly/33kTMSo
Military nylon ground sheet
Wash kit and Helikon-Tex Shemagh (towel) bit.ly/3h9jphk
“Survival” Snake Bite First Aid Kit
Ledlenser ML4 mini lantern alnk.to/4qEB371
Powertraveller Extreme Tactical Solar Powered Charger alnk.to/6mIVQgx
Helikon-Tex Enlarged Packcell Bag (for spare clothes) bit.ly/2SmC4vx
Fjallraven Granit Lumberjack Wool Shirt alnk.to/74nXLv4 OR Swandri Ranger Wool Bush Shirt
Swazi Tahr Anorak
fishing kit (optional) bit.ly/2QTrUT0
Alton Goods Lightweight Hammock bit.ly/3xNJrwl and Bug Net bit.ly/3b5ftKB (optional)
Side Pocket 1
Pathfinder Woodsman’s Pantry
Wildo Camp-A-Box (optional) bit.ly/3nUJcuT
Food/Rations (4-6 days)
Side Pocket 2
Kleen Kanteen 40oz stainless steel, single walled, wide mouthed, water bottle bit.ly/3nSvys4 OR Pathfinder 32oz bottle, nesting cup and pot hanger bit.ly/3nQ90bw
Snowpeak Mini Solo Cookset
Zebra 14inch Camping Pot/Saucepan bit.ly/3h1It9T
Alton Goods Ultralight Titanium Grill bit.ly/3enqh8N
Military Milbank Filter OR Brown Bag
MSR 4 Litre Dromedary Bag
Sea to Summit Mini Pocket Shower bit.ly/3xSvbT7
Collapsable bowl

[@catey62]

thank you for this. we have a lot to learn from people and tribes like this, living off the land like they do. and one thing I cant get over is how tightly and well woven the floor matting is that he is sitting on.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

My mother's tribal people, the Algonquin, in Ontario-Quebec, Canada, also used a fireplow. I have not mastered it yet. They used basswood, and other softwoods, thumb nail soft, and I saw it done on a piece of dead standing white pine. So, it seems it was also used in North America, as far as mid Canada (they're around 45th parallel North). Necessity is the mother of invention, from way down under to way up and over. It's so very interesting to see how Indigenous peoples globally developed similar techniques on their own. We really need to pay attention to our elders, eh.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

That sounds like an amazingly privileged heritage you have. Total respect. It is indeed interesting and particularly so because they didn't have contact with each other as far as we know and have been told. Fire plough is definitely more of a tropical/hot weather technique by sheer technique. Its much easier to to create heat from a drill that stays in the place (hole) than it is than rubbing a stick along a long channel and creating friction over a greater surface area and trying to get it to stop in the precise spot every time without going too far and destroying your tinder bundle...much more difficult in cold weather. The elders have all the answers if we stop and care to listen. Thanks for watching.

[@eliot1970]

Excellent demo. Tah!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching

[@shadomane]

I learned this method during my time living in American Samoa. Thanks for the video and for sharing your experiences with us.

[@ng1347]

excellent video it nice to see that there are still people that live in a tribal community and maintain their native skiles

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

PNG is an amazing place and there is no electricity on kiriwina so they still live for the most part traditionally and they seem so happy. Unfortunately our horrendous monetary system and western based capitalism is creeping into these beautiful places through tourism and it won't be long before they too are destroyed, unless a nice mix can be found. Thanks for watching.

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

You're lucky to have such experiences with people like this and their skills that are lost in todays western world. Thanks for capturing it all and sharing.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes, sadly cultures such as this are loosing their culture to the ever encroaching western world and the superficial and materialistic values that go with it. Hopefully they will be able to hang onto their beautiful culture and traditional skills alongside a modern world as countries such as Samoa have. Thanks for watching.

[@felipfelop8220]

What a great piece by you and meeting all those good people,i came by you via a small oz bush ditto you did,having travelled throughout oz for 6 months learning,but your interview with Paul Kirtley was very engaging,well done geezer from a Brit ❤👍

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks mate, I really appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed the interview with Paul. He is top shelf and a fantastic bloke. Thank you so much for watching.

[@CleaveMountaineering]

What remarkable work on the village structures too! Thanks for sharing.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It was a privilege to visit there...so much to learn. Thanks for watching.

[@rtodd279]

Brilliant! I love PNG. Beautiful people and beautiful country.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

It certainly is. Peaceful and generous people ...particularly the villages I visited. Thanks for watching.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Well done Gordon and company!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@aussysurvival]

Excellent mate. Not often we saw alternative methods such as this, on social media. Very informative. Did try it once here with stringy bark. Yep a bit of hard yakka. Thanks for sharing.👍👍 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes it's certainly not the easiest method, especially with marginal woods....it's almost impossible! Coastal Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is the most common and preferred wood throughout Polynesia. Thanks for watching

[@NWBushman]

Can’t wait to see more!!!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

👍 thanks for watching

[@shutthegate8232]

Thank Q for sharing. cheers

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

My pleasure, thank you for watching.

[@TheHellfiremissile]

i believe the tree is a member of the hibiscus family, so... similar burning characteristics. Thanks.

[@bushecho7281]

Thank you sharing Gordon. Extremely impressive skills. Interesting he pinned the fireboard with his parang or machete. Cheers

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes they all have impressive skills. I met up with some other locals and kids on the beach later that day and they all could do it. Unfortunately both batteries had died on the GoPro so could not film it. Thanks for watching

[@thelazylizardmatt]

Wow, that was great 🙂

[@Geebee238]

Awesome mate, that's my back yard. Over there it's a way of life not really Bushcraft as such. Doing anymore in PNG...100s of amazing bush skills to learn and show people. Appreciate the vids 👍👍

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

PNG is an amazing place and I have had the privilege a couple of times to work with PNG soldiers in Norforce. Their skills as you say are a way of life, not a hobby or just an interest. I hope to get back there soon. Thanks for watching

[@Geebee238]

@@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia appreciate what you do and love your vids, cheers mate.

[@LadyOscar1]

Awesome 👏...thank you

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

👍thanks for watching

[@EuclidesMonte]

Excelente!!!

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks. I appreciate it . Thank you for watching.

[@iggie1439]

Great job as always Gordon. What wood would you use in Australia?

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

The best wood I have found in Australia for this method is Hibiscus, in particular, Coastal Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) which is the same wood they use in Samoa, Hawaii and Tahiti that I have used over there.

[@iggie1439]

@@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia Thank you Gordon, love all your programs keep them coming.

[@kristophersmith4830]

Beautiful

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed this episode.

[@BlackshacksBushcraft]

Brilliant 😀

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Thank you., I'm glad you liked it.

[@kyangraham6794]

Great video mate, just wondering about some wild edibles here in south west Australia 🇦🇺👍

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Not too shore about that area as I'm not from there. The best thing I can suggest is to find some plant ID and wild edibles books from your area. Tim Lowe's Books have edibles from all over Australia so that might be a good start.. Thanks for watching.

[@PAULNAT]

Good work, I have tried this but was not successful. I will have to try again.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

Yes it's a bloody hard technique to get the hang of but once you have its quite easy. However it's a perishable skill so you loose the knack fast so you have to keep on top of it. Thanks for watching.

[@5winder]

What a lot of work. Thank God for lighters.

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

In an emergency yes, but lighters won't teach you anything about fire lighting, tinder preparation etc or any of the other many benefits that traditional skills teach us. Fire Plough is more difficult than many other friction fire lighting methods but the joy is in the challenge and the rewards you get from undertaking such activities such as self confidence, self discipline and of course insight into indigenous cultures and nature itself. Thanks for watching

[@Thechist781]

Does it work with any kind of dry wood or just that one ?

[@BushcraftSurvivalAustralia]

No. Generally a light "balsa type" wood that you can dint with your thumb is a good guide for the bow drill method and other less desirable woods can be used if your technique is good and you know what you are doing. The woods for the fire Plough method are much more specific because of the method of ember production....along the grain rather than across it or drilling into it...making it a little more difficult even though more simplistic in nature. Coastal hibiscus is the wood typically used throughout the Pacific islands. If you are new to friction fire lighting I would suggest you start with the bow drill method then hand drill method. thanks for watching.

Must use non-resinous soft wood, otherwise you won’t be able to create the wood dust from the rubbing, which gets superheated to form the ember.