Stone Age Fire From Scratch: Stone Tools Bow Drill

No knife, axe, saw, or cordage; just rocks, sticks and roots. I am a total novice when it comes to working with stone, so I pretty much fumbled my way through this one, but I feel like I learned a lot. The riverbed was the obvious place to look for rocks, but it's noisy, so please pardon the roar.
I had the advantage of a warm sunny day, and several cold dry days leading up to it, but I look forward to trying this again in wet conditions.
Breaking rocks is potentially hazardous to your eyes, so please consider wearing eye protection if you try this yourself.

[@palehorsesurvivalandtactic9771]

The first time I constructed a set 100% primitive,it sure made me appreciate a knife so much more. I found that by using a single root for cordage, the root didn't last as long. I harvested thicker roots then split them in half. Lightly twisting both halves together and using them seemed to last much longer for me. I have a video on my channel where i used mulberry roots as bowdrill cordage . Great video my friend

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks again. 🙂 You are so right about appreciating a piece of steel so much more after doing without it. I have played around with twisting roots before, but didn't have good luck with it, so maybe I need to revisit that idea.

[@palehorsesurvivalandtactic9771]

NW Primate It may have been the roots that I used. I harvested mulberry roots, they were pretty durable. I suspect pine or cedar roots would be a bit softer.

[@bcwoodsman876]

Outstanding! I've used stones here and there on various stages of fire prep, but nothing even close to this level! I'm really glad you're putting these videos out. It makes us all reexamine our skills and step it the heck up!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! 🙂

[@WAGONJON]

Using stone tool technology is by far the most difficult tool source to use. I have on several occasions used stone tools with the hand drill setup. Never for the bow-drill. An outstanding achievement! Kick ass brother!!

[@nwprimate6416]

Cool! I haven't tried it with hand drill yet. On another note, when I was browsing your channel I saw that you had a ton of stone working videos, so I'm looking forward to going through some of them and learning from you. 👍

[@thomasgold-1000]

You rose the bar so tremendously high, wow 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻! This clip is a treat to watch - Thank you so much for sharing!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Thomas!

[@rokhnroll]

anyone who has tried friction fire will know how difficult it can be, well done this was a good video on many different levels. I like the sound of a river so it just blended in for me.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks R&R! 🙂

[@MutsPub]

Your determination is awesome! That was so incredibly grueling. It again demonstrates your superior understanding of the principles and application for friction fire!!! Seeing this reinstills in me, "exactly" why I carry extra BIC's, Ferro rod, Matches and Zippo. :-) Well Done. Thanks!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks MP! You're so right about the need to carry reliable fire methods. This worked because everything went right, but it doesn't take much to change that.

[@garyminick1050]

When it's this primitive it's always a " Tom Hanks moment " , a real moment of success. Always the best from your channel !

[@nwprimate6416]

😆 Thanks Gary! The image of old Tom puffing out his chest and declaring what he has made definitely crossed my mind when I saw the flames.

[@rickyboyz1006]

I will never take my "Bic" lighter for granted ever again! Excellent work!

[@nwprimate6416]

That's a pretty good take-away Rickyboyz100! 😀

[@ClintHollingsworth]

I have learned so much of what is possible with nothing but natural materials in these videos! Bravo!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy. :) Here's some more....instagram.com/nwprimate/

[@Taromovies]

Yes, very well done and demonstrated ! You show that is possible, you just have to take the time to prepare all stuff you need and as you show with the right experience it works, really cool my friend! Thanks for sharing, take care, Taro

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Taro! Preparation, patience, and a bit of luck. 🙂

[@zepplyledson9622]

Great video! It shows how it use to be done and how to do it if you have to. It also gives a finer appreciation for the modern tools we have now that we use to make a bow drill.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Zepply. I couldn't agree more. The biggest take-away for me every time I use stone tools is how much I appreciate a knife; any knife.

[@Landoftheignorant]

These videos are so peaceful, tranquil, entertaining, and extremely informative. Thank you. I stumbled upon them and can’t stop watching.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jon!

[@Landoftheignorant]

NW Primate Thank you, sir.

[@brianandersen36]

Far and away the most significant bow drill video I have seen. It will inspire many to upgrade their skill level... Thanks for sharing...

[@notoiletpaperinthewoods]

If there is an ultimate test for friction fire, that was it! Awesome video!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! 🙂

[@deaner6944]

AHHH..! This is the first video where it REALLY is from scratch. No cheating with shoelaces for the bowstring. No strange video cuts. Thx very much :-)

[@cyanson71]

that was amazing to watch. it just goes to show you that with alot of hard work and planning you dont need tools to start a fire. you my friend has unbelievable fire making skills. thank you for this video, very well done.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks cyanson71!

[@melvinhowell5469]

If it were possible, I would give this 1,000 thumbs up! Outstanding!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Kees!

[@pacificbushcraftandfirecra6358]

Truly an excellent display of primitive fire starting. I admire your tenacity... after 3 string breaks and a camera drop, you still got that spindle spinning and Fired it Up! Very cool you found my channel, my PNW friend... I am stoked to find yours as well! Very much enjoyed your video, and I will be checking out your older ones too! Take care, be well, and all that good stuff! And Keep it Burning!!! Cheers

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks TSP! It's always nice finding other guys that practice this stuff in the PNW.

[@theoutdoorsfamily9139]

Its very time consuming but feels good when it finally works. I remember i had to try 3 days and a lot of different sets to get my first stone age bow drill fire going. Good work ! 👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Alvar! It's been a goal of mine for a while now, and knowing that you've pulled this off was certainly inspiring. 🙂

[@gus1911]

Endeavor to persevere! Well done and thanks for taking this fellow computer guy along.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gus! 🙂

[@thewatersofdream]

Pretty epic brother, really appreciate you taking the time to demonstrate this . I like using the bipolar percussion on the round stones , placing an oval or round stone on a stable rock and hitting it on top with another heavier rock and it usually shoots off nice flakes for notches and good abrasion tools , but I think it was brilliant to show the most basic method, there is a lot of wisdom in that

[@6022]

It's great to see these real fire starting videos, showing what an ordeal this can be to do. The number of times throughout human history that someone must have cursed at a broken firebow string, or have it slip out of the hole while they're spinning it has to be almost without measure.

[@odelloutdoors3424]

I’ve watched this a few times. I could watch it over and over. Very cool.

[@keysersoze9946]

Just Fantastic! and thank God for storm proof matches...

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! It makes you question the "more you know the less you carry" mantra. More I play with this stuff, the more I understand how important it is to carry a reliable fire kit.

[@rickyoutandabout2765]

Loved every second of this video! Very well done! Im sure you got a great sense of achievement afterwards too. Making your tolls and that you actually showed that it didn't all go your way made this video for me

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ricky! 👍

[@rexj.weinheimer2279]

Kudos! Very kewl! I looked real hard for some flint/chirt in that river rock you were perusing, didn't see any. Then I realized you were looking for certain other stones to fashion abrasive, chopper and cutting tools from. Good show. I couldn't tell if your bow string was woven from the roots you pulled and processed or not. If it was the roots, you really did make some great looking cordage. Another mind expanding fire-making demo. Thanks and Godspeed. PS: I missed seeing your firebug Labrador.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Rex! I'm still trying to figure out the best stones for making tools in my area, but I don't think we have any flint or chert. This stuff definitely wasn't ideal, but it was good enough to make do. The cordage was just split cedar roots made a bit more flexible by soaking in the creek. I'll get Lupo out on another filming day for you soon.

[@OmegaSpecter87]

Absolutely awesome level of patience and perseverance. Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks OmegaSpecter87! 🙂

[@amenhighfill9580]

Thanks for showing the hardships also. The wise primate learns as much from other's hard times as much as his own.

[@GrumpyGrunt]

Dayum, dude. Every video is a master class in some new aspect of fire making. 👏

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! Just fumbling my way back to what used to be common knowledge 🙂

[@garyminick1050]

Perseverance when taken to its ends is always rewarding. Great job.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gary!

[@NHHUNTNH]

Wow, that looked frustrating! You are persistent! (In a good way😉). Great work, thank you. That was a treat to see!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Christopher. Sometimes you can make up for lack of skill/knowledge with just enough stubbornness. 😆

[@hikerbro3870]

Thank you, my friend. THIS is survival. Very well done. Much learned.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks HB!

[@sishalsept8327]

So instead of NW Primate, I think your new name should be Captain Cave Man! lol Great demonstration. I am watching more closely and am learning much. Well done

[@nwprimate6416]

Great to see you over here on YT vicesaha! 🙂

[@fortcastlevgn2368]

WOW NO AX YOU REALLY ARE THE REAL DEAL WOW FINALLY thousands of FKIN VIDEOS AND FINALLY SOMEONE WHO GETS THE FROM SCRAtch definition or from nothing or all similar wording THAT I NEVER COULD FIND A VIDEO ACTUALLY FROM nothing

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Well done good to see this done with all nature materials. From start to finish. Know that a fire good job

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks SM!

[@foopadr9076]

I can smell the sweet scent from chared smoke all the way to here just by watching.

[@joeurbina2267]

Wow. Simply magnificent. Holy tinder fire bender - that was awesome.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Joe! 🙂

[@privatepuffer]

Simply outstanding. Definitely a lot of hard work went into this one. Also very impressive location. Beautiful.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Outsider!

[@johnquerin5907]

Perhaps your most beautiful fire yet primate.Really impressive, Thank you.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks John!

[@UT-CLANS]

Very well done . Thank you for sharing .

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks RP! 🙂

[@buchgeisterralf3251]

Thanks again for a wonderfull video, showing your great skills and pretty awfull patience. take care and greetings from germany Ralf

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ralf 🙂

[@spraguewhissell1912]

It's such a great feeling to know you have the skills to craft essential items from natural materials. Thanks for sharing and great job!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Sprague!

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

That was superb. I havnt tried completely from scratch yet with no modern tools. I will do soon though. Fantastic job 🖒🔥

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂 Let me know how it goes for you. This wasn't the first time I tried this, so don't give up if it doesn't work immediately. I would be interested in hearing how it goes for you if you remember to keep me updated.

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

NW Primate l will definitely let you know how I get on 🖒🔥

[@keithcronk7980]

GREAT JOB ALOT OF PEOPLE IN BUSHCRAFT & PREPPING COMMUNITY CAN LEARN A THING OR 2 FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU BROTHER WE SUB. THAT'S REAL AND SO ARE YOU. THANK YOU.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Keith! 🙂

[@terryoneill9163]

wow i have never seen this done before,awesome your the FIREMAN

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Terry! 🙂

[@victormindfield]

Great video! I've tried a few 100% from scratch on the spot attempts with stone knifes and failed. I just need to spend more time trying with more kits. I have no problem when it comes to using real knives and rope and giving the wood time to dry. So I know for a fact how tuff it was for you to get this going. lol Very good job man!

[@Moskydeep]

I got the same problem when a start the roll ....i thing this was more easy , My ego learn a lesson that day ,was a long and cold night haha thanks Awesome job brotha 💪

[@nwprimate6416]

Sounds like experience talking to me!

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

it looks like real spring there already, very nice :D I like how you made everything with just local "tools" great video. I did that once also but it took me 4 hours to complete the set because the rocks were really not that good and I cheated by using a leather lace, that I brought with me.. this is truly a great challenge and an awesome experience. great job. -Matej

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! Nice work making that happen. This one took me about four hours too. It really makes you appreciate a sharp piece of steel.

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

yes exactly.

[@grantberry7575]

You always do a great video! Thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Grant!

[@jacquiblanchard3131]

That was awesome, Brian! Well done!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jacqui!

[@jrozanec1]

what a skill , determination and patience

[@Penjejak_Rimba]

Fuh, memang style & power la bro boleh buat camni. Salute!

[@sabercat2178]

This is the bushcraft I enjoy the most. Purely primitive. No modern tools.

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Impressive. Really, very well done 👍🏻

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Chris! 🙂

[@YankeesOutdoorAdventures]

Another awesome demonstration my friend👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks YOA! 🙂

[@xyzct]

Soooo many skills coming together in that video.

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂👍

[@johnearhart8811]

Wow. Truly amazing. Anyone jumps over your bar, they better practice a very long time. Thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks John!

[@lobopropredatorcontrol]

Very nicely done,great content 👌 👍

[@craigmooring2091]

What a feat. Perseverance pays.

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@bikepackingmitherbert1153]

...for all the gear junkies....well done....I will try that too..

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks WOK! Have fun out there!

[@fire_x_friction8820]

That's a tough one!!!! Nice

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gary!

[@SwampValley]

Your fire skills are amazing, makes my want to be better

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Swamp Valley!

[@thomtom5473]

hello Mac primate the king of fire by friction what mastery !! I think you live in the Pacific! but where without being indiscreet! I'm wrong maybe, at least the landscape is beautiful. great video.

[@nwprimate6416]

Good eye Thom! I live in beautiful western Washington state.

[@thomtom5473]

NW Primate hello thanks you for the answer! 👍 😎

[@brianferris1233]

You are at the top of your field 👏

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! :)

[@MrScreaney]

Primitive or not, your ingenuity is such an inspiration for me to get out and try some basic fire starting techniques. The neanderthals would be proud. Was the tinder bundle shredded cedar in a wrap of dried douglas fir branches (6:59)? Nice job!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Shaun! You pretty much nailed the bundle too. I think the branches might be silver fir, but that's basically irrelevant as Doug fir would work just as well.

[@palehorsesurvivalandtactic9771]

Outstanding Brother Excellent job:)

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! 🙂

[@simonpukeho1096]

Oh, this is interesting and best wishes from India

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Simon! 🙂

[@WayneTheSeine]

You are the bar.

[@garyminick1050]

Wayne The Seine amen to that, he is the bar!

[@WayneTheSeine]

He is something else....his videos are so well done. Perfect music and good fades in appropriate places. I like the way the music starts when the hope kicks in. :)

[@garyminick1050]

Yes Wayne his videos are as genius as his fire making skills !

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Wayne & Gary! 🙂

[@hemansr3893]

Your skills are top notch brudda!! That was a real cool video!!.....Was that sunshine I saw? Thanks for the lesson!! :>)>

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks HemanSr! I was as surprised as you to see the sunshine. It definitely made things easier for me, and it felt like spring out there.

[@emeyer816]

This video makes it look so easy. I would have been throwing things!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks CT. The temptation to throw things is always there. 🙂

[@Woodswalker1965]

You earned that fire👌🔥

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! 🙂

[@seanthomasdowd]

that was totally fascinating, stone age brits may have had it easier since surface outcroppings of iron ore and flint were common, bashing two rocks together though wouldn't make as good a vid :)

[@nwprimate6416]

I would love to try that one day. I'm not sure if I have suitable materials locally, but it will be fun trying to find out.

[@seanthomasdowd]

iron ore/iron pyrite is easy to find on line, I carry a piece in my fire kit

[@Saguache]

Good, you got some of that sunshine too

[@nwprimate6416]

It was around 55 degrees! I was sweating in a t-shirt with snow on the ground. 😆

[@waytodude486]

You finally got it congratulations! I don't know what else you could do maybe wish a fire to start. lol Great job! How much total time did it take you?

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks waytodude! This one took just a little over four hours from pushing the tree over to the bundle flaming up. Everything takes longer when you have to set up the camera for each shot, but the process itself was still very time consuming when compared with starting out with a knife and a piece of string.

[@stevestanley5183]

Thanks for sharing

[@nwprimate6416]

You're very welcome Steve. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@m005kennedy]

Take those boots off, it so unauthentic for the time period !😉 great video

[@nwprimate6416]

😅👍

[@daveagar5594]

Dude you are the BEST.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy.

[@teenagersbureau5898]

Just loved it 😊, tht is the real thing which i was looking for

[@VanishingNomad]

Very nice! Well done!

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@Prepare2Survive]

Very well done. How many hours did it take? Your materials looked wet so I would be very surprised if you managed to get everything done and film everything in 2 or 3 hours.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Prepare2Survive! I checked the timestamps on the videos and from the tree coming down to the bundle lighting up was just over four hours. Some of that was roaming around looking for materials, and everything takes a little longer when you have to deal with the camera, but this still took a lot longer than it would with a knife and some cordage.

[@QuantumMech_88]

Fantastic and much appreciated.

[@scottnock5241]

Fantastic skills!!! I always wanted to try this now I have time. I’ve always heard that the type of wood makes a difference? Is there any truth to that or do you just need dried wood does the spindle need to be a different type of wood then the base you’re drilling into? I’m from Pennsylvania so primarily we have cherry oak and maple’s readily available not too many exotics near Pittsburgh. Appreciate any insight. Thank you

[@nomadichunter2818]

Haha now you're looking like me when doing a bowdrill. Difference is, you get an ember. Amazing stuff. What materails where used for board and spindle in this one? I see the fatwood handle.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! This was Pacific Silver fir.

[@Czechsix]

You actually had quite a bit of decent, knappable cobbles around you. I think you'll do quite well once you figure the knapping end of things out.

[@nwprimate6416]

That's encouraging! I'm at the very beginning stages when it comes to stones, so I hope to be able to ID some better alternatives as I learn more. I plan on using stones again in future videos, so please let me know if you ever recognize anything I'm using.

[@WallaceTheRed]

I'm feeling very unadequate all of a sudden

[@nwprimate6416]

😆

[@UT-CLANS]

inadequate ?

[@keithjohnson3357]

Hardcore. Wow.

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@weozol4065]

This video should have minimum 1mill views, and im confident u will get there, I mean I see 1 mill views on bushcraft trash videos.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks weozol. 🙂

[@MichiganHiker]

Amazing skills. What kind of wood were you using to make the set and what root was used for the cordage? Fantastic job, thank you for sharing this.

[@duxdawg]

Not just the species of wood is important, but also what condition it is in.

[@MichiganHiker]

duxdawg that is of course true, what is more interesting too me is the species as he is on the west coast and I am from the Great Lakes and I'm not familiar with what species of tree that was.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Michigan Hiker! It's sometimes a little tricky for me to tell exact species when the foliage is gone, but this was definitely a fir, and based on the hardness of the wood, I would say it was most likely a Douglas fir.

[@nwprimate6416]

Very true duxdawg!

[@MichiganHiker]

Thanks for the info. My wife is a naturalist educator and was very interested in your making the cordage. She wants to explore the use of natural fibers in the programs she presents, so thank you for the info.

[@xionix4]

Something I don't understand, perhaps because I've never successfully got an ember either way, is why there is so much momentum towards a bow drill and neglect for the fire plough. If cordage is so fickle, wouldn't the fire plough be an easier method? Is the fire plough so much harder than a bow drill to use that fighting for good enough cordage is so worth it?

[@leocalabro1114]

Awesome stuff

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Leo!

[@vancouverislandbushcraft4879]

wow...that's all I have to say...WOW

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy! 🙂

[@akinnon2000]

lifesaving skills. thanks

[@groundladderquicktips9957]

What kind of tree are the roots from? And is the bearing block fatwood? Thanks great video.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks man. The roots were Western Red Cedar and the block is fatwood.

[@seekNdestroy217]

What kind of wood would recommend for a Bow Drill?? And also hows the tracker knife?

[@nwprimate6416]

Dry wood. 😆 My experience is limited to materials found in the Pacific Northwest, but as a general rule softer woods tend to be easier; but dryness and condition often matter more than species. I'm not sure what part of the world you are in, but I like conifers like firs, cedars, and hemlocks when it is really wet out, and soft deciduous trees like alders and cottonwoods when things dry out.

[@TheLightningGate]

well no wonder the caveman always said ugg - his bowsting was always snapping

[@nwprimate6416]

😆

[@EatCarbs]

Thanks for the video

[@Bushmanschool]

Nice vid bro

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Bushman school!

[@William_Asston]

Wow beautiful knife in this video! Honestly though this video is a masterpiece. I could hardly get an ember after days of practice and using every bit of bushcraft equipment i have. This video is mocking me ahahaha!

[@ethanjamesgarcia3914]

So it can be done with rocks other than flint

[@alistairg6770]

Bloody hell! Brilliant.