Helping You To Succeed At Friction Fire Bow Drill - Part 2

[@TerryC69]

One of the reasons you are my "go to guy" for bushcraft instruction, is your amazing gift for giving all the detail I need without bogging down with too much irrelevant commentary. I also appreciate the fact that your videos are real DIY topics rather than product promotions disguised as DIY videos. Thanks, Lonnie!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+DiCom Presents Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoy the videos.

[@tonybraines7172]

As a practitioner of Chinese Martial Arts for some 38 years I was very impressed by your instruction as to body mechanics to make the work a lot easier. I advocate your principles an awful lot in my Gung Fu classes. I love to watch a master of another art at work. Yours in brotherhood Lonnie. T

[@MrFinnbog]

This is the first video Ive seen that actually gives a real description of how to start and finish the friction fire process. dozens of others simple show the last step, the prep work (and vital step) is left out. Well done Thank you

[@theonecandlestickmastery]

I wish I had a love button! Thanks, now I know how to start!

[@wakeandsee]

You are an excellent teacher Lonnie, so glad I found your videos, thank you.

[@MsNailgun]

I have watched a lot of videos on this subject but yours is by far the best I've seen. You explain in great detail things no one else has. Thanks.

[@ImaBerry-sl8le]

Came back to the expert to get reaquainted with the bow drill,thanks Lonnie! Lots of good info here!

[@chakathewolf]

I have been successful in every fire-starting technique except this one. I cannot WAIT to try again! Thanks!

[@badbadbob1]

Very good information. I saw in part 1 where you tested for moisture with your lip. I learned that many years ago. You put the cut end on your cheek, If it cools your face, Its wet. If it feels brush like and no heat transfer, Then its dry and usable for fire wood. You the first one to confirm that to me.

[@chrisallen5548]

Thanks, these two parts (1 and 2) on the bow drill are the most helpful I've seen. It's really key about the notch filling up with the dust, no one else explains that or why it's important.

[@Waldwaerts]

Skill is making the difficult look easy. Well done, Lonnie! You got me motivated to try it again - right now :) Again, thank you for sharing this! All the best, Bernhard

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Waldwärts I wish you well Bernard. Good luck.

[@Halligan515]

Fantastic videos! I just made my first bow drill set this week, made one ember then had all sorts of troubles with cord slippage, which you show how to mitigate, and a few other errors that you've showed me how to correct. I can't wait to fix the issues tomorrow!

[@bobbyking2819]

I have learned bow drilling, magnifying glass, etc., to know how to make fire, but my goal is to always be prepared, so as to never need to use it. Same goes with shelter building. I have spent nights out and barely survived, so am determined to always have modern conveniences and to enjoy nature at its best. Learn all you can for knowledge sake, but plan to never need it. Same goes for snaring and trapping. There are many different methods shown on KZbin and other sources, but few that are real game getters. I take from a good one, and improve on it, until I am satisfied it will get the job done. Why eat little birds, mice ,and rats, if larger game is present? Thanks Lonnie, for your insight... Love your channel. I had a beard for twenty five years, but got tired of it,ha...

[@glen1arthur]

Very well done I my grandfather taught me how to do this. With all love and respect I have for him. You did a better job of explaining the how and why, now I can do a better job of teaching my children. Thank you regards & respect glen

[@outdoors-university]

Both videos are full of valuable information! Thanks Lonie! Stay safe and keep having fun!

[@jamesmumford8718]

Great tutorial. I tried to teach myself bow drill a couple of years back and always got plenty of smoke from the set I built, but never an ember. You have inspired me to do a bit more research into wood choice and try again with a new set.

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Thanks a lot! I will use punkwood from now on!

[@DieselDoktor]

Great info. Thank you for these videos. They’ve given me the confidence to attempt this after having some horrible failures when I was younger. 👍🏻

[@carol-anntrudell9990]

Watched 1 & 2. Very helpful. Thank you again. God bless you and Connie.

[@tallcedars2310]

Held off with my new willow bow drill set until this video. Having that straight arm really made a difference and am now looking forward to trying to fill the notch with far less effort using that thinner hearthboard . And 20 strokes to get that ember, nothing short of amazing, rather like magic from my perspective:) This personal challenge has turned out to be far more difficult than imagined but with your help I am taking steps forward every time. Thanks Lonnie!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Tall Cedars Good luck and may you be a master at friction fire someday.

[@tallcedars2310]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival Hi Lonnie, have found if I really pay attention to your instruction, bow drilling is successful! As soon as I forget one of the details, it fails, so am learning how to pay attention, lol. Am working on becoming more efficient and enjoying the process, thanks to these two videos. Am noticing that my dust is generated quicker if I start slow and easy as you stated in this video and see that I had far too much weight(aka force) in my pressure at the beginning. And when I count 20 strokes after keeping the smoke to a minimum, this makes the process more successful also. Must say this personal challenge has become less frustrating and more focused on what it takes to make a friction fire, thanks so much! My next step is to use punkwood with the ember, my fingers are crossed:) Hope your plans are coming along for your trip to the Yukon! Atb to you and Connie from central northern B.C.

[@daltonvickers7977]

You are an excellent teacher. Everything is so well explained. Thanks

[@nobodynobody8470]

Thank you for another excellent video. I wish you were in Virginia to teach me. But all the same...I still enjoy and learn from you. You're great. Don't ever stop. Thank you so much.

[@TuckerSP2011]

I loved seeing Buck up front. I think he wanrs his own show! You sure made that look easy Lonnie!

[@buchgeisterralf3251]

Congrats for your calm and very thorough presentations. Thank you very much for your fine experience. I will try it myself.

[@Protectselfdefence]

Once again instruction from a man that knows his stuff, great advice and vid thank you.

[@richholtzman9754]

Excellent video series Lonnie. Best I've seen on bow drill tips. Thanks.

[@danofiremano]

Great video! I tried the bow drill a few days ago and almost had a good working ember, but do to time issues I had to abort the mission. Going to try it again soon and it will be successful now that I'm armed with more knowledge! I really like the idea of not bending too far over for better pressure. Both of these videos helped a lot, Thanks!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

good luck

[@backwoodstrails]

Very nice presentation - one tip you didn't mention but you actually did it, was to stabilize the hearth board before you take you foot off. I have seen "experts" pull their foot off only to move the board and break up their ember because they didn't put their hand on the board and stabilize it (as you showed) prior to moving their foot off. You put out a lot of good information, keep up the great work!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+backwoodstrails You make an excellent point and is one that I should have mentioned.

[@amfr1013]

Wow! Thanks to your advice I did succeed om my third attempt - after having spoiled the dust by dropping everything everywhere on the first two attempts... Thank you Lonny for your very good tips and tricks, the feeling of beeing able to light a fire with no more than some wood is amazing :) To me the hardest thing to make this work was to find a good-enough bearing block...

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+amfr That is awesome. Thanks for letting me know about your success.

[@harrythehobbit3772]

Cheers a very formative video. I liked the fact that u exsplained the theory why u did everything rather then just stating what u should do. Have a good summer☺

[@Taromovies]

Great Part two Lonnie!!! Thanks for sharing your experience my friend and have a great weekend, take care, Taro

[@MultiRusty111]

Thanks Lonnie.Both videos part i and 2 helped me.I hope to soon get out there and get back into practicing.

[@usarmyfl1]

Thanks for all that you do for the outdoor/bushcraft/survival community. Your videos are top notch and informative! :)

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

That was great, thanks. I've seen a lot of bow drills failures on survival shows I can now see why.

[@scotunotee707]

Thank you again Sir. I love how you explain the theory as to why you want to do it a certain way.

[@Hoyerlift101]

You are awesome!! What a great demeanor you have. Steady and true.

[@jnipp71]

In the midwest states, we were taught to use Red Elm when we can find it. It's getting harder to find. I've gotten sparks from many different species of lower end hard woods. I had never considered willow or poplar to be suitable. I will try them. Thanks.

[@jackhong1981]

Very detail!!! you are taking bow drill to the next level...

[@paulwastaken]

Thanks Lonnie, an excellent instructional video series. I have not tried willow so look forward to giving it a go very soon. all the best, Paul.

[@randytuson9433]

I thought I knew how to use a bow drill but you taught me so many things I feel it's as if this is my first time thank you very much

[@raincoast9010]

Thanks for the fine demonstration and tips, I really like your bow design. I see a lot of people had the same thought as me with regards to your beard catching fire.

[@blueguy12345]

Great couse on bow drills ! Thanks !!! I'll try all of this next time i'm in the woods for sure !

[@mr.richardarthurleeivbsc1166]

LOOKS EASY!! THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE

[@NorwegianWoods]

It is all in the details. The use of punk wood seems like a good idea :) Thanks for sharing - Martin

[@dylanfoxaygameh5281]

thank you for sharing your experience :) very helpful ive attempted plowdrilling with a dry pine branch and a blank of wood and I got smoke the very first try but after that I neve could get it again to smoke. thank you for the bow dril advice :) very helpful

[@UDoIt2]

8:50 Great video encouraging others to do this. Keeping the lost art alive!!!

[@Woodenarrows]

Thanks Lonnie. Great tip with the punkwood, I like that stuff. I need to remake my bowdrill set and start anew with you advice. Take care...

[@akdriller8806]

As usual, clear and concise, Thank you Lonnie.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Thanks Lonnie for your hard work. Wonderful instruction.

[@DamianBloodstone]

I feel able to try that again. I never did get to try my quartz and pyrite yet. This weekend it is going to rain again. Thanks for showing all the steps and tricks. Take Care and Stay Safe, my friend.

[@lynordb]

Thanks for being excellent at explaining the details in-depth? I use the same approach when I teach the bible verse by verse, I felt the experience in you with the confidence you taught me I the videos pt 1 & 2? Thanks again and YHVH God bless you and your family.

[@johncarter4411]

I just made my first bow drill fire. Your tips and video helped make it happen.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Awesome. Glad you achieved success.

[@randyparker8009]

👍's up and may the good Lord bless.

[@davidharvey5672]

A nice duo of videos, thank you. I have problems with the choices offered on the web site you gave. Not being a woodsman the tree names meant little to me. Additionally i live in a different part of the world and although i am sure with all the diversity the US has there's a place identical to England, common names also vary. I'm wondering if it would be a helpful subject for a video, to help people such as myself, to show choosing wood not by tree names but by the qualities the wood offers in relation to creating the required friction. Cheers Lonnie.

[@Arkimedus]

You almost made that look too easy, wow very helpful series!

[@jensenreece]

Great video! I really think this will help me increase my success. I live in Iowa and have had the best luck with willow and cottonwood which are easy to find.

[@TheRealChetManley]

Excellent video...I come back to it before I every attempt

[@jackwalsh1468]

Another great DIY instructional video, Lonnie. Cheers, Mate.

[@artistben7]

I am a fan of your channel Lonnie, your educational and you take your time to show how to properly accomplish your tasks. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

[@dennissmith3201]

Lonnie that was excellent thank you for explaining in the details you have very well put thank you

[@Biglandtrapper]

Excellent video, your a great teacher Lonnie......

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+William Larkham Jr (Bigland Trapper) Thank you my friend

[@in2thepickers950]

your video's are some of the best bushcraft out there

[@TurtleBushcraft]

Great serious lots of good tips I haven't tried the bow drill yet putting it on my list of things to try thanks for the great information atb John

[@southpawbushcraft7522]

This was extremely helpful Lonnie thank you for taking the time to do this video to help everybody out. ~Dawn

[@We_are_the_light]

awesome Lonnie. you're the best man.. such a great teacher..👍

[@jabney7]

Excellent tutorial on friction fire. Thanks!

[@rish1459]

Thanks, Lonnie! I want to try this soon, and have been watching a bunch of videos on it. These two are very helpful...

[@suecrawly]

Thank you for your great explanations in Part 1 and Part 2

[@johnfreakinggalt2828]

Great series. This gave me the confidence to go out and make a bow drill set and practice. Subscribed.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I wish you luck in achieving friction fire success. Thank you for subscribing and welcome to the channel. Glad to have you.

[@Quickdraw812]

I like watching your videos. I know there are so many to choose from. But yours are very well explained. I have taken survival classes at the Pathfinder survival school Dave Canterbury. I could not get the bow drill down. I have done it just twice. And I honestly don't know how I did it. But watching the first part and the second part of these videos. Is very well explained. I believe I can go with confidence and get it done. Also I live in Indiana so Tulip poplar and Cedar is my choices.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Good luck and may you succeed in your endeavors.

[@trentonmaloney3280]

you, my friend are very good at this.i and my son specialize in hand drill, but the information in this video was enlightening, and you get an ember really fast. 20 strokes is freaky awesome! we like to use mullein or yucca both of with are very common here.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+trenton maloney I envy those who have native natural mullein. We do not have that here in Alaska. I use last year's dead Elder stalks here for hand drill.

[@trentonmaloney3280]

if you want, i can harvest a bunch of stalks and send them to you, the flowers that come attached are great cough medicine!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+trenton maloney I really appreciate that but I prefer to use local things since that is most likely where I will be if I ever NEED to use survival knowledge. I do have a source to get mullein from the lower 48 through relatives as well and have used what they sent me as a medicinal for my lungs. I appreciate your willingness. Thanks any way

[@couz10]

Thanks for the vid Lonnie! Very well done!

[@TonchyShultz]

Thx Loonie.. great instructional videos of Bow drill... Keep up the great work and we like to see some more ! Greetings from Canada! :-)

[@CanadianPrepper]

Is your beard also an EDC tinder source? hehe Great video as usual thanks for the tips in part 1 and 2.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Canadian Prepper Most people carry their fire kit in their packs or pockets. I carry mine on my face. lol

[@Im-just-Stardust]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival Hahaha

[@MrTrollHunter]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival LOL Have you ever had your beard catch fire when blowing at the ember?

[@blueguy12345]

I'm sure sparks have flown in that bush atleast once ! ;-)

[@nikitachirich7985]

This guy is amazing he taught me how to do this years ago in north colorado I still have the drill he gave me . CP I love ya too say hi to American Prepper for me .

[@jeffseaton5193]

Nice work Lonnie. You make that look easy

[@harrythehobbit3772]

Your video wa very usefull and you really explain everything well. You really have a wonderful talent in the field

[@timcushman2834]

Very nice video, I've learned a lot from you, thankyou for making great instructional videos.

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

wow many many well known bush crafters watch your stuff like i do !!!!! and some i need to check out. thanks and blessings sir !!!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

We tend to watch each others channels since we can often learn from each other.

[@Hoyerlift101]

Took my first lick at doing friction fire today. Lots of smoke! Lots of dust! But no ember yet.... I know I’m going to get it, with your wonderful and patient instruction. It was super easy to get all that smoke. Just don’t know if my knowledge is sent in my hearth board correctly.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

This video may also be of help for you. Good luck. Why You Fail At Bow Drill Friction Fire kzbin.info/www/bejne/earXhYB9fJp9ea8

[@Hoyerlift101]

Thanks Lonnie!!

[@myopiniondoesntmatter8958]

you're more seasoned than my granny's cast iron cook set! Excellent video! thanks for sharing.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+my opinion doesn't matter lol thanks, I'll take that as an honor, since a well seasoned cast iron cookware is an item to cherish

[@myopiniondoesntmatter8958]

+Far North Bushcraft And Survival Yes sir!

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

Cool video lonnie, At the beginning that camera angle makes your dog look absolutely massive hahaha. Thanks again for the tips. Over the spring I plan to experiment with friction fire.

[@Dutch_Prepper]

Yesssss ... Part 2 !! Let me get some snacks and enjoy this , on my laptop in bed :)

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+Dutch Prepper lol Enjoy my friend.

[@OldBiologist]

Bow drill ember on a MS July evening. My bride and I got it done. Thanks for the practical guidance, Lonnie! Eskimo strap drill is next. Got a hole burned in my hearth board.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Congratulations on your success and thanks for letting me know that the videos were helpful. Good luck on the Eskimo Strap Drill.

[@WhitetailBushcraft]

Great video series bro !!!!!! keep up the great work

[@tomritter493]

great tutorial Lonni my sere instructor always told us for a bow wrist to arm pit is about right say hey to Connie atb .. tom

[@bomackful]

Hiya Lonnie I'm newly subscribed. I've watched nearly all of your videos and I appreciate your skill and confidence level. Thanks for passing your years of experience on to the next guy, that's the way it should be. Love your videos!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Thank you much for subscribing. Glad to have you and welcome to the channel.

[@jeffseaton5193]

Great tips on the bow drill and it helps

[@ronbutler6526]

Great conclusion to the series, thanks very much : )

[@paulhowes1396]

It sure is pretty cool watching you work at stuff with relative ease. Where would mankind be without fire? Up the creek without a paddle i guess? Anyway two Brilliant video`s on the subject of the fire drill. Thank you kindly. BB, from the UK.

[@albionMurv]

very good video,,,full of great information. thank you

[@amightyatom]

Wonderful video as usual. Gotta feeling were all gonna need all this info one day. Deepest thanks for preserving it forever. There seemed no info on shape of blunt end and notch though. Hoping something can be added. All the best Lonnie

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I didn't go into the notching of the hearth board or the end shaping of the spindle due to my method being no different than most others out there. There are plenty of other videos out there that cover that. You do want your spindle to be rounded ended on the bottom and rather sharper pointed end on the top since you want to maximize friction on the bottom and minimize friction on top. The hearth board hole needs to be near the edge of the board and then make a wedge shaped notch that is approximately a 1/8th portion of a circle. Have your notch end just slightly short of the middle of the bottom of your divet or hole.

[@amightyatom]

Thank you very much. Hadn't checked any other vids as I was enjoying yours so much. You are a wonderful teacher and person. Take care

[@redbeard6606]

Thanks for the tips Lonnie.

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

Lonnie all of your information has been helpful, I gave credit to you and your Channel in my bow-drill success video, took some work but can make it happen now.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+VE3FAL1_Fred That is great news to hear of your successes. It is a great feeling to reach the point where you feel some confidence in your abilities. Thanks for the shout out. I appreciate it.

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

Yes it is, and I have made the bearing block end as sharp as I can to make less friction and it works like a hot tamale, thanks again for your awesome videos and experience sharing

[@lancashirelad7565]

Many thanks mister i now know were i was going wrong Bless yer.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Extent that coal! We have been sticking the spindle into the ground with the hearth end of the drill pointing up. Curious what your thoughts are on hand drill and the comparison to the bow drill in the length of bow, I get about 4 or 5 revolution with the hand drill, which seem like the same effect a short bow would give to the bow drill set. I think it is important to stress the quality of material, and said quality will either make on work a lot or not so much. I have never tried counting like that, I am going to adopt it, I think it gives another focus, making the whole operation more solid, in a way.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+downeast primitive skills Often times our ground can be damp. By sticking the bearing block end of the spindle in the ground, I would think that the wood cells would swell and expand and then not be able to resist friction as well. Of course though, as long as the end is damp, that very fact would probably help to lubricate the end to *reduce* friction at least until it dries out. After using the spruce needles for lube, the end of the spindle as well as the bearing block are polished shiny and virtually wear free. Having a thinner bow drill spindle makes quite a difference in the amount of revolutions you can achieve per bow stroke. And You are right, the longer the stroke on the bow (IE the longer the bow), the more spindle rotations one can achieve.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

That is the theory, the ground keeps the end damper, it also keeps the business end off the ground. Easy to do, no need to find a dry place to set the spindle. In the snow it really easy and the end doesn't get dirty. Speaking of the bearing block end on the spindle, my kids discovered that ice is a great bearing block. I keep pushing this concept, give it a go some time. One of my boys uses a new divot in the bearing block every time, after burn in, after warm up, after first fail, then success! Four holes. We joke sometime on the number of holes in the bearing block. I have also a nostalgic place of methodology for dried spruce pitch crunched into the divot, it is how I first learned, still use it from time to time. A crunched soda can is one of my favorites, trash found at a camp sit or washed up on the shore of a lake, or along a road side. I do enjoy a good glossy divot from a well used set. Iv'e often pondered the importance of the spindle stopping and reversing direction, as compared to a long bow and more revolutions in one direction. Many people, including myself have chucked into an electric drill or a hand cranked breast drill a small stick and proceeded to burn in an attempt at friction fire, often with poor results. No reversal and switching of direction to loosen the fibers which contribute to the potential coal. All the same a nice long bow is still a good idea. It allows room to choke up on a loose string for tighten, as you mentioned in part one. More relaxing to. Thanks for chatting these things up, I like friction fire and all its idiosyncrasies.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

+downeast primitive skills I love that idea of using ice for a bearing block. I never thought of it but I'm sure it would work awesome. More chance though of it cracking and sending the spindle up through your hand. Would have to use some thick ice chunks to avoid that. You thoughts on the wood fibers being bent one way and then reversing the bend when drill reverses is something also that I had not thought of. If that does indeed play an important role in success then perhaps a shorter bow would be most advantages when using the end grain hearth board such as I did in a video recently. The fibers of the drill and of the hearth would be in opposites directions from each other and each stop and reverse would cause greater friction more often.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Oh, I enjoyed the end grain video! Have not given it a go, yet. Haven't had an ice block break, I presume it could happen, usually have a mitten on that time of the year. Super friction free. Had one going late last spring with the water dripping on the set, not from the spindle but from the exposure to the sun, dug the ice out of a snow bank in the shade. it was a fail, unknown species of ornamental shrub in a neighbors yard.

[@mikefrogg3132]

Awesome job!! my friend keep up the great work and video's,

[@lalleprutt868]

Great tutorial! Thanks Lonnie..

[@terryashton9213]

Very nice Shelter Lonnie.

[@thatsmallrockshop]

willow bark in general is good for headache and minor body aches and pain. it contains salicitic acid. although im sure ive spelled that wrong.lol ive used it quite alot usually chew the bark a bit and pouch it in the cheek. im a first nation person from canada. ive learned quite a bit of the old ways also make bows and arrows amongst other things.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes I have made an extract from the willow bark and used it for aches and pains. It works well but the variety of willow that I used requires many droppers full of the extract to bring pain relief

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

The leaves can also be chewed for pain relief during the leaf growing season. A half dozen leaves when chewed often times brings pain relief. Chewed willow leaves (spit poultice) is excellent for placing on a bee sting or fly bite etc to reduce swelling and pain caused by the insect bite.

[@briancuprisin4571]

You get an instant like just for the pup. :D