The Hand Drill, What Works For Me.

[@JohnAlot]

I learned more from your channel in the last month than I have in the last 2 years of most other bushcraft/survival channels. Your method of breaking it down for the slowest of us to learn makes you the best teacher I've seen on KZbin! Thanks again!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thank you my friend! That's always great to hear brother.

[@cesalt2408]

Bad sloppy split is exactly what anyone is likely to encounter in a survival situation. Even as a newbie, I can see that. Such a great lesson you given us here!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Aint that the truth! Wood is gonna do what the grain wants to do!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Im glad you liked it bro. I was given some good advice when I started this channel. "Keep it as real as possible, you never know when someone life may be saved by the content of your videos" I thought long and hard about that and it was good advice. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching my friend.

[@MsRegina333]

David, do not underestimate the value of this video. I watched it again while cooking dinner. It is a lost art that should be mandatory to pass down to our children or somebody's children! Our surroundings, our environment, how we can survive in it, respect it and Enjoying it, will endure and is very fulfilling. Your videos are very De-stressing for many of us and I thank you once again.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Well actually I under estimate all my vids because prank clown vids get all the views now. LOL. Im happy you liked it and think so much of my vids. I like to think that Im doing something positive and am being a positive influence on kids. Theres way too much negativity in the world now. Take care and Thanks for watching Ms. Regina

[@richardcranium6554]

This vid didnt PITH me off at all. I learned alot, and I know some weeds, just never knew you could use them for drills. Dave, you CAN teach an old dawg new tricks! Ha.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Lol, I'm glad you liked it Richard!

[@tingfact]

I am so impressed. Your knowledge of the woodland is genuine and deserves to be passed on. Also appreciate your conservation techniques. Keep up the good work.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Ugly, honest, and effective! Appreciate how you keep it real on your vids. Always a learning experience watching you. Keep doing the stuff!!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Survival Sherpa LOL, Three words to describe it perfectly! Thanks Brother for your words and Thanks for watching

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Reallybigmonkey1 Hey man, got my first hand drill coal today... but it was on the tip of my mullein spindle on eastern red cedar. Any advice to get that thing to form in the notch?? Thanks for your time, brother.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Survival Sherpa First oof, the notch may be too small. Try and open up the angle of it a little to give it more room for a coal pile to form instead of sticking on the bottom of the spindle. If its already a fairly large notch, taper the underside of the notch on the bottom of the hearthboard. Good luck bro and keep trying

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Reallybigmonkey1 Widened the notch and hollowed the pith on the spindle and have gotten coals each day for the last four days! Thanks for the help and following along with me.

[@windsorbushcraftandsurviva8428]

You haven't posted a whole lot of hand-drill videos, but the few that you have posted have been extremely helpful to me. Thanks!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! I'm glad you found them helpful.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Excellent video on the hand drill! The top/seed pod of the Mullein can be saturated with tallow, petroleum jelly or the likes and makes a really good torch at camp etc. I agree on serrations. Some say they have no place in bushcraft but i also have found them pretty handy at times. The same goes for tanto blades. They make good chisels. Regards

[@neilblackman2965]

Much appreciated, the fact you identify the types of woods to use alone put this video head and shoulders above any of the others I've seen.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thank you Neil!

[@yatyas311]

Most videos are the same. Yours think outside the box. I love them. always look forward to seeing a new one! Awesome as always

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them that much! Thanks for watching

[@crooksidewood]

Being out of work, you have no idea how much your videos are doing for me, during these sleepless nights !!

[@loobylooy]

Well said...... And you have demonstrated how to use these woods in real time, that's the best video i have seen on that topic. Might even have a go myself. :-)

[@lfuret1]

The best advice that you gave on this video is "Learn to use what ever garbage that is out there" Yep !! No beauty contests in the woods. Thanks for sharing. Merci !!

[@17025601]

Wonderful, wonderful lesson. Useful trees, useful weeds -- I hang on every word and view, as if my life might depend on it. I live in high desert, but my backyard is not groomed like the pristine front yard by the landscape service. Aha: I have a couple of tall mullein and some thistle growing there this year. Only cottonwood. I live downhill from Lake Tahoe in Nevada. With northern California bone dry and on fire, you never can tell when you might have to evacuate over there -- or from a catastrophe over on this side. Got my BOB, bags of water stored in box wine bladders, and pet equipment and food. I thank you for all the lessons over the years. May never have to use the information and techniques, but at least I've seen what to do, thanks to you. I'm 77, my husband is now 91 (WWII vet), but we're going to do our best if worse comes to worst. Over 4000 firefighters on the lines in an area 2 hours drive from here. Think of them and their families and the evacuees. It could happen to any of us.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+GizmoBee1702 Im happy you liked it and have learned from it. You are in a great location for some good plants to use. Not only do you have the mullein and thistle, you also have good yucca and sotol which makes great spindles. Its good to hear you and your husband are prepared. Im sorry to hear about the fires. My prayers are to you and tall the families and firefighters dealing with it. Take care be safe and Thanks for watching

[@peterpablo8927]

This is the best hand drill video I have ever seen

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thank you Peter!

[@fhorst41]

I learned more good info from that video than from any other information have watched on hand drills. That being said, I would probably try to rig up a pump drill to save my hands...

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Always great to hear that Franklin and I'm happy you liked it that much. My next vid coming out tomorrow shows a few details on the hand drill that I left out of this vid. Thanks for watching

[@boggycreekbeast]

Excellent video. From material selection to preparation. A no BS video on what to look for and how to use it. Anyone serious about learning this skill for survival should listen real close to what hes saying. Definitely subbing! Thanks for taking the time to share your skills.

[@JonAlmada]

LOL - I watched this and laughed - you were dissing the spindle and board and the bundle and say everything that was wrong with the setup and STILL got fire. In my book, you had the best setup possible because it WAS the best setup you could come up with. Thumbs up! I'd be happy as a clam to have that outcome....

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+Jon Almada LOL, I hear ya Jon. Well usually the spindle hearthboard and tinder bundle look perfect. I guess all that does matter is fire. Thanks for the comments and Thanks for watching Jon.

[@JonAlmada]

LOL - Back at you - I'm laughing like hell at all of your videos - you just crack me up with the stuff you say and, to top it off, you try some wild ideas just to see "What if?" - I was impressed with the burned tent/carbon chimney episode because you approached the root cause like an engineer would.... very logical and well done - I've worked 30+ years in the rocket industry and it isn't too far off how we do root cause analysis when we have a bad motor or a really big boom happen ;>)

[@mjmorro7757]

Pithy, pithy-one, pithy-two.. whatever it takes. Thank you!!!! Finally! Somebody who demonstrates how and with what. Thank you, Dave!!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

You're very welcome and thanks for watching

[@hamygray]

Dont apologise you showed it live and how it is, and you got the result. well done. also subbed

[@davidwelsh1487]

I am 58 .. but still practicing my bush craft. .. I did learn from this vid!!! Thnx 4 ur time. - still breathing and live.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Great to hear that David and keep on keeping on Brother!

[@earlschultz7880]

Nothing fancy, but you got a fire! Good job. I will have to try this.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Earl! Give it a go when you can brother

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Bro. And yes, it seems like when you need fire the most, the materials are hard to find and you just cant seem to geto ne going. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@firek999]

Man this is fantastic. Excellent work.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

LOL, "GarageSurvival" I love that term! Ha Ha. Good luck brother!

[@jerseyjeeper1575]

I strongly disagree....! This is one of, if not the best videos on the subject of hand drill fire making because of the knowledge transfer on how to find the proper materials and what to look for in them. A+ and 5 bananas for the ReallyBigMonkey :) Ps. Now I know what that ginormous weed is that's lurking out back.. thanks for all the great info!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it that much! Thanks for watching

[@publius1776ad]

@@Reallybigmonkey1 I strongly agree with Jersey Jeeper. This video was phenomenal. You showed how to recognize-identify the plants that you can use. You did a better job of that aspect than any other I've seen.

[@paintedgoat376]

I agree 100%. I've been looking for info specifically on finding and prepping the materials. Nobody else covers that.

[@maryspeight2840]

Very well done, and the best part was the comment , take whatever trash is available , and use it !!! That speaks volumes about the correct mindset when approaching any adverse situation. Thanks for keeping this real. Guy Speight

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I'm glad you liked it Guy! I tried to make this as realistic as possible

[@lakrabid]

Officer officer some crazy man in camoflauge carrying a huge knife wandering along the side of the road!!! He may have escaped form a hospital!!! The risks you take for us all to give us some skills and knowledge lol.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

LOL! I never realized it but it did look that way!

[@clarkeugene5727]

I thought the same thing. And when the police got there. . . . officer, I'm making a video of me starting a fire. Officer to dispatch. . . . what's the code for "Arsonist"?

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

If I remember right, I first started doing the hand drill over 20 years ago, maybe 22 or 23 years ago so yes, Ive fooled around with it alot. Yes, sloppy ans ugly, LOL. Not many bushcrafters just take a hunk of wood off a tree and use however it is. Most that Ive seen will square them up and baton them flat. I just hack off a piece and go. Yes, to me, the ember is all that matters. I showed the plants that I have had the best luck with so far. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Cool! Good to hear that. I was wanting to just shown my "spin" on how its done, LOL. Happy Thanksgiving and Thanks for watching my friend.

[@xxIVANxx13]

finally someone that knows what he's going, knows what he's talking about, and can show everything being done! thank you very much! greetings from pucallpá! peru!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Cool! That means alot to me because I am no expert on this matter, I just know what works for me. There is tons of hand drill videos out there that are good but not many show all the weeds ahead of time. About 90% of the opinion out there is that the Hand drill is bushcraft only but, I say it can be a survival tool too. Not a very reliable one tho because you are depending on finding dry materials but it is possible. Nothing I do is a work of art, Ha Ha! Thanks for watching my friend.

[@scott27288]

Super lesson in fire starting Dave. I'd be froze to death by the time i got a fire going this way lol. I absolutely LOVED your comment " I'm gonna set the world on fire." That was a hoot! Thanks for continuing to keep it real my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I'm glad you liked it Brother. Aint I always a hoot? LOL. Thanks for watching Scott.

[@paulie4x1]

David its my pleasure to have met you, for a fella that has a funny accent and can ablar espanoil, and do your magic in your shop, now that's talent.

[@cjt4935]

Love how you showed the gathering of materials, that's what most videos have left out! Your totally awesome ! Thanks for the video, J.T. from Oregon

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks J.T., I'm glad you liked it that much! Thanks for watching

[@budpratt4295]

Dave that was the best hand drill video I have seen. I learned more about the best spindle and hearth board choices. Thank you.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Great to hear that Bud! And thanks for watching brother

[@richarddvll]

love that you showed that things don't have to be perfect to do this so many people think that its a hard thing to do and it really isn't that hard just the right prep work

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+richarddvll You hit it right on the head brother. Too many people think everything has to be perfect. Materials have to be in a certain condition but they can look horrible and still work. LOL. Take care and Thanks for watching

[@curtwinterstein1067]

I didn't realize it was your video at first... and I love your videos, but they get long, so I was sitting here thinking "do I have enough time....etc etc." and I'm watching and in a very few minutes you got me hooked!!! And I GOTTA watch, and I get thinking "oh yeah, why didn't I think of that.... and I could do that to...and that was so cool!" And then the show is over and I'm thinking I have to go watch whatever else you got going on!! Good Work! Thank you!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

LOL, man always great to hear that Curt! They say if time flies when watching a video that I must be doing something right

[@Afterburner]

Dave - the thing I like with your technique on the fire drill demonstration is you keep it real and you don't do this for show-off, but instead to teach and show the pitfalls and mistakes. I took notes on the plants you recommend and will be looking for them in my area here in the Sierra Nevadas... Another great teaching video!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! I'm happy you liked it and found it helpful. Brother I'm all about helping others!

[@clarkeugene5727]

Very true. Picking a spindle that had a hollow spot, toss it back. Spindle splits on the first attempt, start over. Displaying such confidence demonstrates he is in full command of the situation. Fire has no choice but to ignite when he is on the scene.

[@MsRegina333]

Fantastic video! David, my mother and aunt used to point out all the flowers and the trees and their names! It is a lost art. To my shame, I have forgotten a lot of what they taught me. It's never too late and you are an inspiration to many!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Thats so cool they knew all the plants and trees! Too bad you couldnt remember all them but at the time it probably was an overload of info. Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Brother, I'm glad you liked it. When you say you never thought of using weed stalks, thats the main reason I made this video. Theres tons of videos showing hot make a hand drill fire, just not many get real in depth on the material collecting. I think its great to be able to get materials on spot and use em but theres nothing wrong at all with getting them ahead of time and drying them. Remember, wood on wood for bow drill, weed on wood for hand drill. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@davidleasure9138]

Great video. This is the first time ever from beginning to fire and explaining all the materials. Thank you for adding to everyone’s knowledge base. The goal was creating fire and you proved that

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

You are very welcome David and I'm glad you liked it!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I was pretty sure it was Bull Thistle too, I sometimes question myself on identifying dead plants. Green ones are a lot easier. Ah man, you pulled it up? Oh I bet that got you in trouble, ha ha. I actually dont want anything to do with a live Moon flower, Jimson weed or Angel Trumpet. I think they are all poisonous. Leave her plants alone bro. Ha Ha. Thanks! Thanks for watching my friend.

[@stephenwright3501]

I have gone back to watching your older videos and I find that they are just as great as the more mature videos. I especially liked this one, because you took us out gathering with you and showed how it is done. Thanks for making these. Have you ever thought about writing a book?

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Stephen. It always makes me happy when the older videos are watched. I never repeat content if I can help it so there's a lot of original one of a kind stuff in the older ones. I would love to write a book but honestly I doubt I'll ever find time to

[@luckycat66]

Another GREAT VIDEO David !!!! Thanks for giving me the proper technique and materials ! Your teaching methods are not only educational but very entertaining !!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Jack Taylor Thank you Jack, I'm glad you liked it and how I do things. The hand drill is actually easy if you know what to look for and how to prepare the materials.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Cool, Im glad you liked it, I did feel like not enough people ever showed what the weeds and woods looked like ahead of time. Most just showed a finished spindle a spinning. I had a great time filming this one and seeking out all these plants. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@Th3Sc0rpi0n]

Big props for doing it straight up bare handed, old school style. Bow drill is cool and all that, but you don't always have access to cordage or time to make one, knowing how to do it bare handed is a must!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Bow drills are a lot easier but like you said, cordage ain't always available. Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Rod, Im glad you liked it. Lots of people dont realise that you dont even have to go far into the woods to get materials. alot of them are right there, right on the roadsides. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thats a good idea on the top seed pod. I never thought about that one. Very very good to hear you like serrations. Ive seen hundreds of comments on forums and videos people saying they hated them. I have always loved serrations because they cup where the limbs or branches are on spindles and they really help carve out on the ends of spindles. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@insaneduane]

Beautiful! The length of the video helped the information sink in. Short video's are great refreshers but this type helps me learn. I now feel confident that I can do this method and now I just need to practice it. Thank you very much!!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+insaneduane Happy to hear that Duane! Do exactly what this vid says and you should be able to get a coal in no time. Good luck and Thanks for watching!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Im glad you liked it. I had no idea why not many others had shown the plants. Ya gotta be able to choose the plants or the skills to use them is no good. I was happy to put this on video. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I was happy to share and Im glad you liked it. Happy Thanksgiving right back at ya brother and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Clay, I'm glad you like the channel and what we do here. Yes, I am waiting for work to slow down a little. Ive been helping family a lot in august and Im going to be working 12 hour days the entire month of september with NO days off. I cant get into the woods at all right now but I want to. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Man, Thats a huge compliment from you bro. I knew you were in South Africa but i didnt even think about the limited broadband. Youre right on about folks looking for the perfect spindle. I like to figure out what works best that actually grows in my area. I love the hand drill as a hobby but you never know when it may come in handy to save your life.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I dont think Ive ever gotten a better compliment in my life. Thank you so much, and thanks for watching my friend.

[@patmaher8583]

Your last statement is powerful. Because when you need it there won't be anything good to work with.That's real life experience.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Absolutely Pat. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

[@twiztidbrainkiller2977]

my friend, I really want to think u for this video. I have struggled with a hand drill for a few weeks, but the day after watching this video I finally got a coal! I've watched a bunch about hand drill and u showed more than anyone how to find the best material. Mullen was my favorite so far. would never have thought to use it until I saw this. thanks brother! keep it up

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+twiztid brain killer Thats awesome! Im so glad it helped. I have a lot of friends that have struggled to make a coal and think its impossible. All ya gotta know is what little details need to be in place. Take care and Thanks for watching!

[@twiztidbrainkiller2977]

+Reallybigmonkey1 man, if u ever have some spare time and want to go camp in some beautiful mountains, please hit me up. I've been practicing aboriginal living and bushcraft for a few years now. I've saw alot of people and u know your stuff. I'll pay your way and buy food and all. I know some awesome spots on mt. Pisgah. let me know bro!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

ThanksBrother! Now thats the ultimate compliment! Im very glad you like the videos, Thanks for watching my friend.

[@arheru]

I admire your honesty about material choice. Great video and discussion!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

I figure I gotta tell it like it is to make it easy for others to give it a try. I'm glad you liked it and Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Very cool! I always love hearing when friends learn from me. As far as the thistle goes, you can big it big and green and it will dry and shrink some but I have the best luck with picking it dead and dry already I'm glad you like what I do. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@brianbartulis9709]

Or you can skin the live thistle 'n cook it on up as asparagus. The missus lightly breaded it and it was great. Pinky or a tad sized more branches are best. ;-)

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks brother, Absolutely means alot to me coming from you. I love all you different wood combos on the bowdrill. I know you wont have any problems whatsoever with the hand drill. Just thinks weeds, not woods. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@P1200K]

Excellent commentary & information. You cleared up a lot of unknowns for me regarding materials. I'm in East Texas, and my neck of the woods is a lot like yours.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful. Yep, we have a lot of plants in common and I believe Texas may have Sotol? Try it if it grows there. Its incredible! Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! Im glad you liked it. Ive had plenty of knives in my time but I guess none would compare to losing your favorite. I lost my first knife but I still have my favorite one. I do laugh almost constantly, lol. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@levifarr8211]

Hi! Thanks for this and all your other videos!! I am physically disabled from a connective tissue disorder and am always in tons of pain, but I love to spend a lot of time in the woods. For the past 3 or 4 years or so I've spent an absolue ton of time alone in the woods around Ravencliff Falls trailhead area and around Yonah Mountain. I'm really interested in starting to actually try to learn bushcraft and survival skills. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to actually do or manage, but I'm ready to start trying. Anyways... all that just to say that I really appreciate having a channel like yours to refer to that is in my general area and not way out west somewhere, so that our trees and stuff are the same so I can know that your information is all relevant to me. Thanks again so much!!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Hello Levi and I'm glad you like the videos! Great to hear you want to start practicing these skills. It's the most rewarding hobby there is and you never know when these skills may be a lifesaver.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks John, I tried my best to cover the wood n weed finding and Identifying part the most because so many people had asked what I knew about it. I of course had to throw in an actual hand drill fire, ha ha. Im glad you liked it, take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

How cool! I have never heard this type of story from anyone regarding me or my videos. Thats great that they helped out and that you kept your cool. Whether equipped or not, youve always got your brain and your sense of staying calm. Im glad you made all night and back to the car. It could have been much longer or much worse period Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@jrsue]

That was by far the most, real world, instructional hand drill video I've ever seen, thanks so much for the effort. You are very easy to listen to, great videos.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! Thats an awesome compliment brother! Always good to hear than. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Brother! Thats a great compliment in my book. Cody is a master of the Hand drill for sure. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@edwardmuranyi7182]

Great Job! I really like that you gathered the materials to make a ember without drying them, a true survival technique! Also liked that you showed how to gather many different types of material, very well done! Ed

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+Edward Muranyi Thanks, Im glad you liked it. Edward. To me, learning the hand drill is a skill in itself. Learning hot to spot and use whats out there in the field at the time is another whole skill thats great to learn and know. Take care and Thanks for watching

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Experience Conquers Theory and your Experiential Knowledge is much appreciated .You are modest my Georgian friend and your skill level is right up there with the best . Congrats & thanks again

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Master Tracker Thank you Brother, It is truly hard to beat experimentation and experience for finding out what works. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@jamescrowe7892]

Excellent. The explanations of what works best were very informative.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks James! I'm glad you liked it

[@WayneTheSeine]

This is by far the best info I have come across in identifying useful plants for friction fire as well as the ease in which you were successful in getting it going with what you had at hand. I can't think of too much that would be more rewarding than getting a hand drill fire going. I will go out and see what I can find and get this done. Thanks a million for a fantastic video. I have tremendous respect for your knowledge and abilities.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thank you Wayne! I'm glad you found this helpful and liked it so much. Nothing is as rewarding as mastering the Hand drill!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Rusty! It would be awesome to hear that anything Ive shown might just save a life. To me, its a huge responsibility to post things here because so many people have to trust what you say or do. Im glad you liked it and maybe learned a little. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas too. thanks for watching my friend.

[@kinghenry056]

You do a phenomenal job at breaking things down Big Bird, Cookie Monster style! I lived in Augusta and Savannah for a total of 6 years and I wish I would have had this knowledge.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you like the way I do things. Man all them areas in South Ga. are prime hand drill territory! Thanks for watching

[@Wyatt_I]

I appreciate you taking the time to recommend and show the different types of wood and plants. I took a straight dry stick to spin with, and a flat dry wood for a board. I didn't pay no mind as to what kind of wood they were. They were both dry, but I span for at least 10+ minutes. I ran out of breath, blistered my hands, my forearms ached, and never even made smoke; let alone a coal. You make it look easy. I suppose wood type must be pretty important. Thanks for the upload. I absolutely love the sound of your voice! I couldn't help but hearing a faint whisper in the background: "Me and Jenny, We were just like peas and carrots again." Definitely earned my follow!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

wyatt iles Thanks Wyatt, Im glad you liked it man. You learned the number one rule of friction fire, ya gotta use the right wood! I learned as I went along, some woods n weeds even when bone dry will never ever produce a coal. Certain qualities need to be present. I guess I make it look easy because Ive done it for so long and I know what works and what doesnt. Try and ID the plants and practice and you will get it before you know it. Good luck and thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thank you! Brother those words mean alot to me. Im glad you liked it, and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! Im glad you liked it, Its always a very good thing to hear when friends learn from me. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@jackg.7745]

Great video and thanks for this very useful information. I learned three times more here than from ten other videos combined. You make it look so easy. That's a great testament to your knowledge and skill. Thanks for sharing.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thats always great to hear Jack!

[@cowhand1346]

I always learn things from your videos, like the way you tell it like it is, if everything was perfect it probably wouldn't be a survival situation. Keep up the good work.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Always great to hear that Gary and I'm glad you like the way I do things man. Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! Im glad you liked it and my teaching style. I try my best to keep it as real as possible. I hate to show anything that I think others cant do. I figure if I can do this stuff anyone can. Hey, I ALWAYS smile when I see your avatar pic. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thats a super good job to get one on your second try. It takes most folks a lot longer. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Sounds cool brother. I have the embedding enabled so it should work. I was happy to share this with all. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@ChristianPrepperGal]

Thank you for taking the time and going through this step by step! It was very helpful. I will probably watch it a few times to get it all in my memory bank, lol. I can't wait to get outdoors and give it a try! Another great video from you and a great learning tool for me :) Thank you for being there for us!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

You are very welcome and I'm glad you liked it. Watch and practice! Thanks for watching

[@GetUrPhil]

One of the most in depths videos on hand drill materials I've seen yet. I would like to see a hand drill done with cattail.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it that much!

[@DougPalumbo]

Probably the best outdoors skills education on KZbin! Thanks Dave!

[@AlexanderWiggins-y8z]

Very comprehensive video .I learned tons about hand drill and weeds and trees. Most of the weeds and the willow are common here in Northern Illinois. I have mullien coming up in my front flowerbed every year, and have about eight stalks that are two year old and are dried up now. Very easy to propagate from the seed pods - likes disturbed ground they say to decide to germinate. Leaves of mullien first year make super toilet paper. And there are many other uses for the mullien. Bull thistle also very common and a pest. Thanks for an outstanding video !!!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it and that's great you have access to mullein so easily! Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching

[@thomasbrunton6649]

I have watched a lot of survival/ bush craft vids, But your vids are the most informative they mybe long but that's because you explain every detail. I have subscribed and I look forward to learning more.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+Thomas Brunton Thank you Thomas, Im glad you liked my vids that much. I do always try and show every detail I can. It makes it easier for others to learn. Thanks for the sub and Thanks for watching

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Sounds great! I used to be a scout leader myself and I even passed the wood Badge course. Friction fire is a fantastic skill to teach scouts. They seem to love the hand drill once they learn how to do it. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Im glad you liked the video. I tried to put in as much as I could on thegathering of materials. Snaponjohn mentioned earlier that plant may be teasel. I looked it up on images and theres no way it could be after studying it. Most teasel varietes have smooth stalks and smooth thorn free leaves. Fullers teasel was the only one that had thorns on the stalk. I took a stalk home and tried it as a spindle and its definitely thistle because the pith wore away super fast.Thanks for watching my friend.

[@ferdinand996655]

Thank you so much for the video's. I have already put your wisdom to good use. The identification in the field was really helpful for me. Growing up I had an old friend who was a plumber and thought he was a carpenter. His favorite saying was "I not building a piano". To which I would say, thank GOD, because if you are we're screwed.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Cool! Im glad you learned a little. That knife saw combo is called a SOG Revolver. I bought it in person at Smoky Mountain Knifeworks in Tennessee but they are sold all over the internet. I love it. That blade is fantastic for friction fire because you can carve with one end and saw the notch with the saw blade. Most important too, if you chop a dried stalk with a machete, it may split. thats why I like to saw them. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Im glad you liked this and are inspired to try it. Its not as impossible as some people have always thought it was. Yes, I bet it would have been way less than 20 minutes for prep and spinning time without having to talk or show stuff to the ole camera. Nothing wrong with drying wood, having this as a hobby or even carrying a pre made set with you but I have always thought it was a separate skill to try and use whats out there. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks Bro, Im glad you liked it. I had a great Thanksgiving, I hope you did too. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Cool! Im glad I could help you figure out what materials to use. Good luck and Thanks for watching my friend.

[@patricianunez4025]

I have seen your excellent instructions on this until I feel like I could do it too. At least I would sure know how to do it. You did exactly what I was wanting to know.....how to pick out the right wood. Fantastic! Thank you so much.

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Who knows, give it a try now and see what happens! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching Patricia

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Thanks! Im glad you liked it, Man I always love hearing that. I noticed theres tons of hand drill videos on how to use it and they just mention what they used. I figured it would help out to actually show whats out there and what it looks like and when to pick it. Im glad it helped. Greeting from the South and Thanks for watching my friend.

[@jstenuf]

Thanks for teaching how to take whatever garbage is out there and make it work! Appreciate your instructions!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

+Julia Mahaffey You are very welcome Julia. Sometimes ya just gotta use what natures has on the spot. Thanks for watching!

[@Reallybigmonkey1]

Absolutely man. Every ember is very rewarding. Its the most fun of all primitive fires in my book. Take care and thanks for watching my friend.