УРЛАГ
ГОО САЙХАН БА ЭРҮҮЛ МЭНД
ГАРААР ХИЙСЭН
СОЁЛ БА ТҮҮХ
ҮЗВЭР НААДАМ
БАЙГАЛЬ ОРЧИН
ХООЛ БА УНДАА
НОГООН ИРЭЭДҮЙ
УРВУУ ИНЖЕНЕРЧЛЭЛ
ШИНЖЛЭХ УХААН
СПОРТ
ТЕХНОЛОГИ
ӨМСДӨГ ХЭРЭГСЭЛ
Starting a Fire with a Bow Drill
Master the bow drill — the most reliable friction fire method. The bow multiplies speed and reduces fatigue. Fire provides warmth, water purification, cooking, and protection.
Intermediate
30-45 minutes
Instructions
1
1
Select Wood
Select Wood
Fireboard & spindle: dry, dead softwood (willow, cottonwood, cedar). Should dent with your thumbnail. Spindle: 2cm diameter, 30cm long. Both must be bone dry.
2
2
Carve Components
Carve Components
Fireboard: flat, 2cm thick. Carve a small depression near one edge. Bow: curved branch ~60cm with cordage tied between ends. Handhold: hardwood block or stone with a socket.
Design
Diagram showing fireboard with notch dimensions and spindle placement
3
3
Burn In & Cut Notch
Burn In & Cut Notch
Bow the spindle slowly to burn a round socket. Then cut a V-notch into the socket — 1/8 of the circle. Place bark underneath to catch the ember.
4
4
Create the Ember
Create the Ember
Long steady strokes, firm pressure. When thick smoke pours from the notch, 10-15 more fast strokes. Lift spindle carefully — glowing coal in the notch.
5
5
Ignite Tinder Bundle
Ignite Tinder Bundle
Tip coal into a nest of dry grass/bark shavings. Fold loosely, blow gently with steady breaths until it bursts into flame. Transfer to fire lay.
Materials
- •Dry softwood board - 1 piecePlaceholder
- •Straight dry stick (spindle) - 1 piecePlaceholder
- •Curved branch (bow) - 1 piecePlaceholder
- •Cordage - 1 meterPlaceholder
- •Hardwood/stone handhold - 1 piecePlaceholder
- •Tinder bundle - 1 bundlePlaceholder
Tools Required
- KnifePlaceholder
CC0 Public Domain
This blueprint is released under CC0. You are free to copy, modify, distribute, and use this work for any purpose, without asking permission.
Support the Maker by purchasing products through their Blueprint where they earn a Maker Commission set by Vendors, or create a new iteration of this Blueprint and include it as a connection in your own Blueprint to share revenue.