Quick Methods for a Bow Drill

Bow drills are still in use today as a method to create fire. In ancient times, people made use of the bow drill to weaken or heat small spots in soft stones. Bow drills are made of wood and string or wood and leather in place of string. Although it can take several attempts to successfully create fire with the bow drill, it doesn't have to take as long to create the bow drill or learn basic methods for its use.

  1. Components

    • Bow drills are made of five parts. The bow is made of a long curved stick with string or other cord tied at both ends. The length of the bow will vary depending on the types of sticks that are available when you collect your material. The spindle is the piece of wood the bow string will wrap around as it sits on top of the base board. The base board is the flat piece of wood the wood splinters will build up in before turning into an ember. The handhold is usually a square, flat shaped piece of wood that is held over the spindle to keep it from slipping away from the base board.

    Material Gathering

    • It's important to pick your materials carefully. Whether or not you are in a survival situation or you just want to practice making a fire with a bow drill, make sure you pick the driest wood possible. Harder woods tend to work better than others simply due to the amount of pressure you'll be exerting on the wood as you operate the bow drill. Pick flat pieces of wood for both the base board and the hand drill. Chop off any sharp areas to avoid cutting yourself later for all pieces. The bow should be a slightly curved part of a sturdy branch. There is no particular rule to follow when judging the thickness of wood for any of these parts.

    Fire Making Methods

    • Step on the base board with one foot and bend your leg so the other knee is on the ground. Place the bow string around the spindle and roll the spindle so that the string forms a loop around it. The top of the spindle should fit snugly into the bottom of the handhold. Keep the spindle at a 90-degree angle to the base board by locking the wrist you're holding the handhold with against your bended knee. Press down on the handhold with firm pressure, so that the spindle doesn't come loose but not so hard you are causing yourself pain. Move the bow back and forth until you start to see smoke. Collect the ember gently and transfer it to your fire tinder.

    Obstacles

    • Wet wood or wood that is exposed to high humidity over long periods of time will reduce your chances of creating an ember. Dead wood that is brittle will most likely break during your use of the bow drill. The type of string or cord you use may stretch over a period of use, forcing you to loop the spindle one more time or to retie it all together. In a pinch, a strip of clothing from a T-shirt, skirt or other piece of clothing may suffice.