Bow & Drill Techniques

The bow and drill is an essential wilderness survival, fire-making skill. The process for bow and drill fire-making is simple, but beginners often find it difficult and labor-intensive. The proper steps must be followed to effectively start a fire with the bow and drill. Several technical tips may help increase success and develop skills.

  1. Tools

    • The bow and drill requires a thin, flat board that acts as a base. The drill is a carved peg and the bow is a stiff stick with a slight curve. A string is attached to the stick and used to spin the drill. A second block of wood holds the top of the peg in a vertical position. The result is friction and heat that is used to create a fire. The basic concept is simple, but the process requires sound technique. All of the tools must be durable and rigid or they will break during the fire-making process.

    Setup

    • The setup is the first important technical step. Locate a dry area for your fire-making experience. The areas beneath trees and rock overhangs is ideal because it shields you from sudden moisture. Hit the tree branches with a stick before beginning to knock any existing moisture away. This prevents your fire from being ruined by falling snow or water caused by shifting branches. Locate a flat ground surface in the dry area for the fire-making, and set your board on the ground. Place all of the fire-making materials within reach because you cannot move far while drilling with the bow.

    Tinder

    • Collecting dry tinder is critical when building a fire. Collect the finest, driest material in the area to hold the ember and create a flame. The ember created by the bow is useless without dry tinder. Strip the fine segments away from bark and wood and scour the ground for leaves, pine needles and other flammable vegetation. Set the pile of tinder next to the board.

    Preparing the Board

    • Step on the board with one foot and rest the opposite knee on the ground. Place the drill on the board and make one wrap around the drill with the bowstring. Push the bow back and forth to spin the drill. Apply pressure to the top of the drill with the second board to hold it upright. Do this until you have a burnt indentation in the board. Now cut a small notch into the center of the indentation. The notch allows oxygen to flow while you create friction.

    Making the Fire

    • Place a thin piece of wood under the indentation. The wood is used to hold the ember. Begin drilling in the indentation and continue at a rapid pace for as long as you can endure. Several minutes of hard drilling is often required to make an ember. Do not stop drilling when the first smoke becomes visible. Continue for several extra minutes and watch for a red, glowing ember. When the ember forms and drops on the small piece of wood, place it directly into the pile of tinder. Blow on the ember to ignite the tinder and start the fire.