Uploaded January 2010 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Bowdrill fire by friction method to successfully get a coal/ ember using a 2-stick fireboard. My first success after many many attempts.
The fireboard sticks and spindle are made from a Pine branch. I'm guessing a Longleaf Yellow Pine. The bow is a hardwood using paracord as the bowstring. Used a river rock with a dimple for the hand-hold (bearing-block).
I originally tried a longer wider spindle (over 3/4" (20mm) in diameter), but the work effort is doubled. Was better to use a thinner spindle. The spindle I used in this vid is about a 1/2" in diameter (13mm). The fireboard sticks each were about 1.25" (32mm) in diameter.
My goal was only to get a glowing ember (not start a fire). This is usually the hardest part when attempting to start a fire using this method.
Bowdrill fire by friction method to successfully get a coal/ ember using a 2-stick fireboard. My first success after many many attempts.
The fireboard sticks and spindle are made from a Pine branch. I'm guessing a Longleaf Yellow Pine. The bow is a hardwood using paracord as the bowstring. Used a river rock with a dimple for the hand-hold (bearing-block).
I originally tried a longer wider spindle (over 3/4" (20mm) in diameter), but the work effort is doubled. Was better to use a thinner spindle. The spindle I used in this vid is about a 1/2" in diameter (13mm). The fireboard sticks each were about 1.25" (32mm) in diameter.
My goal was only to get a glowing ember (not start a fire). This is usually the hardest part when attempting to start a fire using this method.
