Uploaded August 2010 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Bow drill friction fire method using Oak (Yes, Oak) for both the spindle & fireboard. For the heck of it I was curious to see if I could do it using Oak. For those who don't know, Oak is thought to be one of the worst wood choices for making fires using the friction fire method.
The spindle is actually a left over piece from the bow itself made from a Live Oak tree branch (commonly found in Florida). That's why it's kinda short. The fireboard is from a downed sapling I found. I believe it's also a Live Oak tree as I found it in an area that was all Oak trees.
Surprisingly, it worked (successful) and it wasn't as hard as I expected. I'm guessing it's because I used a young sapling and an Oak branch (not as hard as heartwood). Oddly enough, I used Yellow Pine as a hand-hold bearing-block (a softer wood). Used 550 paracord for the bowstring.
The goal was only to get a coal (not start a fire).
Bow drill friction fire method using Oak (Yes, Oak) for both the spindle & fireboard. For the heck of it I was curious to see if I could do it using Oak. For those who don't know, Oak is thought to be one of the worst wood choices for making fires using the friction fire method.
The spindle is actually a left over piece from the bow itself made from a Live Oak tree branch (commonly found in Florida). That's why it's kinda short. The fireboard is from a downed sapling I found. I believe it's also a Live Oak tree as I found it in an area that was all Oak trees.
Surprisingly, it worked (successful) and it wasn't as hard as I expected. I'm guessing it's because I used a young sapling and an Oak branch (not as hard as heartwood). Oddly enough, I used Yellow Pine as a hand-hold bearing-block (a softer wood). Used 550 paracord for the bowstring.
The goal was only to get a coal (not start a fire).
