Uploaded November 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Bow Drill Friction Fire using Fan Palm (aka Sabal Palm or Cabbage Palm) here in Florida.
Practice for Friction Fire Tuesday (or Thursday, ha ha).
A one take video. Total time 21:39. Only edited for time. Some of the boring parts were sped up.
Had a little trouble since Fan Palm is a soft wood. The top of the spindle would wear out under the bearing-block causing problems.
Got an ember/ coal on the 2nd attempt. Left video intact to show a less than perfect instance of attempting and making fire by friction.
Not bad for less than 22 minutes of effort. Good practice helps with having the ability to not easily get frustrated and overcome problems.
Materials used: Sabal Palm for fireboard & spindle, Yellow Pine for bow, cheap shoestring for bowstring, and an Oak bearing-block.
Bow Drill Friction Fire using Fan Palm (aka Sabal Palm or Cabbage Palm) here in Florida.
Practice for Friction Fire Tuesday (or Thursday, ha ha).
A one take video. Total time 21:39. Only edited for time. Some of the boring parts were sped up.
Had a little trouble since Fan Palm is a soft wood. The top of the spindle would wear out under the bearing-block causing problems.
Got an ember/ coal on the 2nd attempt. Left video intact to show a less than perfect instance of attempting and making fire by friction.
Not bad for less than 22 minutes of effort. Good practice helps with having the ability to not easily get frustrated and overcome problems.
Materials used: Sabal Palm for fireboard & spindle, Yellow Pine for bow, cheap shoestring for bowstring, and an Oak bearing-block.
