Uploaded April 2010 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Fire by friction bow drill method using a strip off a T-shirt (cotton) as cordage (bowstring) for the bow.
I've heard it mentioned a piece of clothing could be improvised as cordage for a bow drill. I haven't seen anyone do it, though. So, I gave it a go.
Believe it or not, I used an Oak spindle on a Yellow Pine fireboard and a river rock for the bearing-block (hand-hold).
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.
Fire by friction bow drill method using a strip off a T-shirt (cotton) as cordage (bowstring) for the bow.
I've heard it mentioned a piece of clothing could be improvised as cordage for a bow drill. I haven't seen anyone do it, though. So, I gave it a go.
Believe it or not, I used an Oak spindle on a Yellow Pine fireboard and a river rock for the bearing-block (hand-hold).
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.
