Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
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In this video I demonstrate a one handed bow drill friction fire. I do this by using the downward weight of a large old log that I had by my camp. I carve a divot in one end of the log so I can use it to house my spindle and act as a bearing block. If I carve down far enough into the dead wood it still has great wood that is useful. I then flip the log over and stabilize it with two pointed wood stakes and two logs that I lay across it. This along with the two large trees I utilize make the log very sturdy and will not move back and forth. I then carve a new divot in my basswood bow drill hearth board and I get ready to burn it in and prepare for my coal. I do this by placing it on the ground and turning my knife in a circle. This is the safest way to do this with one hand and two hand alike. I then place my basswood spindle under my right arm and carve one end sharp and the other blunt. Basswood is a superior wood to use for both friction fire and carving due to it's very soft nature. I also use my right forearm and right leg to carve but this is dangerous and I'm not right handed so my left hand is a little uncoordinated. I carefully place my spindle in the tarred bank line bow I made. I do this using my forearms. I then prop up the log and place the spindle in the log bearing block divot I also use my right forearm to complete this task. I allow the hearth board to seat into the dirt under the weight of the log. I then begin to burn in the hearth board. I notice the weight of the log is to heavy so I relieve some of the weight with my right forearm. As the burn in comes to completion I allow more of the weight to come down on the hearth board this creates more of a burn in. I then carve my notch in the hearth board also by placing it on the ground and stepping on it with my left foot. Again using my left hand to carve this out is very unstable and takes a great deal of effort. I then repeat the same actions as above and a go for the coal. I failed this a total of 4 times and on my 5th time I succeed. The reason I failed is a combination of unstable hearth board and the bowing action of the bow. When using this method both must be absolutely secure and balanced. I finally get a coal and blow it into flame.
I want to give a special thanks to Matt Graham for inspiring me to try this technique. This is one of the hardest challenges I've had to face with my survival skills. One handed skills are extremely important to learn and practice, you never know when your going to need them. If I was hurt out in the wild It would be extremely hard to coop with the injury and apply survival techniques at the same time.
I thank every one of you who watch and support me. Thank you also for all of the get well wishes, comments and subscriptions. You have fun out there and we will see you on the next video.
If you would like to follow us on social media our links our below.
4DB Facebook at: facebook.com/4directionsbushcraft
4DB on Instagram at: instagram.com/4directionsbushcraft
4DB Website blog at: 4directionsbushcraft.com/blog
4DB newsletter registration: 4directionsbushcraft.us13.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=45c5a502686fc44211df4d689&id=431382b638
For great bushcraft and survival gear visit
4directionsbushcraft.com
In this video I demonstrate a one handed bow drill friction fire. I do this by using the downward weight of a large old log that I had by my camp. I carve a divot in one end of the log so I can use it to house my spindle and act as a bearing block. If I carve down far enough into the dead wood it still has great wood that is useful. I then flip the log over and stabilize it with two pointed wood stakes and two logs that I lay across it. This along with the two large trees I utilize make the log very sturdy and will not move back and forth. I then carve a new divot in my basswood bow drill hearth board and I get ready to burn it in and prepare for my coal. I do this by placing it on the ground and turning my knife in a circle. This is the safest way to do this with one hand and two hand alike. I then place my basswood spindle under my right arm and carve one end sharp and the other blunt. Basswood is a superior wood to use for both friction fire and carving due to it's very soft nature. I also use my right forearm and right leg to carve but this is dangerous and I'm not right handed so my left hand is a little uncoordinated. I carefully place my spindle in the tarred bank line bow I made. I do this using my forearms. I then prop up the log and place the spindle in the log bearing block divot I also use my right forearm to complete this task. I allow the hearth board to seat into the dirt under the weight of the log. I then begin to burn in the hearth board. I notice the weight of the log is to heavy so I relieve some of the weight with my right forearm. As the burn in comes to completion I allow more of the weight to come down on the hearth board this creates more of a burn in. I then carve my notch in the hearth board also by placing it on the ground and stepping on it with my left foot. Again using my left hand to carve this out is very unstable and takes a great deal of effort. I then repeat the same actions as above and a go for the coal. I failed this a total of 4 times and on my 5th time I succeed. The reason I failed is a combination of unstable hearth board and the bowing action of the bow. When using this method both must be absolutely secure and balanced. I finally get a coal and blow it into flame.
I want to give a special thanks to Matt Graham for inspiring me to try this technique. This is one of the hardest challenges I've had to face with my survival skills. One handed skills are extremely important to learn and practice, you never know when your going to need them. If I was hurt out in the wild It would be extremely hard to coop with the injury and apply survival techniques at the same time.
I thank every one of you who watch and support me. Thank you also for all of the get well wishes, comments and subscriptions. You have fun out there and we will see you on the next video.
If you would like to follow us on social media our links our below.
4DB Facebook at: facebook.com/4directionsbushcraft
4DB on Instagram at: instagram.com/4directionsbushcraft
4DB Website blog at: 4directionsbushcraft.com/blog
4DB newsletter registration: 4directionsbushcraft.us13.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=45c5a502686fc44211df4d689&id=431382b638
