Friction Fire Discussion

[PEARL DRUMS]

Yup, they work slick Ed. It makes the hand drill much easier and a bit less abuse to the arms and hands.

[Outbackbob48]

 I need to try that Ed.

[PEARL DRUMS]

That's not what I was thinking you meant, Ed. I did see that on one of my survival shows. Very cool.

[wstanley]

Been using the hand drill method for a while now. I live in the Sierra Nevada's and I like to use elderberry drill and buckeye hearth. Using elderberry hearth/drill and buckeye with buckeye works good too.

First off practice and practice. Two things I look for: (1) the right sound; (2) dark black charcoal dust build up:

(1) there should be a sound of sandpaper on wood when your drilling. Sometimes the drill can get polished up from use. Scratch it up real good to get a good grip between hearth and drill.

(2) if your not seeing jet black shavings, STOP- your just wasting your time, you will not get an ember. Smoke will still be present, but no coal.

Also, its like playing a guitar at first. Expect blisters!

[Outbackbob48]

wstanley, when I get that burnished polished look on my hearth or spindle I just put a little dry grit or wood ash in hole and next I hear and feel that sandpaper scratch sound  that I,m looking for. I used to use pine pitch on hands but have now discovered nice dry wood ash works for down pressure grip and causes a lot less blister even under callous. You are right no black dust no coal. I try and get a coal 2 or 3 times a week just to keep my hands tuff, At 71 yrs old you know the rest of me is bad ass tuff Bob

[wstanley]

That's awesome Bob48. I try to at least do it once a week like when I'm getting the grill started! Fun topic to discuss and hear other methods!

[GlisGlis]

anyone ever tried the fire thong? I seen this on a tv show the other day.

very difficult to find proper material if you dont have rattan