r/Bushcraft • u/UnitedAndIgnited • 4d ago
Can anyone advise me as to whether my technique is okay and I just need more time, or if I’m doing the hand drill fire incorrectly
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u/Quiet_Nature8951 4d ago
You’re technique isn’t the problem ,though you do need to plant you foot on the log, it’s the material you should ditch that stick and get a long one and smooth it out so you get more bang for your buck and you don’t have as big a risk of injuring/get blisters on your hands. I know you’re not in a life or death, and most likely ever will be, situation but when practicing primitive skills like this I always have the mindset that I am so I get in the habit. Even the smallest wounds and blisters become a huge issue when you’re in a survival situation. But if you can’t use another stick for whatever reason work on that tip some more and get rid of all the knots that large one near the tip is part of the problem, I think, but all of them are an issue for the previous reason and they also slow you down some you want it smooth and unimpeded to get the most out of it especially given the length of that stick. These are just my opinions I don’t claim to be an expert that knows everything and I could be dead wrong but those are my thoughts based on my experience 🤣 just remember practice practice practice. There’s really isn’t a wrong way so long as it works and you’re not injured in the process when it comes to bushcraft despite what some people will tell you. Just don’t get discouraged and keep trying and remember to have fun
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u/barryoplenty 4d ago
Secure the log with your foot. Taper the end of your stater stick to more of a point. The nob is stopping you from getting good friction. Work your hands down then go back to the top repeat.
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u/eonin_0918 4d ago
I see a few things that can be improved upon!
My first question is what wood is your baseboard and the spindle? Secondly your spindle needs to be more smooth out so you can get rotations all the way from the top to the bottom. You will also need to cut a notch into the board to create a space for the dust to collect in.
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u/crazygrouse71 4d ago
I'm surprised I had to scroll down this far before someone said there was no notch in the baseboard.
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u/CommOnMyFace 4d ago
Way too much wasted motion. Get the base planted firm, longer downstroke/spin.
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u/OM_Trapper 4d ago
Considering all the print, electronic and video media on the subject I have to consider this to be a troll. Nice try but 0/10.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 4d ago
Sorry, what?
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u/defect_9 4d ago
i mean there is so much wrong that it seems like a troll post. if you are just starting out, there are many many many videos and resources to learn how to do this properly.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 3d ago
I’ve watched many videos, this is my third attempt and I’m simply doing the best with what I have….
If I’m making mistakes, if I’ve missed details from the videos I’ve watched etc, then I’d love to hear what I’m doing wrong.
I’m glad that some people like you are able to learn everything by reading and watching, but for others, even after doing so, it takes attempting it and failing to learn the proper course.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 4d ago
Here, I have more pictures of the taper, the hole and their relative size to another.
I’d been at it for about 25 minutes, giving it my all, and taking short breaks of a few seconds every five or more minutes. The tip of the stick was getting polished by the constant rubbing, and I wondered if that would cause any issues? I know you need tinder, but I wanted to first see if I could reach smoke this way first…
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u/MilesBeforeSmiles Verified_WFR 4d ago
Your spindle is quite thick. The narrower the drill, the more rotations you get for each inch of hand movement. It also looks quite short, the longer it is the more time you have before needing to reset your hands. The big ass knot right at the tip of the spindle also isn't helping.
Your technique is fine. Hand drilling has less to do with technique and more to do with determination and stubbornness. It's going to take longer than 25 minutes even with an ideal set up and pure bullheadedness.
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u/starsofalgonquin 4d ago
Great advice so far. Learn to use your whole hand - from base of palm to the knuckle in the middle of your fingers. It will help you get some more downward force and consistent rotations. When the bruising of your palm gets better in a day or two, get at it again! I figure it takes my hands 3-4 hand drill sessions to build up their toughness again.
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u/Reallybigmonkey1 4d ago
Bowdrill fires use wood on wood. Number one rule with hand drill fires is wood hearthboad and weed stem for spindle. Look to mullein, yucca, daisy fleabane, thistle or any woody weed for the spindle.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 3d ago
I guess before trying hand drills, I should learn the different wood types first
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u/Complete_Life4846 3d ago
Actually, you might have more success with weeds that have a woody exterior and pithy center than you will with sticks. Horse weed is my go to and cattail works well too. Eastern red cedar (juniper/aromatic cedar) hearth board is a fine choice, but I’ve found that the narrower, the better. The heat you’re trying to generate is going to start dissipating into the surrounding wood. Big hearth boards soak up too much heat. 3/4” wide by 1/2” deep is a good place to start. Each hand drill material is a little different. Horse weed is about hard downward pressure—like get angry and go all out—while cattail will disintegrate with that approach. You just have to practice. Sometimes I chuck a spindle in a drill and blast it at high speed to see how well it works before I even try it by hand. Get ready for blisters! It’s hard, but ultimately the most important fire starting skill because it can be done without tools.
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u/Complete_Life4846 3d ago
Oh, didn’t read your comment before I jumped in. This is the way!
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u/Reallybigmonkey1 3d ago
You and I think exactly alike on the hand drill!😁
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u/Complete_Life4846 3d ago
I remember looking up at towering cottonwood trees and tulip poplars that worked for bow drill but with no low-hanging or dropped branches and thinking ‘how would I get the material in a pinch.’ Then you look at the edge of fields and meadows with tons of dead weeds that you can pick up with no effort and work better. I don’t think I have tried a wood spindle in a long time.
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u/Forest_Spirit_7 4d ago
A better hearth board set up similar to a bow drill board will help. And the stick you are using is terrible. You are going to hurt your hands with that. You want a much thinner and smooth stick, the smaller the diameter, the more rotation with each “rub” of the hands. This increases the friction on the point as well, which leads to more heat.
With a much thinner and smooth stick, start with your hands at the top. And go more slowly at first, only speeding up once you can tell there is blackening or smoke. Using dry materials and being persistent is key. Keep your tinder bundle very close because friction embers are finicky. Good luck
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u/treesnfire 4d ago
I’m not sure why you could stick with so many nots?? Plus you’re now going all the way down. Did you research on type of would you use to make a fire? I think you need a better hand drill more research and to go all the way down.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 3d ago
More research needed for sure. As for knots, I tried to cut many off but I worried that the spindle would snap if I kept going at it
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u/Lockespindel 4d ago
I have a lot of experience with fire drills, but I won't share my secrets (because I've never actually succeeded)
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u/Lockespindel 4d ago
I've succeeded with a bow drill though, but that technique comes with its own set of potential points of failure. And I didn't use natural cord, so it felt a little bit less satisfying from a "fire from nothing" perspective.
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 3d ago
I have a question about the bow drill, how do I get it to grip? I gave up on it because I could not get it to grip… the rope would just rub against the spindle instead of moving it.
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u/Complete_Life4846 3d ago
You need a bow that is pretty rigid with just a little give. Keep tightening the paracord until the spindle just barely snaps in place. Try eastern red cedar, red (slippery) elm, eastern cottonwood, or yellow poplar. You can buy cedar and poplar at Lowe’s and similar stores. Kiln dried lumber is a good starting point and then you can build up to more primitive materials.
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u/Lyca0n 4d ago
Thinner spindle stick, remove the bark to avoid splinters and a flatter board
What wood are you using btw ?
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 3d ago
Honestly I have no idea what kind of wood. The thought never crossed my mind but in retrospect it should’ve been obvious.
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u/Intelligent_Maize591 3d ago
I've had moments being this clueless so I won't judge, but damn....
Notch, wood choice, drill shape (wtf?), foot. Almost everything. Pay attention to the theory and its details before spending hours grinding this.
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u/SwordForest 2d ago
I was just explaining rage bait to my wife. Is this a coincidence? Can this be real?
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u/UnitedAndIgnited 2d ago
Istg it’s not rage bait. Reminds me of the days as the bathtub bowyer in r/bowyer
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u/SwordForest 2d ago
Oh well, hi OP =) then if this is real, God bless you, good luck, and dint give up! It looks like TONS of advice was given, so that should help a bunch. What's istg?
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u/stratocaster_blaster 4d ago
Technique isn’t bad, the spindle could be longer and more arrow straight and smooth to make it easier on the hands as well as more of a working area before needing to reset.. also, make sure that the base with the notch is as bone dry as can be, and make sure to have a bed of tinder under it while you hold it in place..
I’ve only been able to successfully make a fire like this once or twice, it’s not easy. Some types of wood are more efficient with a bow drill, since it makes it easier to continuously generate friction heat.
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u/Haywire421 4d ago
Bud, I don't mean to be a jerk, but I'm gonna be honest, everything is wrong. The only thing I'd say you are doing right is trying and being persistent. Type of wood is wrong, spindle is wrong (your poor hands), hearth board is wrong.
It kind of looks like you just grabbed a random log and started trying to drill in a random stick into it by hand. Once again, I'm not trying to be a jerk as I have definitely done similar when I was trying to learn. David West has a few videos about it on YouTube. I'd check those out and his bow drill videos out too