Main Discussion Area > Cave Men only "Oooga Booga"
quest for fire (not the movie)
sailordad:
well like most folk on here i got into all this primitive by wanting to make my own bow.
well that took me int other diricetions too.i learned how to make cordage,arrows and even learned how to knapp(kinda)
well i feel the next step in my primitive journey is to learn to make fire.
i know there are alot of folks on here that are capable of doing this,so i figure its time i learn too.
i also figured this would be the best place on the net to get the info from.
so if any one could tell me what i need to gather,natural stuff from my area of the country of course.
i live in central mn.we have lots of cattails all over the place,there are even some with last years fluff yet.
i know that can be used,i just aint sure what i need for drill and hearth and then how to use it all together.
any help is greatly appreciated ;D
peace,
tim
JustAim:
Tim, watch this youtube video, Ray Mears does a great job on how to use the bow drill method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94XYwGToVwY&feature=PlayList&p=49BF8265770BD4A4&index=7
There are more primitive/traditional methods for fire making then just the bow/hand drill methods. l also use flint and steel and the fire piston which are also traditional. This past winter l learned how to make fire from ice as well. l say i you want to learn about the primitive/traditional ways is to go buy a book on this subject. Ray Mears and Tom Brown both have excellent books about survival/primitive methods. But if you wanna learn the bow/hand drill use willow or some other soft woods and do the some for your hearth. There are many different materials to use, just find what works for you.
jamie:
definetly start with the bow drill. if willow is available its good. the root is better than the tree. you can usually find the roots along the river banks or when one tips over. the poplar family works as well. trees like aspen , basswood. white cedar works as well as the sap wood from red cedar. i prefer the red cedar over the white . cattail down will only allow the coal to get bigger it wont ignite. it works great in combination with phragmites heads which most of the time are growing nearby. cedar bark is the favorite for most . many inner barks of downed trees work as tinder as well. again basswood is the king here. once you've figured it out keep practicing on other tougher woods. try oak, ash, maple. its tough but it can be done
stickmonkey:
I know this is somewhat late,however i just joined and saw that you did not get a big response to your post. I have pursued fire making methods for sometime and can offer what i know including how to make fire pistons.
The bow drill is the last resort method and the hardest to learn. I say this because it is difficult to achieve unless you have a set made and with you when you want to use it. The set i made and use made from cedar. The spindle is cedar heart wood ,which is hard, and the board,3/4"thick, is made from cedar sap wood, which is soft. Just get a section of cedar and split it out. most of the spindles should be approx 3/4"thick . If you make them too skinny you have just made a primitive drill :). I have use bone and stone hand pieces, but all you need is something hard with a divot in it to hold the spindle. I don't carry a bow with my kit ,I make it when needed in the field as any green stick will do. I do carry the cordage though, 550 para cord. I know its not primitive so if you want to swap it out feel free. Lastly you will need very dry tinder.
Once you have all of those components you will need to burn in your board and spindles. When making the bow dont make it tight. Use your hand to tighten up the bow so you don't break your cordage when working the bow back and forth.
If you want the info on how to make reliable fire pistons just let me know as I have it already written out and saved. I have posted it for others several times so np.
jpayne:
I've been working on primitive fire making since I as a kid unsuccessfuly so far but my latest trial has been dead dry pine I split hearth and spindle out of same piece of wood . I'm able to get an ember now .which is a big accomplishment for me. Hopefully I'll have fire one day
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