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Fire Making

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bigcountry:
I watched a guy make a fire with a bow drill in less than 3min.  Had a yucca stick, and looked like ERC plank.  Just a branch with cotton rope. 

Is there other good wood combos?  I am totally ignorant in fire making.  But dad gone impressed.

Hillbilly:
Horseweed spindle with tulip poplar hearthboard is my favorite combo for both hand drill and bow drill. Yucca spindle on poplar works well for a bow drill, too. There are a lot of things that will work for spindles-horseweed, mullien, goldenrod, evening primrose, yucca, cattail, poplar, dog fennel, etc. Almost any soft, non-resinous wood will work for a hearthboard. Tulip poplar, basswood, and boxelder are some good ones. Here's an old thread showing me making a hand drill fire: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,3099.0.html

leapingbare:
I like erc sap wood on erc sap wood. I'v used that combo allot and evon made fires in the rain.

bigcountry:
Many thanks guys.  I will try it.  I can get ERC.  Not sure about yucca.  This guy said he finds yucca in the MD/VA area.    But I thought it was a west coast wood.

jthompson1995:

--- Quote from: bigcountry on May 19, 2010, 03:04:20 pm ---Many thanks guys.  I will try it.  I can get ERC.  Not sure about yucca.  This guy said he finds yucca in the MD/VA area.    But I thought it was a west coast wood.

--- End quote ---

It grows quite well in this area (MD) but is mainly used as a landscape plant. I've seen the flower stalks get 6' plus tall.

There was some planted at my house when I bought it and I can't seem to get rid of it. I dig out the roots to over 12" deep and the next season they're back. I may have to see if I can get some of the dried flower stalks in the fall.

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