Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: Jakesnyder on October 12, 2018, 05:27:21 pm

Title: Friction fire woods
Post by: Jakesnyder on October 12, 2018, 05:27:21 pm

I was wondering If any one knew of some good friction fire woods in Pennsylvania?

Title: Re: Friction fire woods
Post by: Outbackbob48 on October 12, 2018, 06:41:27 pm

Jake, I am from NWPA and do both handrill and bowdrill, My favorites are weed stalks, here are a few  we have in Pa.
   Horseweed
    Mullein
    Mugwort
    Yucca
 Here are some actual wood spindles that I have used
Quaken Aspen   
Yellow Poplar ( not my favorite but will work)
white pine
Pawpaw
Hearth boards that have worked .
whitepine
cedar
pawpaw
quaken aspen
yellow poplar
cotton wood
A long as it is dry and soft enough to mark with your finger nail there lots of other and that is part of the fun experimenting with all kinds of woods and weeds, Rose of Sharon off of the wife's lawn shrubs.  Hope this helps ya some. Bob

Title: Re: Friction fire woods
Post by: Jakesnyder on October 13, 2018, 04:08:38 am

Thanks Bob. Where at in nw pa are you? I live near johnstown.
Do you have an extra set? Maybe we could work out a deal I'm just getting into friction fire and would like to get a set that is proven to work to practice with

Title: Re: Friction fire woods
Post by: GlisGlis on October 15, 2018, 07:25:04 am

what kind of friction fire are you oriented to?
for hand drill as spindle you may find cattail, sunflower, elderberry and many cane types
many willow types would work as base

Title: Re: Friction fire woods
Post by: Hummingbird Point on October 21, 2018, 08:27:47 am

In Virginia.  I have found most consistently reliable is white pine and sycamore for both spindle and hearth. 

Title: Re: Friction fire woods
Post by: Jakesnyder on October 21, 2018, 12:51:14 pm

Thanks guys! Bob actually sent me some friction fire kits. I love the pa family here. Everyone loves to help and share with one another