I figured this group might be a good place to pose this question:

Have you ever built a fire using a bow/hand drill in the BWCA?

My group has been trying to do this for years and I haven't spent much time researching it or finding out specifics for the BWCA. Any tips to get one going? Woods to use for the drill, hearth etc?

We seem to run into the issue that we have a hard time finding the right wood to build these devices, out understanding is that you should use a hardwood(rare in the BWCA) for all the devices. Is that right?

I've always used a piece of cedar for the bottom board.

I spent part of a layover day on iron lake last year attempting this: made my bow, notch board, press block, and drill with wood found at the site and used spare guyline for the bow. I succeeded in making lots of smoke, *maybe* a brief glow of an ember, but nothing hot enough to put in my waiting tinder nest. Ultimately I failed.

I haven't but I could see trying it as a fun activity. I will, and do, carry multiple lighters for starting fires for real.

I haven't tried it, but could be interesting. You may find this Video Tutorial interesting.

I've been chased off bushcraft boards for asking this....but....why?

I'm an unabashed smoker, so pretty much every trip I'll have on average five lighters stashed in various waterproof places. The last thing I need to worry about is starting a tinder pile.
That said the key with a fire bow, two disimiliar woods for the drill and the board (one hard one soft), and getting the right sized notch in the board. It's not the board that will start a fire, it's the accumulation of dust in the notch that turns into an ember.

Or you just flick your quad flame cigar lighter, haa haa.

Dilligaf0220: "I've been chased off bushcraft boards for asking this....but....why?


I'm an unabashed smoker, so pretty much every trip I'll have on average five lighters stashed in various waterproof places. The last thing I need to worry about is starting a tinder pile.
That said the key with a fire bow, two disimiliar woods for the drill and the board (one hard one soft), and getting the right sized notch in the board. It's not the board that will start a fire, it's the accumulation of dust in the notch that turns into an ember.


Or you just flick your quad flame cigar lighter, haa haa."

You would be surprised at the great feeling of accomplishment and self reliance that comes when you succeed at starting a primitive fire for the first time. Nature provides everything you need to survive.