Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Woodland Roamer on October 29, 2008, 09:57:47 pm

Title: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Woodland Roamer on October 29, 2008, 09:57:47 pm

I collected some Horseweed back in the summer to try with the hand drill and just got around to trying it out. I found a dead Poplar limb and split it up for my fireboard. I took the stuff with me to work today and tried it out and was able to get a coal. Some other guys at work tried it too and one was able to get a coal as well. I went back to my wigwam after I got home and made up some tinder with dried grass and cattail pollen then got some more leaves and twigs ready. I was alone so I couldn't take the greatest pics of the process and I forgot a pic of the fireboard and drill. The fireboard is Poplar about 1/4 inch thick, maybe a bit more. I got a coal on my first try but knocked it off of the piece of bark that the fireboard was sitting on, it was small anyway. The second time I got a much better coal, dropped it into the tinder and blew it into flame in about 10-12 seconds or so then started adding leaves and twigs and had a nice fire going in less than two minutes. I was thrilled!! I have been amazed in the little time I've been trying this and will be doing more for sure, although my hands will have to get used to it! Alan

Tinder, dry leaves, twigs, dry strips of bark. I have bigger pieces of wood along the wall of the wigwam.
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286/AlanShook/101_1801.jpg)
The coal on a strip of bark
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286/AlanShook/101_1803.jpg)
Fire after I had going pretty well
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286/AlanShook/101_1804.jpg)
View from outside after I've added more wood
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh286/AlanShook/101_1805.jpg)

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Sparrow on October 30, 2008, 01:02:14 am

 Congratulations,big step.I gotta tell you,that is a world class wigwam. Thanks for sharing.  Frank

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: ricktrojanowski on October 30, 2008, 06:27:41 am

Congrats, on the hand drill success.  It is such a great feeling.  Especially when your making coals on company time. ;D  Always keep your set handy you never know when an opportunity might hit.

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Bowbound on October 30, 2008, 07:38:20 am

Congrats on that, did you let the fire go out? or keep it burning.

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Cromm on October 30, 2008, 08:10:37 am

Hi,
That's great!! Did you use a fire bow or just your hands??
Also what a great wigwam what's it made from???
Thanks for your time.

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: jamie on October 30, 2008, 12:53:44 pm

excellent job on both the fire and the wigwam. looks like tulip bark. now that you have gotten the drill fairly well down leave it out over night in the dewy grass and try it again in the morning. you'll get it if you take your time and allow the board to warm up slowly.

that wigwam looks like one of jeff gotliebs designs. peace

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Woodland Roamer on October 30, 2008, 01:52:47 pm

Thanks Frank.

Thanks Rick, it is better on company time.  :D

Thanks Limey, I let it go out after a while.

Thanks Cromm, I just used my hands on this one. The wigwam has a sapling frame with Poplar bark covering it.

Thanks Jamie, that's my next thing I want to do, to leave the stuff back there and go start fire or just find the stuff right then and get a fire. Who is Jeff Gotliebs?

Alan

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: John K on October 30, 2008, 02:08:32 pm

Very cool ! Do you have a door for the wigwam or does it just stay open like that ?

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Hillbilly on October 30, 2008, 04:27:04 pm

Way to go, Alan. There's something a little mystical in starting fire with a hand drill, gives you a good feeling.

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Kegan on October 30, 2008, 04:47:53 pm

Congratualtions! And quite the housing you've got as well :).

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Woodland Roamer on October 30, 2008, 09:33:05 pm

Thanks John, I don't have a door yet but I'm looking for one with winter coming on.

Thanks Steve, yeah it was great. I really got interested in trying when we were at Pat's but just now got around to it.

Thanks Kegan.

Alan

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: jamie on October 31, 2008, 08:51:55 am

jeff is from new york and wrote a very good book on wigwam construction. peace

Title: Re: My First Friction Fire!
Post by: Woodland Roamer on October 31, 2008, 10:23:56 am

Hey Jamie, could you let me know where to get a copy of his book? Thanks

Alan