Select Wood
1 hourSelect dry spindle and hearth wood same hardness — cedar and cottonwood common.
Field context
This workflow is part of 1 niche field
Learn bush bow drill fire from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.
Select dry spindle and hearth wood same hardness — cedar and cottonwood common.
Carve spindle, hearth board with notch, bow, and bearing block.
Prepare bird nest tinder bundle dry grass bark and fine fibers.
Bow until smoke then ember drops into tinder and blows to flame.
Standard practices and recommended approaches for bow drill fire.
Spindle harder than hearth or vice versa prevents coal.
Damp tinder kills ember — inner bark dryer than surface.
Know when to DNF — persistent pain or confusion means stop at the next aid station.