Bow Drill, What SOME of the experts aren't telling you.

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2017
  • Bow Drill... It's dishonest for some of our favorite experts to make it look like they are JUST THAT GOOD! They appear to be finding "on the spot" freshly found materials straight from nature that they've never seen before... No, I think they've already scouted those materials beforehand. They know where they are, how dry they are, where all the dead standing is, where all the tinder, cordage material, and rocks for cutting tools are at.They know state of decay, how long since it has rained, and how favorable the humidity is that day.
    Is it right to make people think that you can just walk out into any UNFAMILIAR woods locate ideal tools and materials and just whip them up into a friction fire?
    In today's video, I explain how forthcoming we all should be. Think of how discouraging it must be for a beginner when friction fire is made to look so much easier than it really is.
    Please SUBSCRIBE at the end of the video. Thanks!
    OTHER VIDEOS YOU WILL ENJOY:
    The Bundled Spindle Technique... Using 4 Old Horseweed Spindles
    • Video
    Using a Paperback Book for a Bow Drill Fire Board
    • Using a Paperback Book...

ความคิดเห็น • 383

  • @michaelkarloff8117
    @michaelkarloff8117 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    You are so honest about the technique. I'd like to know where in the woods you found the bearing you used in your left hand.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  ปีที่แล้ว +14

      That's exactly what I'm talking about! Would you have known about the metal bearing in my bearing block if I had edited out all those scenes? Would you have known if I sprayed the tip of the spindle and bearing block divot with WD-40? How would you know if I predried the materials then placed them back in the spot where I "discovered" them on camera? Many "experts" are deceiving us in a dozen different ways.

    • @mikeyeska7056
      @mikeyeska7056 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      I like your channel but I disagree. A big part of the journey is to start easy and make it harder on yourself as you get better. Learn to identify trees and which ones work and don’t work. Which ones you can cut green in the morning and dry in the sun by night. Learn where to find dry wood and tinder after rain. I have made 1000’s of friction fires in all conditions. The only way to really learn is by doing it yourself.

  • @aphasia101
    @aphasia101 6 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    I've taught the bow drill I tell my students that in real life carry a lighter because in the wild friction fire is never a sure thing no matter how good you are.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      i EDC a wallet fresnel lens, keychain ferro rod, and BIC. Friction fire's completely unreliable.

    • @paulwilson5600
      @paulwilson5600 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I'm glad u said that, i learned the bow drill about a month ago and have had success w different woods I carved out in the wild, cedar, poplar, sycamore, maple, sourwood etc. And 80% of the time id have success, not always on the first try however, the first time I had success w poplar, I spent almost a hr bf I finally got a ember, other times I got it the first try no problem but I usually have much more success if I let the set I just carved dry out a few days even though its from a standing dead piece

    • @paulwilson5600
      @paulwilson5600 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Ive watched a lot of these videos and ive been disappointed in myself bc I dont always have success when carving out a set from scratch and trying it right than. And in these videos its like they just go out into the woods, pick the perfect woods and get it the first try every time. I realize now that's just not realistic

    • @StarDarkAshes
      @StarDarkAshes 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I always think that I’d like to kind of make a funny comment whenever I see people with their big fire kits. They’ll have a kit with a flint and steel, as well as a ferro rod along with a lighter and two or three other ways to get a fire going such as a magnifying glass or even glycerin and potassium permanganate. And when you think of the sheer volume of stuff and how much you can fit in a pouch or kit I often think it might just be better to have 15 or 20 Bic lighters. I bet you could light more fires with 20 lighters and then you never have to worry about the primitive stuff. It’s kind of fun to put a kit together with all kinds of ways to make fire anyway so I’m not knocking it but you could get thousands of fires going and possibly even more with lighters than you would with primitive means.

  • @billcrockett695
    @billcrockett695 6 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    You are very correct. That's one of the many reasons I tell my students not to get a false sense of security from survival t.v. shows. Another thing that gets neglected is the sheer amount of time it can take to gather all the items for you fire kit and tinder bundle (especially if you are in a strange environment). Then you have to make the kit on top of that. I like your honesty. Thank you.

  • @billywills4391
    @billywills4391 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    It's very educational, even eye-opening, to see the difficulty actually involved in some bushcraft skills.
    Thanks for being real and genuine!
    The value of this video and especially your perspective is huge!

  • @billburket4842
    @billburket4842 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    “I could have stopped at 40 but I thought I’d go to 80 strokes…just to make sure.” That’s what I have been doing wrong!

  • @Auraborialus
    @Auraborialus 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    in ancient times people would have an EDC, an everyday carry. inluding fire starter. if you had bow drill kit you would carry it with you or flint along with material for catching fire.

  • @chrisegnoto
    @chrisegnoto 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I agree, David. When I teach this stuff, I always tell my students that it took me a long time to get it right and I would get so upset with myself and feel so defeated but I never gave up. In fact, I started a journal and I used it to better my skills. I have seen special forces soldiers get so angry with it and that actually made me feel better - lol. They are elite at what they do, so it was nice to know I had struggled along with them, too - lol. Good video!

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It discourages a lot of beginners, many just quit trying, because so many experts make it look like you should be able to just walk through any woods, gather all the natural materials, and make fire. Most of these experts are deceiving people because THEY NEVER ADMIT TO, what they've secretly done to overcome moisture... as I talk about in the description.

  • @mindfulicious
    @mindfulicious 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for your honesty and helping us new to all of this!

  • @ClayTallStories
    @ClayTallStories 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I don't think any of my favorite survivalist TH-camrs that I follow have made it look easy? I have always struggled to make fire on my primitive challenges and have shown my own shortcomings. That's part of the challenge. These are great videos David. Please keep them coming.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I agree. I guess I was talking about 10 years ago when people would go into the woods with nothing find and use chert for blades, natural fibers for cordage and bird's nests, etc. They always allowed us to think they were in unfamiliar woods and were just happening to run up on everything they needed to make bow drill kit and fire. Hard to explain without writing a few paragraphs.

  • @backwoodstrails
    @backwoodstrails 6 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Another school of thought - When I teach friction fire, I use the easiest materials for my students for two reasons - First, I want them to perfect their technique (body position and such), Second, I want them to be successful as I feel they will be more encouraged to go forward with more challenging woods/ conditions if they know they can actually do it. I am very clear that most conditions will be more challenging than the beginning combination of wood they are starting with. I supply then with more difficult sets as they progress. I have seen people that get so discouraged, using a tough set at first, and not getting an ember that they have no desire to go on. --- I have not tried your "drying cycle" technique but am now encouraged to give it a try. Great videos - Thanks for making them!

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      backwoodstrails You'te very kind. Drying cycles are repeated burn ins till you get black dust. Thank You.

  • @kaylamarie8309
    @kaylamarie8309 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love your honesty..you are without a doubt the fire whisperer. I have never heard of privot wood but I'm going to find out a little more about it now.

  • @ianbarlowuk
    @ianbarlowuk 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Hi Ian here from UK,,, with your help I have created fire via bow drill and fire roll ,,, first success was June 2022 with Ivy wood ,,, its great to know i could do this in the wild if i ever needed to 👍 I've subbed btw 👍

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I know how you feel. I remember well my first success 10 years ago. Thanks for the Sub!

    • @ianbarlowuk
      @ianbarlowuk 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks so very much for taking the time to reply !!! This is the link to my fire roll 1st of 2024 😀👍 th-cam.com/video/6vi41HOzJQ8/w-d-xo.html

  • @petes3011
    @petes3011 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Hooray.!! the voice of reason.

  • @oldschoolwithamoderntwist6074
    @oldschoolwithamoderntwist6074 6 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    ,,, thank you David ,,i like a person that will tell the truth, its not as easy as we are lead to believe,, thanks for sharing the truth,

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks James.

    • @davidrratelljr6978
      @davidrratelljr6978 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Hello David I did make a bow drill set up all was very dry 2 hours to get an ember as I got one cool thing is I tried again twenty minutes went by an ember! Thanks for your help.

    • @paulwilson5600
      @paulwilson5600 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree, sometimes it is, other times you'll wear your arm out trying to get it and have no success. Usually I keep trying till I get it though

    • @johannlangner289
      @johannlangner289 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree, Thank you David! .... Now I'm gonna try it too and tonight, hopefully we eating a cooked meal, for the first time ever, lol

  • @brettfoster6786
    @brettfoster6786 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks David. It was my only New Years resolutions in 2020 . I failed. 2021 is the year 👍 . Weekend warriors!

  • @robertfleming387
    @robertfleming387 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thnx Dave...I always felt most teachers of these skills want others to feel they are particularly gifted..skills + experience = proficiency.. 👍

  • @troysco
    @troysco 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for helping me out with this! This cleared up a lot of mud for me!

  • @ericletts4072
    @ericletts4072 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I want to Thank You so much, I have watched those experts and I have tried it off and on for two years now and never got anything very little smoke, and a lot of getting mad at myself, but never any ember, or fire, I have learned a lot here. Thank You again. You are very honest.

  • @rtonce
    @rtonce 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for the details that encourage me to try to work through the complete process myself, some lazy, dry summer day.

  • @csh6220
    @csh6220 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another great demo. Thanks! I know what you mean about knowing what works in your area. I have bushes/trees in my yard that make great bow drills, though I have no idea what kind of bush/tree it is. I cut several limbs off of it and take the bark off, then let them dry a few days. Once dry they work great. Cedar is another wood I like and I know what it is. Thanks again.

  • @matbryan9047
    @matbryan9047 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well said David.
    I'm in Australia and have tried many combinations of timbers here, an failed more times than succeded.
    My go too is grasstree flower spike and palm frond.
    Thanks for being you.

  • @OutdoorAcademyAustralia
    @OutdoorAcademyAustralia 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for sharing. Primitive man cared for and carried their fire kits. They didn't rely on luck or good weather. People who don't carry multiple items in their fire kits haven't relied on fire to live.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good one. EDC 4 fire makers. There's no reason not to.

  • @ingotdearth
    @ingotdearth 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome, thanks for the tips!

  • @Shaolin9424
    @Shaolin9424 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks David. Great video.

  • @lars-eriksahlstrand3287
    @lars-eriksahlstrand3287 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your honestsy is refreshing and you learn me new skills . Best Wishes from Lars-Erik from Stockholm Sweden.

  • @CliffManis
    @CliffManis 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Well done, well said and thanks...

  • @Metal2Bach
    @Metal2Bach 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good video, good skills and great point. I've seen firsthand the dangerous, hands-off mindset that "experts" create in people when those people sit at home and watch "survival shows" on TV, but never actually practice the skills or try it themselves.
    I was practicing hand drill the other day when my in-laws came by and started watching me. After I had tweaked my hearthboard and spindle for several minutes, produced a coal, and blew it into a flame using prepared cattail down and dry grasses/branches around me, my mother-in-law said something that made me both laugh to myself and shake my head at her mindset. Without asking anything about what materials I used, how to practice, what is good vs. bad technique, etc, she said "thanks for showing us! Now we know how, in case we ever have to make a fire like that."
    It totally took my off-guard how confident she was that she was fully capable of producing a flame using fire by friction in a less-than-ideal survival situation, even though she's never even tried it. I just thought it was funny that I was out there sweating and practicing to do it and still struggling sometimes, and she figured she could just knock it out on her first try. :D Hopefully she'll never have to.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      People make the exact same comments here. I don't even bother to burst their bubble.

  • @Hotsauce-cj7kj
    @Hotsauce-cj7kj ปีที่แล้ว +3

    EVERY ONE of my favorite TH-cam survivalists exuded tremendous difficulty in pretty much all fires they created. NONE of them made it look easy.

  • @kentbarnard5110
    @kentbarnard5110 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great info David! Thanks.

  • @usualsuspect5173
    @usualsuspect5173 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good job...now I want to try it

  • @idahomountainelk
    @idahomountainelk 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I agree. I made my first bow drill fire with old cedar fence posts in the backyard. Making one in the woods was a lot harder. It was tough to fine a straight piece for the drill. The wind has also caused me grief, blowing my ember across the patio and forest floor. I still want to experiment with different combos of woods like sage, aspen and cottonwood.

  • @danielbarr4630
    @danielbarr4630 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Spreading knowledge. Good on you!

  • @iftiali
    @iftiali 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Appreciate your honesty and wisdom.

  • @bobbywashington1975
    @bobbywashington1975 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is fantastic I've never seen a detailed video on this.

  • @Hootyhoo-jq9vq
    @Hootyhoo-jq9vq 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Either it will or it won’t. Poetic.
    Love ur channel.

  • @derekgreene3027
    @derekgreene3027 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Glad I caught it tho so I never miss new videos

  • @b679995
    @b679995 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Sir, I am very impressed, I'm 65 years old and even though I have seen this process ONLY in Movies or Films where they explain Nothing, I almost feel like this is something I could accomplish if it were necessary, you NOW have a NEW subscriber who will go back and watch ALL of your Videos, Thank You for the Knowledge !

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Steven Conroy Everything you need to know about achieving most fire techniques are within my videos. Let me know which ones you accomplish as time goes by. Thanks!

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'll be 60 Jan 6th.

  • @mattywollaston3996
    @mattywollaston3996 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic job as usual David, thanks mate for all the great tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @Sdroalaun
    @Sdroalaun 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks David, was a pleasure to watch, and very informative.

  • @kevinpride6543
    @kevinpride6543 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent information and demonstration! Thank you sir!

  • @duwomaiishgabrielle9498
    @duwomaiishgabrielle9498 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very cool, ty

  • @jacquelynportee3875
    @jacquelynportee3875 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the information. That's a neat way to start a fire without fuel or matches.

  • @lukedupont6238
    @lukedupont6238 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video! Firstly, it's great that you identified that tree which I always found and cut down as a kid: privet! It's incredibly common, but I never knew what to call it and no-one seems to talk about it. Secondly, I've tried friction fires on many occasions; all smoke, no ember! I was getting rather discouraged. I guess there's something to be said for "crawling before you walk" -- I'll try stacking the odds more in my favor until I get good at it, before thinking that I can just make do with whatever I happen to find.

  • @JTM369
    @JTM369 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best video on this by far

  • @MaffTUK
    @MaffTUK 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Well done for being straight up, nice to see :-)

  • @NatesOutdoors
    @NatesOutdoors 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome man,ur right u don't know how many times I was quite discouraged over the hand drill,I watch videos where ppl could get an ember in like a few seconds so that's what I expected,until I watched ur videos,they helped me a lot now all I do is experiment with different types cause I know what to expect,if it wasn't for the help of u and Lonnie I would have given up,thanks again and ur awesome

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Nathanial's Adventures Me too... I would have given up without ever making a single ember but Gundog5 saw my fails video, encouraged me to continue, and ended up mentoring me for years.

  • @axistec
    @axistec 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Perfect and on point my friend 👍👍👍👍

  • @TheRevoltingMan
    @TheRevoltingMan 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! Thank you.

  • @andrewgalloway7344
    @andrewgalloway7344 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    THANKYOU ! ...exactly ... materials materials materials.......

  • @peteweimer2546
    @peteweimer2546 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you Mr. West for the great video of interest and information. I have never experienced the Bow Drill activity but I think I will give it a try or two, three or whatever it takes. I am a retired carpenter and know if you don't try you never will know-

  • @KellyGordonUSA
    @KellyGordonUSA 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome! Thanks for keeping it real!

  • @williamnelson4066
    @williamnelson4066 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Btw I loved your down to earth approach and the good vid you made

  • @w8rok
    @w8rok 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great video

  • @markcolby2927
    @markcolby2927 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You made me laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. You said everything I was thinking but much nicer. The other thing is they always have such nice tools with them. Let some one drop them off in an area they don't know with nothing but the clothes on their back and survive . That might impress me.

  • @dann3410
    @dann3410 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent instruction...thank you.

  • @andysmith5989
    @andysmith5989 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    finally an honest bow fire vid awesom stuff sir

  • @77pete7
    @77pete7 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent. Thanks!

  • @frankgaletzka8477
    @frankgaletzka8477 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well Done
    The truth is always the best way
    Thanks
    Yours Frank

  • @paullanier8280
    @paullanier8280 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Mr. West. The scout troop we belong to, 478, made expo on primitive fire making techniques. One percent can do this. It takes patience. It was at centennial event of BSA north America at Avondale site. Seven of our scouts and leaders had ton of fun teaching and the expression on the faces of the successful scouts made our day!!

  • @MrJdsenior
    @MrJdsenior 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Very honest and informative. Thanks for posting, could be a lifesaver in the right (wrong?) conditions. I think I will try this a couple of times just to have it in my "toolkit".

    • @caseykelso1
      @caseykelso1 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Right next to the pack of Bic lighters🎉

  • @gaetanproductions
    @gaetanproductions 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks great video !

  • @silva-anderida7695
    @silva-anderida7695 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice one.Cheers.

  • @lloydwhite3198
    @lloydwhite3198 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks boss, and Godspeed . Just subscribed to see your future and past videos.

  • @vidskitkid
    @vidskitkid 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wow Mr. West! Your skills and technique are impressive to see, thanks for sharing this knowledge with us, fun to watch as well!

  • @adambauman8044
    @adambauman8044 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have now made bow drill fires in multiple conditions using different types of woods and bow strings. I'm still looking for a video that explains how to stop the bow string from climbing up the drill and hitting the hand block. This is by far more difficult than finding materials and shaping them properly.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  ปีที่แล้ว

      If the entire spindle is tapered or if your not bowing level that will happen. Do not deviate from the way I show in my tutorials in my bow drill playlist.

  • @jeffeichler427
    @jeffeichler427 25 วันที่ผ่านมา

    David thanks for the video. I agree all the factors you mentioned attribute to a better chance of creating friction fire. The thing is people need to go out and try for themseveles in a safe setting or recreated situation. Knowledge may be gained from reading or watching videos but unless practiced it cannot turn into experience. Morale and perseverance mixed with experience and preparation gives you a good chance of living though a true survival situation.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  25 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Greater skills in primitive fire-making reveals its unreliability. Always carry a Bic, ferro rod, and wallet fresnel lens.

  • @robertmeineke2174
    @robertmeineke2174 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you sir. It's appreciative to hear these things., I have been watching your videos a long time. I really enjoy them, you have to be the friction fire king! I still can't get a cotton
    ball fire going

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Check out the tutorials in my fire roll playlist.

  • @tlover94
    @tlover94 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I grew up camping,Backpacking and hiking. I would make my own bow fire starter when I would go camping and start fires right out in nature. As long as you know how to do it and what you're looking for it can be done.

  • @TnMtnRdr
    @TnMtnRdr 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Like most any skill, it takes some time to master it. And so if success doesn't come just keep at it. Those who get experienced can make it look easy without half trying.

  • @larrycater-tx613
    @larrycater-tx613 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you.

  • @moonolyth
    @moonolyth 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great info. will have to try c\some time Thanks.

  • @aswwafl
    @aswwafl 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank-you.

  • @outofeden_bushcraft3142
    @outofeden_bushcraft3142 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Agree 110% . Its not easy . I make sets to dry and carry them with me (as indigenous people did) for that reason . There's a reason your sets are already made at some of these survival schools. Thank you for your honesty sir. That's why I don't subscribe to most of these "big" channels. They're only promoting themselves and the free products that they get.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't understand why that offends so many people. As you stated primitive people had favorite species. If it didn't produce for on the spot friction fire, you know they dried it out and then kept it that way for future use.

    • @outofeden_bushcraft3142
      @outofeden_bushcraft3142 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      David West Exactly ! BTW : Great job explaining and demonstrating .

  • @dogdadoutdoors
    @dogdadoutdoors 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    100%, I did a video last week where I show me trying to do something simple like feather sticks for first time as a complete beginner to that technique and I failed. Its harder than it looks on TH-cam, you have to practice these skills.

  • @derekgreene3027
    @derekgreene3027 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you so much Dave I've learned so much from your videos and when I tried what I've seen in other folks videos it never quite worked out for me but every single thing I've tried from your videos has absolutely worked like a charm ❤❤❤ please by absolutely all means never stop making these extremely helpful and legit working videos for us

  • @MrDondon38306
    @MrDondon38306 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for cluing me in on the moisture factor. I know not to try the friction technique in humid conditions and wasting time and precious energy in a survival situation.

    • @MrDondon38306
      @MrDondon38306 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The funny thing about it is i'm a fine wood worker. Countertops. If not sealed properley will warp with changes in humidity

  • @nickolasedmunds
    @nickolasedmunds 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Had issue with out the notch explains every thing thx

  • @k.d.8924
    @k.d.8924 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    that privet is awesome stuff, I've known it to work right after a big rain, still dripping wet.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's got to be one of the best bow drill materials around!

  • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
    @DavidWestBgood2ppl  5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Hand Drill, Bow Drill... It's dishonest for some of our favorite experts to let us think that they are JUST THAT GOOD! That they are really finding "on the spot"/ "freshly found materials "/ "straight from nature" that they've never seen before... No, I think they already know where all the materials that they're going to use are at and how dry they are...They know where all the dead standing is located, and where all the tinder, cordage material, and rocks that they're going to use are at beforehand. They also know their state of decay, how long it's been since it has rained, and how favorable the humidity is supposed to be that particular day.
    Is it right to make people think you can just walk out into any woods in any weather conditions and be able to just whip up a friction fire?
    In today's video, I explain how forthcoming we all should be. Think of how discouraging it must be for a beginner!
    Please SUBSCRIBE at the end of the video. Thanks!
    OTHER VIDEOS YOU WILL ENJOY:
    The Bundled Spindle Technique... Using 4 Old Horseweed Spindles
    th-cam.com/video/0aRSlLVWAkc/w-d-xo.html
    Using a Paperback Book for a Bow Drill Fire Board
    th-cam.com/video/SMWVJvLQnjs/w-d-xo.html

    • @TheGrayManOG
      @TheGrayManOG 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's about as honest as it gets. I have never started a fire from the hand drill on the first try. It takes me awhile sometimes and other times conditions make it impossible. Great video on it.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TheGrayManOG Seems like some years I have great materials and great humidity levels... other years? not so much.

    • @leoricardo5743
      @leoricardo5743 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Aborignal people in Britain used to take their climatis vine boards around with them. Ray Mears suggested doing the same. A few of these boards have been found with dozens of holes. They were used in the kit for years as they moved around!

  • @isaacgamez7101
    @isaacgamez7101 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank for you hard work making these videos have learnt a lot from watching them

  • @stevedurden92
    @stevedurden92 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    David you are the Best teacher ! I hope to have fire soon thanks.

  • @marcleblanc7021
    @marcleblanc7021 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I notice you kits are smaller than alot of folks. I like your procedure.

  • @nadronnocojr
    @nadronnocojr 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I appreciated your hard work sir, and for sharing with us the real deal, I have an mc2 compass and tried for an hour straight , and was seeing a white dot for a day lol ... sunglasses next time, after seeing your other video.. and patience and hard work . Great videos , really helps a green horn like myself.. thank you for all your time

  • @rokhnroll
    @rokhnroll 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love the pocket knife ( I got one after seeing your video on it ) it make for an excellent budget carving knife too. As for the bow drill friction fire I am going to be attempting my first this weekend and have started putting the pieces together, I am certain I will fail to begin with so I will use the library of knowledge on your channel to help me put the odds back in my favour. Kind regards.

  • @larryhawkes1347
    @larryhawkes1347 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I agree that many people inadvertently or on purpose leave information out, for example videos showing how to use the fire piston leave a very important step out that I have not run across in a video yet. When using a fire piston it is very effective to purge the oxygen-depleted air out of the piston before the next compression, if you simply take a dowel that Loosely fits into the piston and slided in and back out a couple of times you will have fresh oxygen rich air in the Piston again which dramatically increases the success of ignition during the subsequent compressions.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      IDK. Are you not creating a vacuum when you start removing the piston? What fills that vacuum?

    • @larryhawkes1347
      @larryhawkes1347 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Each compression that successfully creates a combustion, burns the oxygen. There might be a slight vacuum when U-Pull the Piston out past three quarters of the way or so, but that is not enough to replace the current space in the cylinder with fresh air and oxygen. If you have a fire piston give it a try you will actually see the smoke from the combustion Purge out of the cylinder when you slide something like a dowel into the cylinder, then as the dowel is pulled out it draws new fresh air and oxygen into the cylinder. Another way to think about it is for the same reason an engine diesel or gas has intake and exhaust valves, oxygen is a key component to any combustion.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I see the point you're making. I have no FP because they do not interest me. I wonder how you can say that all the usable oxygen is used up? and why the vacuum created and filled doesn't have sufficient oxygen for next plunge? I guess your experiments with the FP indicate that. There's plenty of FP videos and channels out there. Wonder what they think?

  • @porkcheeks
    @porkcheeks 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    These are hard earned skills and it was discouraging no matter what videos I watched. Still is. I’ve failed in my few attempts to do an on the spot fire video but have produced several off camera. It’s so rewarding to go out with just a knife or even nothing and end up with a fire. Practice is perfect. Knowing materials, conditions, and having confidence (tho I made an ember today in the rain and have failed on bone dry days...shrug). Your videos helped me a lot on my journey. Good stuff.

  • @northernminnesotasasquatch2532
    @northernminnesotasasquatch2532 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awsome! I had a guy teach me this and I made it happen my first try but my arms were jello for awhile🙂 people dont comprehend how hard this is to do.

    • @johannlangner289
      @johannlangner289 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lmao, I tried it yesterday and my arms were jello too

  • @AlanKidd4life
    @AlanKidd4life 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the video Dave. I must say that I am no expert in making a bow drill fire. When I first started learning how to make a bow drill fire, on my own, I had only observed a guy make a bow drill fire using sage wood, and he struggled at it. I know absolutely that back then, I would have agreed with you. I attempted to make a bow drill fire 5-10, maybe even 15, times before I actually made my first fire. I did get lots of smoke in those first attempts. My arms were exhausted and I was sweating profusely...but no fire. However, I kept watching a variety of video's on TH-cam (Thank you TH-cam and all the contributors). There is a definite science to the bow drill fire. Giving gratitude for the fire in advance worked for me, which is when I actually made my first fire. Several years later now, I know that I can go out into the woods and build a fire from scratch...because I have done it several times over a span of about 5 years, summer and winter, rain and shine. I've also failed a whole lot of times in the process. That's how I learned what worked, and what didn't. Finding dry wood and tinder, even after the rain, is possible. You're right...humidity and rain DEFINITELY complicate things, but not impossible. What I look for now is cedar and/or cottonwood. I find thick, dry cedar branches, even attached to the base of the tree, to make my hearth board, and carve down the sides to the center wood. And similarly, find straight branches from the same tree. Or, I've sometimes found cottonwood in some areas close by for the spindle. Cedar has worked the most constantly, for me anyway. For dry tinder in wet conditions, I've used thin, inner shavings from the larger branch, and the tree sap from spruce or pine. Bark from the cedars, when dry, works very well. I learned from my Navajo brother-in-law, the natives call the cedar bark by a word I can maybe translate pronounced agii, or ah-jeh. I have no clue how they actually spell the word, but the bark works. Many factors, like the shape...width...& depth of the V cut, the right amount of pressure to make brown dust instead of black dust, or no dust. Start slow and steady to allow the wood and friction to do all the hard work of creating enough heat, so I don't exhaust myself. Full strokes of the length of the bow. Many minute factors go into it, but can make a huge difference in my results. That said...I have gone into the woods with a machete and a length of 550 paracord, gathered my raw materials, and made fire using the bow drill...several times over a span of several years now...just to see if I could do it. I do now carry in my pack, those materials, like you say the experts do. Maybe I am an expert, but I don't claim to be, because I still learn new things from time to time to improve. Thanks again Dave. All the best!

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Alan Kidd Sounds like you enjoy Bow Drill as much as I do. Thanks!

    • @AlanKidd4life
      @AlanKidd4life 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you, David! You're the first person that I've learned how to make the fire roll from cotton balls and ashes. I saw that on another video you did. Going to do that soon too. The first time I made a fire with the bow drill, I was so excited. When I was able to repeat that, even better! My annoyed wife didn't share my enthusiasm, haha. She kept wondering why I just don't go use matches. That just wouldn't be as much fun, LOL

  • @prasetyo313
    @prasetyo313 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks david ..for your tips and trick im from indonesia

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm glad you watched and then said hello! Thank you!

  • @EdwinDekker71
    @EdwinDekker71 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good video

  • @ytSuns26
    @ytSuns26 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Camping on the Platt river our scout leader taught us to use flint and steel to light the big camp fire, early in the day he and I went and got kerosene and soaked select portions of the evening fire. Later with all the scouts gather waiting to see flint and steel start a fire. The scout leader produced his zippo lighter, flint and steal.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      In lighters they call them flint, but they are actually mini ferrocerium rods... ferro rods.

  • @robbo8871
    @robbo8871 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    cheers mate

  • @duanehamilton496
    @duanehamilton496 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent Video! It was very informative and enjoyable as usual. I must say though, that I searched all day for a ball bearing tree and couldn't find one here in Virginia. I suppose I need to find something else for a bearing block 🙂

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  ปีที่แล้ว

      You took the bait. You only see what I allow you to see. I didn't edit it out like the dishonest would do.

  • @mattbryant96
    @mattbryant96 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Got myfirst friction fire going in a non sterile environment the other day. But only after getting to know that piece of land for a few weeks was I able to get the right materials and conditions. Even then it was still tricky. But man what a great feeling

  • @collinsfriend1
    @collinsfriend1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    glad you're doing a reality check. I think most youtube instructors are not thinking so much about people getting false ideas about how "easy" it is to start a fire...but rather just showing how. I agree a serious problem with that is many many people take it literally. It doesn't occur to them, even when TOLD that they need to practice a LOT, much more than they may want or have time for. Some people, probably more urban aren't used to any kind of fire, including woodstove heating and don't realize the importance of dry and fine tinder etc and the perfect conditions used for a demonstration vs the reality of needing a survival fire under adverse conditions. Thanks for bringing it up and hopefully people won't be so likely to go unprepared thinking they can just whip up a fire because they remember how "the guy" did it. When I was in a hospital a while back, I watched that show "Naked and Afraid" for the first time. A repeating theme was failure to make a fire after several days. Green and wet wood, inexperience. They had 6 weeks of "study" and apparently didn't study the corresponding fire methods for the area they were placed in..... imagine if there was no TV crew to rescue them.

    • @DavidWestBgood2ppl
      @DavidWestBgood2ppl  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Survival Shows... Don't get me started... I guess I shouldn't say anything because I only practice off a table in my backyard under ideal conditions but... How can a contestant that is a survival instructor only know hand drill but not bow drill? The first thing he does is severely blister his hands with the Hand Drill and need to bow drill? How are so many people FINALLY getting fire but not using that as an opportunity to dry out and keep dried out tinder, char, ashed tinder, etc. for when the rains come and put their fires out? I watched a behind the scenes clip of the Show's survival guy showing the contestants how to bow drill. The lady didn't even have her wrist anchored to her shin, it was stuck out about 10", unsupported, YET, he was encouraging her to "keep bowing you almost have it." With all the great ferro rod tutorials on TH-cam, why do contestants so consistently struggle with the technique?... I don't understand.

  • @robinflory6109
    @robinflory6109 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    nice video

  • @arok2663
    @arok2663 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    enlightening, ty o/

  • @Molb0rg
    @Molb0rg 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good.

  • @WarGrrl3
    @WarGrrl3 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    God Bless you. Thank you

  • @gooberdooberwunderb
    @gooberdooberwunderb ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! Thank you 💪🇺🇸🔥