How to 'Build' a Friction Fire Ember: Step by Step with Up Close Footage

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.

Some tips and a demonstration on filling your notch with flammable dust before using speed and pressure to ignite it. Similar to prepping a campfire, it helps to build the fire before you light it.

[Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Very good advice. I do basically the same thing but did not have it down to a science as well as you. Now that I understand what is happening better, I should have even better results.

[shellfaith]

Best friction fire tutorial ever produced. Master filming, explanation y no rambling or self promoting. Your video is the standard by which others should be judged

[randomgrinn]

I've studied this for 30 years....no one ever mentioned, "over-charring" or, "ignition phase". Sounds like amazing insight, dying to go try it out!!!

[doctorbea]

The science and finesse behind this art that I've never seen presented so well. Cheers, brother! Thanks for the share!

[TheAsmodeus]

Seriously, this has been the most usefully instructive and clear demonstration of appropriate technique I've run across. Gives an easy to understand depiction of the finer points of using a bow drill without over-complicating the whole thing to try and look clever in some way.

My wife watched the video with me and immediately understood the principles without ever having done it. Not to mention that it made all the other videos etc. she had watched on the subject with me suddenly make a lot more sense to her. Nicely done!

[stevemcdermott]

Fantastic video, I've watched it about ten times

[GIBLETTS]

Got this link through Lonie below, you have just blown us all away ha ha . and a bigs thanks to Lonie for passing the information on,

[asmith]

Without a doubt the very best explanation and example of bow drill fire making ever. Even if you've done it before yourself the subtleties shown here give such a clear explanation of the process going on.

[joesoutdoorplaces]

This video, more than any other, brought me from mostly failing, to rarely failing to produce an ember.

[tallcedars]

Just as you had mentioned NWPrimate, at some point the ember builds itself. Today, for the first time, the ember magically appeared at the outside edge of the dust pile, just as yours does. Up till now it had formed on the edge of the divot.
So to make sure I wasn't dreaming, I fired up the drill a 2nd time and again that cherry showed it's beautiful color near the outside edge of the dust, and I was surprised once again, as I hadn't even begun to drill fast, I'm pretty stoked.
Thanks NWPrimate, I think I have it. There's talk on BCUSA of a book coming out, I hope it happens. You can add this ardent fan to the book list:)

[zgqzozu]

Very, very, well done, Sir. The best I've seen on this method. Smart, simple, clear.
Thanks.

[garyminick]

Every time I make a bow drill fire I hear this relaxing music in my head . I love it .

[jerrytalley]

I’ve watched so many bow drill fires by people very proficient at that and all forms of fire making. Far north Lonnie, David West, etc. I love them all and they are great guys. I’m sure as successful as they are, they’re naturally doing what you are SHOWING UP CLOSE. I have been failing in my several attempts but armed with this extra information, I feel confident I can succeed.
Did you mention the woods you like or are using? I know that can make it harder or easier depending on spindle and board combinations. It looks so easy when you guys do it, I’m going to succeed or die trying, LoL

[chickadeeacres]

Without having someone come here and walk me through it, I’d have to ay this was the next best thing and a lot quicker! Thanks for a great demo.

[bradlafferty]

Best bow drill tutorial ever! Thank you!

[TapioBlue]

Thank you, managed to start a fire today with the help of this video. Amazing how the sound gives cues to doing it correctly.

[roberthartman]

Excellent. I’ve made lots of coals but never understood it analytically to this level of detail. Outstanding!

[abutoma]

THanks! Wish I had seen this years ago so I could have learned the lesson without all the hard work and failures.

[rokhnroll]

Great tutorial ! I am going to add these tips/steps into my friction fire efforts, as I have yet to get an ember on any of my attempts so far, but I will not be denied ! Thanks for posting.

[flarion]

Best tutorial on this method hands down