johnsunter.com >> outdoor >> bushcraft >> friction fire lighting
Weekend friction fire lighting course run by Dave Watson and hosted by Survival School.
Survival school ran a friction fire lighting workshop, with guest instructor Dave Watson the firebow and fire drill specialist
Here Dave greets us all, along with Kev and Dave from Survival School (Dave Watson is the one with the hat on).
Dave demonstrates the correct way to check if the hearth of the firebow/drill is dry enough.
By pressing your upper lip to the wood, you can sense any moisture.
The course was extremely authentic and detailed.
Here Dave points out that in reality, during wet weather, it would be virtually impossible to find dry grass.
He talked us through various different types of tinder, including this large piece of rotted wood, which can be lit from firebow ember.
One surprise for me, was that its possible to make a perfectly functioning fire drill, completely from natural resources (I had always presumed that natural cordage would lack the durability for this type of work
Dave pointed out, that lime or nettle cordage could easily perform to the required standard.
Here a few of the team make lime and nettle cordage, whilst Kev processes a peace of spruce root.
Unfortunately, the Weather throughout the course was awful.
The quality of the instruction, and the personalities of the other course members more than made up for this.
I purchased a new Zebra pot from survival school, in advance of the course.
This is the pot brewing Tea, for me and a few of the lads .
All the course members
There were some great people in this bunch, who came from all walks of life.
A variation on the firebow, sees 2 people operating the drill, using their hands only to manipulate the spruce root.
You will also notice the drill block, is a sizable piece of wood, designed to be used by 2 people.
It was these types of variation that made the course so fascinating.
Dave demonstrates the fire drill.
Apparently, there are less than 100 people in the country, who can make fire this way
This technique was originally designed to be used in much warmer climates (I saw two Masai warriors do it in Africa) and it is a credit to the skill of Dave, that he can create an ember this way, even in a damp barn.
The ultimate test.
Having been taught for 2 days by Dave, the team decides to actually construct a firebow, completely from natural resources.
This is an immense challenge, as practicably all the wood and tinder in the forest is damp or wet.
Here the nettle cord is completed and ready for the drill. Dave pointed out that once natural fibres are twisted, they become much stronger and less brittle than normal.
With the parts all selected and carved, we "go to town" on the fire drill, and create and ember.
BJ takes the ember, and places it in the "birds nest" tinder, and starts to blow gently.
Minutes later, we have fire.
This proves, that if you know what you are doing, are in the woods, and only have a knife (and no boot laces) that creating fire from friction is perfectly possible.
Also in the picture is Dave's dog, who was good tempered and well behaved throughout the weekend.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Watson, Jonny Crocket, and everyone that works at their respective schools, for an amazing weekend.
