Bow Drill Fire - Matt Kessler 

The bow drill fire is an ancient skill utilized by indigenous people groups all over the world. Earliest evidence dates back to the 5th Century BC.
A bow drill consist of a spindle that is set in rapid rotary motion by means of a bow with taut cord wrapped around it, which is pushed back and forth with one hand. This creates enough friction on the hearth board to make a coal with which to ignite a tinder bundle. By forcing the drill to rotate on the hearth board, the friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into thermal energy - producing a small pile of wood dust that ignites into a coal.
Best trees for bow drill fire in Texas are: juniper (cedar) and cottonwood.
Bow. Use a tree branch the length of your arm and about 1 inch in diameter, with a slight curve.
Bow String. Use paracord (or learn how to make natural cordage from plants) 12 to 18 inches longer than your bow. String the cord from one end of your bow to the other.
Spindle. Whittle a 12-15 inch straight piece of dry wood into the shape of a sharpened pencil about the diameter of your thumb.
Hearth Board. Create a wooden plank, approximately 12 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
Bearing Block. A rectangle or piece of hardwood that has a divet in it for one end of your spindle. Must fit comfortably in your hand. Approximately 4 inches by 4 inches.
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