My dad was a marine, growing up hunting, fishing and camping he taught nothing can serve you better than a well built knife. It can feed you, protect you, keep you warm, and give you shelter. Never leave home without it
Man I love your teaching style. Slow and thorough, explaining every detail. I’ve watched a lot of bow drill fire starting videos and this is definitely the best I can remember.
It really is. He included some vital never before seen points like the building up of the dust for extra tinder for your little coal, plus the double winding of the boot lace around the spindle. Makes so much sense. Yet I didn't think of it ever before, and neither did many others apparently.
Great video. Here's a vote for a late-season repeat in less than ideal conditions. Maybe with the vertical-drive mechanism (slot at top of shaft) so people can see there is more than the bowstring method available.
Fantastic lesson at making fire with just a shoe string and a knife there mate.. another one is a trick taught by the philippines soldiers to the us soldiers...using dry bamboo which i'll keep in mind incase i forget my fire lighters...
Love your videos. I'm almost 73 and I just learned the bow drill fire about 5 or 6 years ago . I practice it a lot to the point that I look for something difficult for a challenge. I once cut and made a set from green wood . I made my barring from a piece of dead Osage which is so hard that it glazed over pretty good and then I made the rest of the kit from mimosa for the bow and cottonwood for the spindle . But they were green wood . It took me 5 hours to get the coal and fire. I was so exhausted that I almost had to crawl to the house . The temperature was 100 degrees. I do like a challenge. Lol
I also have Osage longbows but I make my arrows out of cottonwood. My downfalls are flintknaping my arrowheads . I let a 500 pound bear get away from me because my arrowhead was to heavy for the amount of regidity in the shaft . It wobbled all the way to the target and then bounced off. Me and the bear had a nervous few minutes before he worked his way around me to get to a slightly down wind position where he scented me and spooked and ran. It's dark now and I got two miles to walk to camp. I keep a spear with me at all times in the bear woods. I seem to relax more with my "Cold steel" spear. I have come so close to being forced to use it but the Good Lord worked it out for me to live by his hand and not mine. I'm sure I have gone on to long for this format so I'll hush now !
The first time I learned this I was at 9k feet in Colorado mountains. It was May so everything was wet, cold, and it was hailing every now and again. But I eventually got it going! Thankfully my knife handle has a divet which simplified the prep work. After that time every other has been a piece of cake. After that adventure I learned to put the bowstring on my knife as a lanyard. God I love my knife.
Knives saves lives . I've carried a knife in my pocket since 1968. I've been ten miles from home on a short their and back trip of 20 miles and turned around and went back home and got my knife. Don't understand any man without a knife.
Here's another vote for less than ideal conditions. It's odd how amazing it is to see fire made from a bow and drill set. It truly is a skill every outdoorsman/woodsman should know. Great video. 👏👏
Spot on Clay! Primitive fire is my favorite outdoor skill. It's amazing how hard friction fire is until you truly own the skill and amazing how easy it is once you do. Somebody told me once that's 100 fires. I never actually counted, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate. Once you learn to read the dust, you get good quick. Then it's having the experience to find and read the materials in all kinds of conditions and locations.
Haven't watched a ton of your content yet. I watch a ton of content. Let me say you are now my #1 bushcrafter. If I had to pick one person to pair up with, it'd be you. Much respect!
Tip: angle your bow slightly when sawing to prevent the cordage from rubbing on itself (this is especially important when using natural cordage such a dogbane, etc) 👍
A beautifully crafted and demonstrated friction fire method with spot on knife skills. However, what this video really demonstrates is the huge value of carrying cordage!
One of the few best videos ever about this topic! Very, very well made in all aspects (storytelling, filming, editing but most importantly teaching knowledge)!
I remember my uncle teaching me these skills when I was very young, and always testing me on it when he had an opportunity. I haven’t done this in a very long time, and now have a young son myself that needs to know these things. Your videos have gotten me excited to see how hard it will be after all of these years, and to pass this knowledge to my son. Thank you for the inspiration because I’ve been anxious about how terrible I am at “real” outdoorsman life after years of the fancy stuff helping me along. 😂
This is an excellent video about bow drill and maybe even the best one on RU-vid. This, because we really see the process from A to Z. Not many include the gathering of the necessary materials... Well done and thank you!
If you know the materials, the location shouldn't matter that much. "The more you know, the less you need." Mountains, prairie, forrest, swamp, desert. There is always something new to learn. Good video Clay.
@@TheJustinJ nope. Always a fire first. If at all possible. It will may everyone feel better, wife and kids. Keeps the panic down. If it is getting late a fire will provide light and heat and maybe keep some critters away. And if for some reason you only have a knife a fire 1st is a must, building shelter with a knife only will take some time. It is easy to carry a bic lighter, matches, magnesium block , and in the right conditions a magnifying glass, which can be found on some swiss knifes.
GREAT video.... I like how you pointed out the importance of the notch that is needed to be cut into the friction bottom stick for collecting the ash sawdust !
Best skill to know when you're matchless. I'm glad I had a semester of survival living in college. final was a week in the wilderness with just a knife and a good pair of boots. Had to live for a week. Passing grade was gaining weight at the end of the week when we were rescued. Best fun week ever
Oh man I love how clean, respectful and thoroughly entertaining this video is. Covering all angles and well constructed while combining theory and practical in a smooth and delightful fashion. Blessings from Cape Town. ❤
“I’d like to see you do that in the snow with no knife in the rain with one arm chewed off by a grizzly bear while dehydrated with diarrhea.” What is with these stupid comments. Thanks for taking the time to show us what you do, I appreciate it very much.
@@gs5015 I watched it! I've been a fan of Clay's for years. So I was pumped to get to watch him on the show, and even more pumped to see him bring home the W.
That was elder flower, late August it becomes elder Berry. Dry or fresh flowers can be boiled in water and drank as a tea. The darker the berries are, the better they are for you. Here in Britain Elder is actually classed as a weed, because they spread everywhere. If you pick the flowers early morning before the sun is too high in the sky, the flowers taste better and you can also make medicines and puddings from them.
Thanks for the close-ups and slow-mo's of the process; I've seen plenty of demonstrations but this is the first one that left me with zero questions to ask. Thank you! Can't wait for wildfire season to be over so I can practice this! And yes, another video in less than perfect conditions is a great idea. I'll be watching for it.
Very well done. Just one thing, the upper pressure piece used to press down on the rotating shaft -- it's importance to the success cannot be understated, and it's not all that easy to achieve low friction with naturally available items. One possibility is a river-worn stone with a suitable hollow; but a very light and readily available item to add to your pack is an empty spice bottle. Works like magic.
I love everything about this video. As a wannabe outdoorsman, this speaks to me. I have GOT to try this out. I saw in that comments that it takes 100 tries of doing this before you are any good at it. Time to get started.
The bowline and trucker’s hitch are two knots I learned young and have found no end of uses for. The clove hitch is also very useful but a distant third for what I do.
That was amazing. I love the way you are not unsure it will work, it shows that it can be done, and....don't panic. The fire will start, it is just a matter of technique. Thank you so much!
These are the types of videos that we all need before long the only thing I'm going to have is quote unquote primitive technologies to use we better be mastering every one of them thank you.
This channel is almost 100% useful as well as being well narrated and relatable. Many thanks. A friend came to my house to start a fire this way, but with ready-made materials. It is time to try this from scratch. Awesome.
You are still one of the only ones that actually demonstrates bushcraft abilities with minimal tool. Everyone else be building tarp structures and lighting fire with duck tape. Keep up the good work!!!
Awesome video, love bow drill I've been using it for the last 5 years... A follow up in less then ideal conditions would be good. Fatwood makes a great bearing block as well...
Oh man this is so inspiring. I have struggled for years with friction fire, never considered elderberry. I see so many videos using the popular woods that just don't grow in our area. I am going out to get some to try today!
Your videos remind me of home. I grew up in the central Washington State area near Leavenworth/Wenatchee. I miss the outdoor recreational aspect of the area, but not all of the nonsense that goes with it. I appreciate the time you put into your videos. They are done if the best available.
"Oh service berries, nice!" I just took my 2 year old out two days ago to look for service berries and thimble berries close to my house in northern Utah. We found a few but it was fun to watch her gobble up the thimble berries. Also I'm curious what knife you're using? I like the design.
I sure wish he talked more during these videos. He’s an interesting guy who has a lot of knowledge and the minute of silence while cutting wood aren’t all that enlightening.
I wanted to give this five likes but RU-vid only lets me give one. I've watched dozens of these start a fire videos and this is the first one that did what I would have done, just create the coal directly on the tinder.
This is, hands down, THE BEST instruction tutorial on bow drill fire lighting. - I had NEVER seen anyone ever speak about building up your dust first to make more timer for your little tiny coal. - NOR, had I ever seen anyone DOUBLE UP the chord on the spindle! Genius!! Why didn't I think of that! There I was so many times getting frustrated by the damn chordage slipping on the spindle! And I was wondering why you were (in relative terms) leaving the boot lace so slack on the bow. It was of course to allow for a nice tight fit of TWO winds around the spindle, not one. Thank you so much. I think you've singlehandedly sorted out my few remaining problems with bow drill lighting. Thank you so much, from Ireland. 🇮🇪🇮🇪👍👍 Subscribed too obviously!!
Excellent job showing and narrating each step with very clear explanations. I would share the reason you want to only cut your notch 1/3 into the bowl is so that your dust can collect. Then you have heat that can build up there. If you cut too far into the bowl you will have drop out or loss of dust and you won’t build up the necessary heat needed right there in that spot to achieve a hot coal and then ignition. Great work and new Sub here. 👏
Knowledge of bushcraft is critically important for outdoor enthusiasts. Knife handling and fine motor skills with minimum effort show true bushcraft skill. REI can sell you lots of great stuff and You Tube can shoe you nifty tricks. Realistic practice and positive mental attitude are the keys to thriving.
Great demo, Clay! Absolutely, go with any demos that you would like. You channel is a wealth of REAL information. A damp fire set would be great. Thanks for asking!
I think this is one of the best explanations, on how to do a friction fire with a bow, i've seen on youtube so far. Thank you clay, and continue the good work 🙏
Thank you Clay and this is surely a truly fundamental life /survival skill which maybe should be taught in schools .. .so many people are not even aware of such things sadly . Best regards from 🇬🇧👍
Hello from Oklahoma! Good video. I've accomplished 2 bowdrill fires out of about 16 to 18 tries. It's not a easy thing. I saw some things I think will help. Thanks! And thanks for all you do. God Bless!
Great! I'll send this to my Auntie Anteefa from the Pac NW. She's a beginner and wanted to know how to start fires without any incendiary tools in extremely dry conditions.
I live about an hour and 15 minutes from you in Idaho North we use fatwood all the time for starting a wood cookstove in while we’re out camping you can’t beat it find shavings work awesome with a feral rod or bow drill CERT thanks for the vid take care God bless
Great video. I've only done 3 successful bow drill fires, here are a few tips I picked up. 1. Use a bigger, blunter tip on the drill 2. Double wrap the string on the drill I'd love to see the less than ideal conditions bow drill fire, since in ideal conditions the need for fire is diminished.
Brilliant, thank you for this. Been trying to learn this skill for a while and intermittently managed to do it. I'll keep trying, but this video has shown me some amazing tips so fingers crossed I can master it.
An Ojibwe native American /Nick Hockings at Lac du Flambeau taught me to keep my bracing arm inside my knee rather than outside and that using a rock for the top of the spindle in the palm of my hand decreases heat in your brace arm side. He has a native American outdoor museum up there in northern Wisconsin.
Great video Clay. I vote for a damp season fire start. Living in the Cascades, things are wet a good portion of the year so I would love to see how you would go about friction fire in that situation.
A hell of a skill to have. If one were ever have to resort to this in a real lost in the woods situation, and survive, I bet that that person always has a Bic lighter as well as a ferro rod on them at all times.
Very nicely done. Even though I am reasonably proficient with some primitive fire starting techniques, I always carry more than one modern method. And the the greater the possibility of the need for a fire, the more more methods I carry. Because unfortunately, the greater the need for a fire - the colder and wetter it is - the more difficult it is to start a fire. Between the time and effort required, soaking wet materials, and cold-induced reduced dexterity and effective working time, it can be almost impossible just when the need is the most dire. Our mantra is two is one and one is none. But when the warmth of a fire can make the difference in surviving, half a dozen ways is easy to carry and none too many.
Hi and greetings from the nation of Cymru (Wales) where it rains hard and fast, lots, (especially here in the North of the country). Therefore, for me it makes sense to have a tutorial for making fire in damp conditions, so "yes please". BTW, you have a really chilled and relaxing style of teaching and no OTT ego going on. Too many videos of a similar nature on RU-vid are just the opposite. Thanks/Diolch.
