Bow Drill Demonstration

Here are a couple of demonstrations of tempting an ember from the wood with the Bow Drill.
Video#1 - I couldn't get it quite as I wanted it for this quick video, but then I thought it's probably best if it's not as it isn't always! At the start you'll hear some squeaking which indicates polishing and not enough friction. I get through the polishing by applying more pressure. You may also notice the cord slip, which can happen when using natural cord, as it wears through. As you can see I'm not going very fast but steady and applying downward pressure onto the bearing block. The woods used were Hazel spindle on Lime hearth board.
Video#2 - Here I am making a Bow Drill from scratch in the woods, again not everything goes perfectly and it takes a few attempts.

How not to use the Bow Drill

Here is a demonstration by Bear Grylls of how not to use the bow drill - sorry Bear! But, you only learn by your mistakes, and I made many when learning (and sometimes I still do) and I'm forever learning and experimenting and practicing. Bear's position and posture is all wrong for a start - no wonder he is struggling - he has nothing to stabilize his arm holding the bearing block so wobbling and he's not able to provide the pressure hence the squeaking - he needs to swap arms. The drill is a bit on long side, bow is a bit unwieldy too , and the hearth doesn't have a notch! (hmmm not sure where that ember came from in the end....)