What is the best wood to start a fire with a bow drill?

So a wood like pine, while being soft, is not going to work due to the sap, which causes convective cooling of the wood dust you’re trying to light. You’re better off using a wood that has a low ignition point. Physics aside, the best options are dry yucca stalks, cottonwood, cedar, aspen, and basswood.

How long does it take to start a fire with a bow drill?

How long does it take to start a fire with a bow drill? Usually it takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on how dry is the wood, how strong are you, and the weather conditions.

What wood do you use to make a bow drill?

Steps to Make a Bow Drill:

  1. The drill is cut from a straight, dry piece of hardwood such as ash, birch, hickory, maple or oak.
  2. Use another piece of hardwood to make the handle for the drill.
  3. Choose a piece of softwood such as cottonwood, pine, or poplar about 6 in wide by 12 to 18 in long by 1 in thick for the fireboard.

Is cedar good for bow drill?

All parts of the bow drill come from the ‘Tree of Life’. Even the cordage for the bowstring is made from the Red Cedar tree. Cedar is good wood for the bow drill but not the absolute best.

What is the best wood for starting a friction fire?

The Best Types of Wood and Tinder for Starting a Friction Fire

  • Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae)
  • Maple family (Aceraceae)
  • Olive family (Oleaceae)
  • Pine family (Pinaceae)
  • Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae)
  • Sumac family (Anacardiaceae)
  • Walnut family (Juglandaceae)
  • Willow family (Salicaceae)

What materials should you use when using the bow method to light a fire?

Preferably, for the fireboard, you should use a wood of medium-hardness, like cottonwood, willow, aspen, tamarack, cedar, sassafras, sycamore, and poplar, which are the very best. For the spindle, you should use either the same wood or harder wood. I find that an aspen fireboard and a yucca spindle work well.