Day 4: Creating A Bow Drill Fire
EVERY SURVIVALIST NEEDS A MEDKIT…
I MADE ONE THAT YOU SHOULD TRAVEL ON THE GO WITH…
GRAB YOURS ABOVE.
Bow Drills
Bow drills seem tough at first—but with practice, they’re one of the most reliable friction fire methods.
Why Egyptian Style?
Works great with 550 cord, shoelaces, or shirt strings
Super adjustable and forgiving with modern materials
What You Need (5 Parts):
Bow – Green stick (thumb-thick, springy like willow)
String – Tied with tension-adjusting wraps
Spindle – Bone-dry and straight; think “banana cut straight”
Hearth board – Flat, dry wood about spindle thickness
Socket – Low-friction top (knife divot, stone, or wood)
Pro Tips:
Fire harden your bow after first use
Add green leaves or sap to the socket to reduce friction
Aim for high friction on the hearth board, low friction on the socket
Your spindle must roll smooth—like a marble on tile
Practice creates mastery—this is a skill no one can take from you
Bottom Line
Mastering bow drills gives you fire from nothing.
And like all true survival knowledge—it weighs nothing.
