Bow Drill Spindle made from Sotol – Primitive Friction Fire, hand harvested!
Sotol Spindle Primitive Friction Fire! Low ignition point and lighter than other types of wood! The bow drill is an ancient and primitive method of starting fire without matches or a lighter. It consists of a bearing block or handhold, a spindle, a hearth board or fire board, and a simple bow. It’s a method that applies friction to generate heat. The heat eventually produces an ember in the burnt wood dust. The ember is tiny and fragile. Once it is formed it is carefully placed into a "tinder bundle" where it is carefully nurtured and coaxed into flame. Once the tinder bundle bursts into flame, it is placed into the fuel that has been assembled ready for ignition. I personally harvested and hand processed each Sotol spindle. As the word 'Primitive Fire' implies these spindles won't look and feel as if they just came out of a factory warehouse or woodshop. I've found that Sotol spindles and fire boards are easier and faster in creating a coal dust ember compared to other types of wood. With an ember ignition point of around 200 degrees, Sotol has one of the lowest ignition points for a spindle that you can use. A few stokes with the bow and it starts to smoke right away. This means that you'll have fewer strokes to create a coal ember for your nesting material to start your fire. This translates to creating coal ember faster and less work which means fewer calories needed! Sotol in my opinion is the finest friction fire making material in North America. So if you have access to Sotol, then prepare for success... it will literally spoil you! About your Bow Drill Sotol Spindle:Made from Sotol plant. Each spindle has been tested and burned in to make sure that they will work properly.Very light when compared to other spindles made of other types of wood. Each Sotol spindle weighs somewhere between .5 - 1.2 ounces only!Low ember ignition pointWhat you will receive with your purchase:Two (2) Sotol spindles already burnt in.Item Specifics:Material: Sotol (hand harvested, processed and crafted)Length: About 9 inches (it could be slightly longer or shorter)Total Weight: less than 2 ouncesClick here to see all of my e-Bay items
Bow Drill Spindle – Cottonwood
Cottonwood Spindle Primitive Friction Fire!Low ember ignition point! The bow drill is an ancient and primitive method of starting fire without matches or a lighter. It consists of a bearing block or handhold, a spindle, a hearth board or fire board, and a simple bow. It’s a method that applies friction to generate heat. The heat eventually produces an ember in the burnt wood dust. The ember is tiny and fragile. Once it is formed it is carefully placed into a "tinder bundle" where it is carefully nurtured and coaxed into flame. Once the tinder bundle bursts into flame, it is placed into the fuel that has been assembled ready for ignition. I personally harvested and hand processed the wood from already downed cottonwood trees spindle. As the word 'Primitive Fire' implies these spindles won't look and feel as if they just came out of a factory warehouse or woodshop. Besides Sotol spindles, I have found that Cottonwood spindles are easier and faster in creating a coal dust ember compared to other types of wood because of its low ember ignition point. Like Sotol, cottonwood has one of the lowest ignition points for a spindle that you can use. Consider yourself both lucky and blessed if you have access to this amazing tree. It is my opinion that Cottonwood is one of the best woods for ease of creating a coal with the bow drill method. About your Cottonwood Spindle:Hand crafted.Low ember ignition pointWhat you will receive with your purchase:Two (2) Cottonwood spindlesItem Specifics:Material: Cottonwood (hand harvested, processed and crafted)Length: About 9 inches Click here to see all of my e-Bay items