How to Start a Fire With a String & a Bow
Before the invention of lighters and matches, or even before the use of flints and strikers, fires were typically started using friction. Early man discovered that wood of different densities, when rubbed together quickly, would produce enough friction to generate a burning ember. The ember was then placed within highly flammable tinder. Blowing on the ember would increase the heat, eventually producing a flame that acted as a starter for a fire. In one method, a small wooden bow and string is wound around a wooden dowel and worked back and forth to spin the dowel, producing the friction needed to start a fire.
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Things You'll Need
- Hardwood branch, 2 inches in diameter, 6 inches long
- Softwood branch, 3 inches in diameter, 16 inches long
- Straight hardwood stick, 1/2 inch in diameter, 10 inches long
- Sapling, 1 inch in diameter, 24 inches long
- Heavy-weight cotton cord, 24 inches long
- Heavy knife
Instructions
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1
Cut a slot in both ends of a 24-inch sapling with the knife. Tie a knot in both ends of the cotton cord. Hook the cotton cord in one notched end of the sapling. Bend the sapling slightly and hook the other end of the cord on the other notched end to form a bow.
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2
Split the softwood branch in half with the knife. Cut a 1/2 inch wide depression about half an nch from the edge on the inside face of one part of the softwood branch. This is where the ember will form. Cut a 1/2 inch depression in the side of the small hardwood branch. This acts as the bearing for the stick.
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3
Trim the ends of the straight 1/2 inch hardwood stick to rounded tips.
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4
Select a good, dry tinder that will catch quickly when the ember you produce is placed in it. Prepare dry grass, leaves or small sticks, larger branches and logs to feed the fire as it starts to burn.
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Wrap the bow string one full turn around the center of the hardwood stick and hold it in place. Place one end of the stick in the depression in the bearing branch. Place one foot or knee on the end of the softwood branch. Place the other end of the stick in the depression in the softwood branch.
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Grip the bow in one hand and the bearing branch in the other so that the stick is held between the bearing branch and the softwood branch. Use enough pressure to hold the stick in place while still allowing the bow to turn the stick.
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Work the bow back and forth to spin the stick in place. Continue to work the bow to build friction between the hardwood stick and the softwood branch. Observe the base of the stick for a buildup of ash and smoke. Continue this process until you notice an ember forming.
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8
Quickly remove the bow, stick and bearing branch when you see an ember. Carefully pick up the softwood branch and tip the ember into the tinder.
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9
Cup your hands around the tinder. Blow gently on the ember to encourage the tinder to begin burning. Avoid blowing too hard and extinguishing the tinder or ember. As the tinder catches, blow harder to provide more oxygen. Once the tinder is burning, place it on the ground and feed it dry grass, leaves or sticks until the fire begins to burn well. Place smaller branches and finally logs the fire is established.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
