Coon4492
Registered: 06/15/09
Posts: 37
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #1 |
can I make an entire bowdrill set using animal bone as the fireboard, spindle and bearing block? (the bow would be wood and natural cordage)
__________________
"Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."
- Benjamin Franklin |
| Loading... | | |
dixieangler
Registered: 06/11/09
Posts: 72
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #2 |
Quote: Originally Posted by "Coon4492"
can I make an entire bowdrill set using animal bone as the fireboard, spindle and bearing block? (the bow would be wood and natural cordage)
I would be interested to see what John has to say about this. I have not tried it but it seems to me that the thumbnail test is still valid maybe depending on the type of bone. If the inner rough textured part of the bone can be etched with a thumbnail and its dry enough, I don't see why it would not work. If the material the bone is made out of will work. Big IFs or conditions. LOL Bone is composed of a collagen-rich organic matrix impregnated with calcium, phosphate, and other minerals. Whether or not it will produce dark or black dust and can form a coal from friction is another matter. But maybe a hard kneecap (with the hard outer part or enamel of the bone) or something similar for the bearing block. If those above conditions are not met, then I doubt it would work.
__________________
Robert M. |
| Loading... | | |
prariewolf
Moderator
Registered: 11/28/06
Posts: 105
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #3 |
In some part of my memory I believe that I've heard this spoken of somewhere in our travels tho I have not heard of it actually having been done. It would appear to me that bone on bone would not work- I have not personally tried it.
• What effect would the marrow have - would the fats be infused even in older dry bone? This could have a bearing on friction created.
• Heat - Oxygen - Fuel. Oxygen would of course be present as would heat but would the bone dust created (fuel) catch/make a “coal” by whatever maximum temperature that could be achieved by bow drill friction?
I have convinced myself (tho not proven or even attempted) that fire could be created with bow drill using a wooden drill on the right - just right - piece of rock. At one time I was to have several of the top fire makers here to help me with a class (SF) that fell thru and I spoke of trying this. My thinking is the “right” rock would be coarse enough to create just the right friction to turn the drill into black dust at high enough temp for ignition but not so “sandy” as to add grit from itself to the wood dust. The just right rock would have a notch or ledge for the dust to accumulate. I have just not pursued this.
I would have more faith in the wood/rock than the bone/bone.
Time for you guys (& gals) to string up the bows & make a new chapter.
ps; Hell Coon, Cut the wood bow into hearth & drill and use bone (rib) for the bow. smile!
__________________
Prairiewolf.net |
| Loading... | | |
Coon4492
Registered: 06/15/09
Posts: 37
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #4 |
Well lets give it a shot I gotta scrounge up some deer bones I have a few in my barn somewhere. I'll let you know what happens
__________________
"Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."
- Benjamin Franklin |
| Loading... | | |
dixieangler
Registered: 06/11/09
Posts: 72
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #5 |
Yeah. Marrow and fat still present in old dry bones could cause problems. I did not know whether or not the bone material would work. Speaking of the firebow, have you gotten a coal yet with a "wood" firebow set, Joe? I could be wrong but I doubt bone or most other materials will be any easier.
__________________
Robert M. |
| Loading... | | |
Coon4492
Registered: 06/15/09
Posts: 37
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #6 |
I got black dust that was smoldering but I forgot to make a tinder bundle. I also screwed up the hole you burned in for me on that fire bow set. Its all polished now. I gotta burn in a new hole and try again. I've been trying to do this since I was 13 and everytime I get close something goes wrong . Oh well no one said these skills are easy it takes time and practice like an instrument. The day I make a campfire using a bowdrill is going to be a very rewarding acheivment for me.
__________________
"Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."
- Benjamin Franklin |
| Loading... | | |
dixieangler
Registered: 06/11/09
Posts: 72
|
|
| |
Reply with quote | #7 |
Yep. That first coal you get and blow into flame will be one of those awesome and rewarding moments you will never forget. It took me a year of continually working the firebow at least once a week (sometimes more) before I got my first coal. I burned the hole down all the way to the bottom of the Willow board on that one just to make sure I actually had a coal. Its not easy and I don't get a coal every time I work the firebow even now. If I concentrate on working the firebow set correctly, then the coal will follow. If I only think about getting a coal, then I won't because I am not concentrating on working the firebow set with constant pressure on the board through the spindle and full strokes on the firebow to maintain friction. Pressure is more important than speed. As long as I work the firebow with constant long full strokes (not really fast at all) just to get friction while keeping pressure on the board, then I usually get a coal unless something else is going on (wrong form or technique or cord problems or damp wood, etc.) that's not right. Like John said in the Fire & Cordage DVD, if everything goes right then you don't learn anything from it.
__________________
Robert M. |
| Loading... | | |
