This all started because I wanted to do something with match-less fires at an event at camp. I love fire building, and it's something I've always considered myself pretty good at, so this is the next step, I guess (plus I have a strong interest in survival skills)! There are some really cool techniques for starting a fire without matches, including flint/steel, lens fires, and steel wool/battery (some of which I have done successfully, and some of which I would still like to try). But friction methods definitely became a goal. After doing some research, I purchased some friction fire kits, because it is easiest to start learning with certain types of wood. Sotol wood is considered the best in North America and is a desert plant. I decided to get a fire plough, bow drill, and hand drill. The hand drill is more just for fun and will only be attempted if/when everything else is mastered.
Tonight was my first attempt with the fire plough, and though I gave it my best shot, the score is still 0. No fire for me tonight - not even smoke, in fact! I'm doing some more reading, and it looks like maybe others are bit more successful with the bow. Now that we finally have some nice weather, I can give another a try tomorrow! I hope to show you pictures of a blazing fire after my next attempt!
