The simplest friction fire kit consists of two pieces: the spindle (drill) and the fireboard (hearth). Accessories can make the set easier to operate, but may be difficult to produce under survival conditions.
A two-piece fire kit.
Two piece fire kit with accessories: Drill extender, cedar bark tinder, birch bark "match."
Glowing ember forms as hot dust from the spinning drill fills the notch.
Adjusting the notch contours with a flint flake.
Beginning to spin. The cedar tinder is under the fireboard.
Hot dust overflowing the notch, creating smoke.
The ember in the tinder.
Breathing the ember to life, and...
...Fire!
Bow drill fire kit - 5 pieces! Dependable, but more difficult and time-consuming to make.
A two-piece fire kit.
