Bow Drilling???

**The Phoenix** · 03-31-2009, 23:35

Would it be a total waste of time and space to take out a decent set to use on the trail?? Just looking for opinions? Anyone ever done it on the trail... good experience... pointless?? Lemme know

Thank you

The Phoenix

**Wise Old Owl** · 03-31-2009, 23:46

Uhhh Why? Study the skill, burn something worthwhile-in the backyard.

Take a micro bic with you on the trail.

I am not kidding or going to put a happy face on this one - just learn the skill - you don't take the stuff with you.

**Lugnut** · 03-31-2009, 23:58

Might be a handy skill to have. Couldn't hurt to practice. If you ever need the skill you could probably find what you need in what you are carrying. Do they make special sets? If you are going to the trouble of carrying extra stuff then just carry a couple extra lighters. They probably weigh less anyway/

**zoidfu** · 04-01-2009, 00:15

Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

Uhhh Why? Study the skill, burn something worthwhile-in the backyard.

Take a micro bic with you on the trail.

I am not kidding or going to put a happy face on this one - just learn the skill - you don't take the stuff with you.

Don't take it with you? Then why even bother to learn? Trails are exactly the place for that.

I'm not saying don't take a backup, but if it's something he wants to do and get good at then what's the problem? He's carrying it.

In closing, take it with you. If anything, your backyard is the place for your bic.

**Mr. Parkay** · 04-01-2009, 01:05

I've never seen a bow drill on the trail... but it might be cool to have and experiment with. It's like an anti-luxury item!

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

Would it be a total waste of time and space to take out a decent set to use on the trail?? Just looking for opinions? Anyone ever done it on the trail... good experience... pointless?? Lemme know

Thank you

The Phoenix

**drastic_quench** · 04-01-2009, 01:13

Some of you likely know this, but one big key to starting a fire with a bow drill is having a notch cut in your board/plank right next to your drillhole. The notch collects the little sawdust your drilling creates and gets an ember going much more effectively.

**irrationalsolutions** · 04-01-2009, 01:39

i agree not to take it. learn the skill and take the cord with you if you want. half the skill is being able to find the stuff to do it. and yes the trail is the place for it.

**fiddlehead** · 04-01-2009, 06:23

Go for it. I learned at an ALDHA gathering and did it a few times to make sure i still could.
Helps give me confidence out there.
The more skills you can have, the better.

**Lone Wolf** · 04-01-2009, 07:09

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

Would it be a total waste of time and space to take out a decent set to use on the trail?? Just looking for opinions? Anyone ever done it on the trail... good experience... pointless?? Lemme know

Thank you

The Phoenix

pointless. Bic lighter is all you need.

**zoidfu** · 04-01-2009, 07:25

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

pointless. Bic lighter is all you need.

Or he could be working on his woodsmanshipcraft or whatever you want to call it as a hobby.

You can buy trout at the store but some people like to catch them.

**Lone Wolf** · 04-01-2009, 07:26

ain't to hard to catch stocked trout.

**zoidfu** · 04-01-2009, 07:34

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

ain't to hard to catch stocked trout.

It's hard to fight the crowd though

**Tipi Walter** · 04-01-2009, 07:49

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

pointless. Bic lighter is all you need.

Yeah, just take a Bic. Or if you're really macho, forego the bow drill and use the hand drill. Or how about skinning your own hides and brain-tanning leggings, moccasins, and a shirt? Three rabbit hide-furs and you'll have a fine winter hat. I like this idea: avoid hiking on the actual treadway of the AT and instead flank off it about 100 feet so you can do the 2000 miles in bushwacking mode. Tone up your backcountry-woodsmen chops. Eschew nylon and take a pack basket for gear(the one with the tumpline). There are so many opportunities to research the roots of backpacking, not just in firemaking.

**Lone Wolf** · 04-01-2009, 08:10

whatever. a bow drill ain't practical on the AT like a horse and buggy ain't on I 95. he asked a question, i answered it

**warraghiyagey** · 04-01-2009, 08:10

agreed. . .

**sheepdog** · 04-01-2009, 08:42

flint and steel is more fun.

**JaxHiker** · 04-01-2009, 09:10

I love how people seem inclined to knock others that want to learn new skills.

**sherrill** · 04-01-2009, 09:18

I've used one many times, but personally, if I was doing a long distance hike I wouldn't carry one. Most times at the end of the day I didn't feel like making a fire.

**Lone Wolf** · 04-01-2009, 09:20

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

I love how people seem inclined to knock others that want to learn new skills.

no where did he say he wanted to learn a skill

**Reid** · 04-01-2009, 09:45

It can't hurt to have that in your repertoire, we have been out of the stone age for quite some time now though.

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