I got my first solo hand drill coal! I used mullein on white pine. I used unoriginal methods to get it, but we got to start with baby steps don't we. I used a piece of sting with thumb loops to keep a downward pressure on the spindle and to keep from having to remove my hands. The spindle started to split, so I ended up taping below the string to keep it from splitting even more. After some drilling, I got the coal!
What I learned:
Without the string, I wasn't getting enough downward pressure.
With the string, I had to clasps my hands together harder to spin the spindle.
It is very tiring on your arms.
So far, the bow drill seems to be the easiest way for me to make a friction fire.
I didn't get a blister, so I must have done something right.
