Woods for a bow drill

[magwick]

As the title says, I need to know what wood to use for a fire starting bow drill.

[se7enthdevil]

after watching ray mears make his own years ago on tv he said that you need a hardwood that is already a bow shape. dead wood is ok to use.

 

i don't think that the species was a problem but finding a bit the right shape could be.

[Paul in the woods]

What woods do you have? There seems to be an almost endless list if you google but I think most woods can be used. I use sycamore for the heath and spindle successfully, many seem to suggest willow, alder and hazel and even ivy is used.

[magwick]

Thanks for that. The fact that there is endless stuff on Google is why I asked on .

[Vespasian]

I don't think it matters as much what wood you use , as the fact you want it dry....

 

Never tried it myself, but seen a ton of vids on Utube of folks doing it... I prefer a lighter myself?...

[TGB]

I hear using holly as the top-block, is a good thing. Nice and dense, so lasts a long time and doesn't heat up as much as some other woods.