Bamboo Fire Saw | The Woodsman Hut | Forums

DangerDuke said
I've gotten one to smolder, didnt put the ember into a tinder bundle and get actual fire though. It's pretty hard and takes a long time. When I did it I had my buddy help by holding the one end for me so I kinda cheated. In contrast though I've never gotten a bow drill to work, even with the shot glass cup assist.

I have gotten the bow drill to work for me.  I started by buying one off of ebay.  My logic was I wanted to have a good set so I could practice technique.  I didn't want to make one from scratch, and have it not work and not know what the issue was.  Was it materials or technique??  Then I started subbing pieces out til I had my own set.  I can't say I've done it in the wild, but I have done it.  I was amazed at how hard it is/was to get the ember to actually start a fire.  I always though getting the ember was the hard part (which it is) but getting the tinder bundle to ignite is almost equally hard.

I'll have to give the bamboo fire saw a try this spring.

KVR said
That's not a bad idea.

It's just when you make your own, there are so many variables and if it doesn't work, you won't know why.  Unfortunately, the guy I got mine from is no longer selling them.  It was a really nice set too.  I think I only paid 25 or 30 for it.  Came with bow drill, bearing stone, spindle, two fire boards, piece of leather for catching the ember, bees wax for lubing the spindle, some char cloth, tinder fungus, twine and a small metal box for the leather and small stuff.  Great quality on the bow too.  Definitely a bargain.