i have been practising my bow drill technique. did manage a fire when i did it in doors to much wind around today kept blowing all the dust away which was a bit of a bugger to say the least......well the problem is this when ever i get to the final stretch loads of smoke and time to ramp it up a bit my bow keeps slipping or at least the cord does it does not matter what cord i have used bog standard nylon or 550 para chord it is always the same time to put my all in and the thing starts to slip any advice please.

There is a technique whereby instead of fastening the cord to both ends of the bow, you only tie it at one end. Then wrap the cord TWICE round the drill and then hold both the cord and end of the bow in the hand. You can pull on the cord to give tension. The double wrap provides more friction such that it doesn't slip. Also as the drill is not under as much tension using this method, the drill doesn't tend to ping across the room!

The best way to get the bowdrill is to have some one show you. Where do you live? I live in High Wycombe in the Chilterns and would be more than happy to help you out. Or if you are going to the Wilderness Gathering maybe we could meet up there? I have been doing this fire lighting technique a few years now and have helped a fair few people get it

i am going to try bardsters technique, i was show how to use bowdrill on the woodlore course i was on all worked well then just at home. i live in mid kewnt as it happens not from from huw i beleive

Not far from me either then, We could always meet up for a bit of a go