From the top: Friction drill
Handheld drill bits: Elder, Hazel, Bulrush.
Bow drill bits: Pine, Willow, Hazel.
Chestnut footboards.
The rock on the right is a piece of slate and used as a drill bit handle, together with the bow drill, and to apply downwards pressure on the footboard. On the left you can see the steel, flint and kindling.

The result when chafing two pieces of wood like this is friction. From this friction emerges fine sawdust from the wood, which is being worked. This sawdust should be gathered in one spot. This is why we cut a groove in the side of the footboard where the sawdust can be gathered. The dust will start smouldering, which is the first step towards lighting the fire.

Here we have small embers that I have collected in a ball of shredded juniper bark. This “ball” of kindling is the beginning of a fire. You need extra oxygen to make flames. The trick is to make the bark ignite from the embers in the sawdust.

Put it this way, this sure is no time for a coffee break. You now need to blow on the embers to make a flame. It is a good idea to be sitting down as you breathe life into the fire; you easily get light in the head from all the blowing. I use a piece of birch bark to wrap the kindling in.

You should blow in one end, so as to direct the jet of air. The bark cylinder also prevents sparks flying all around.

Trust me, it’s the last thing you need in your eyes at this critical point in time, before you know if you have a fire going or not.

Ok, now it’ll be good with a cuppa. Time to put the kettle on.