How to start a fire using friction
  • 1. What is the most important initial element when starting a friction fire?
A) Fuelwood
B) Axe
C) Tinder
D) Kindling
  • 2. Which wood type is generally considered best for the spindle?
A) Green hardwood
B) Resinous wood
C) Rotting wood
D) Dry softwood
  • 3. What is the purpose of the hearth board?
A) To store tinder
B) To create friction and produce an ember
C) To sharpen the spindle
D) To protect the ground
  • 4. What action creates the friction needed for the hand drill method?
A) Blowing on the hearth board
B) Striking the spindle with a rock
C) Rubbing the spindle against the hearth board
D) Using a lighter
  • 5. What color should the dust be that's produced from friction when using a bow drill?
A) White
B) Green
C) Black
D) Brown
  • 6. What does the 'notch' do on the hearth board?
A) Ventilates the dust
B) Drains moisture
C) Collects the ember
D) Holds the spindle
  • 7. After creating an ember, what is the next step?
A) Extinguishing it
B) Transferring it to a tinder bundle
C) Adding kindling
D) Blowing directly on the ember
  • 8. What is a good characteristic of a successful tinder bundle?
A) Feathery and loosely packed
B) Made of large twigs
C) Covered in bark
D) Densely packed and damp
  • 9. What is the purpose of blowing on the tinder bundle?
A) To extinguish the ember
B) To provide oxygen to the ember
C) To clean the ember
D) To cool the ember
  • 10. What is the benefit of using a bow drill over a hand drill?
A) Works better in wet conditions
B) Lower skill requirement
C) Less equipment needed
D) Greater speed and easier sustained pressure
  • 11. What is the term for the small, glowing coal produced by friction?
A) Ember
B) Flash
C) Spark
D) Flame
  • 12. What can happen if the spindle is too thick?
A) It will be easier to control
B) It will be difficult to generate enough friction
C) It will last longer
D) It will create too much heat too quickly
  • 13. What is the ideal shape for the spindle's bottom end?
A) Completely blunt
B) Perfectly flat
C) Sharp and pointed
D) Slightly rounded
  • 14. Why is dry wood essential for friction fire starting?
A) Dry wood is heavier
B) Moisture absorbs heat, preventing ignition
C) Dry wood creates more smoke
D) Dry wood is easier to find
  • 15. What is a common mistake when using the bow drill method?
A) Not applying enough downward pressure
B) Using too much tinder
C) Applying too much downward pressure
D) Using too little tinder
  • 16. Which of these materials makes good tinder?
A) Mud
B) Green leaves
C) Shredded cedar bark
D) Wet grass
  • 17. What is the purpose of kindling?
A) To create the initial spark
B) To protect the tinder
C) To keep the fire burning all night
D) To help transition the ember to a larger flame
  • 18. What is the 'bearing block' used for in the bow drill method?
A) To protect the hearth board
B) To hold the tinder bundle
C) To apply downward pressure on the spindle while protecting the hand.
D) To sharpen the spindle
  • 19. What is the key to success after an ember forms?
A) Patience and gentle blowing
B) Pouring water on the ember
C) Rushing to add kindling
D) Leaving the ember unattended
  • 20. How should you carry the tinder bundle to protect the ember?
A) On the ground
B) On your head
C) Cupped in your hands
D) Dragged behind you
  • 21. What does 'feathering' tinder mean?
A) Painting the tinder with bird feathers
B) Protecting the tinder from birds
C) Singing a song to the tinder
D) Creating thin, curled shavings to catch a spark easily.
  • 22. What should you do if your spindle starts smoking but no ember forms?
A) Sharpen the spindle
B) Give up and try another method
C) Add water
D) Apply more pressure and increase speed.
  • 23. What safety precaution is crucial when starting a friction fire?
A) Start the fire in a windy area
B) Use gasoline to help start the fire
C) Wear flammable clothing
D) Clear a wide area around the fire site.
  • 24. Why is proper body positioning important when using a bow drill?
A) To stay warm
B) To maintain consistent pressure and avoid fatigue
C) To look professional
D) To attract attention
  • 25. What is the ideal diameter of the depression in the hearth board?
A) Slightly wider than the spindle
B) Much wider than the spindle
C) The same size as the spindle
D) Smaller than the spindle
  • 26. After the tinder bundle ignites, what is the next step?
A) Ignoring it
B) Gently placing it into kindling
C) Throwing it into the air
D) Dousing it with water
  • 27. What is a natural resource that can be used as a hand hold when creating a friction fire?
A) A smooth, dense rock.
B) A piece of soft bark.
C) A puddle of water.
D) A pile of dry leaves.
  • 28. What part of the bow is crucial to maintaining an efficient process?
A) The tightness of the bow string.
B) The color of the bow.
C) The weight of the bow.
D) The length of the bow.
  • 29. How long should you work the bow drill to get an ember?
A) Until your arms get tired.
B) Continuously, until sufficient smoke and dust are created.
C) For exactly 2 minutes.
D) Only in the morning.
  • 30. What is a potential indicator of a good piece of tinder?
A) It is easily shredded.
B) It smells strongly of pine.
C) It is hard as rock.
D) It is heavy and damp.
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