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