How to start a fire using a bow drill (friction fire)
  • 1. What is the primary principle behind starting a fire with a bow drill?
A) Using a magnifying glass
B) Friction creating heat
C) Focusing sunlight
D) Chemical reaction
  • 2. Which type of wood is generally preferred for the spindle?
A) Softwood
B) Petrified wood
C) Hardwood
D) Green wood
  • 3. What is the purpose of the handhold?
A) Protecting the bow
B) Applying downward pressure to the spindle
C) Holding the tinder
D) Guiding the bow
  • 4. What is the ideal shape for the bow?
A) Circular
B) Perfectly straight
C) Slightly curved
D) Sharply angled
  • 5. What is the purpose of the notch in the fireboard?
A) To lubricate the spindle
B) To collect the ember
C) To hold the spindle in place
D) To improve airflow
  • 6. What is char cloth typically made of?
A) Plastic
B) Cotton
C) Wool
D) Silk
  • 7. What material is typically used for the bow string?
A) Paracord
B) Wire
C) Elastic
D) Chain
  • 8. Why is proper posture important when using a bow drill?
A) Reduces noise
B) Looks more professional
C) Impresses onlookers
D) Conserves energy
  • 9. What is the best technique for blowing the ember into flame?
A) Holding your breath
B) Gentle, steady breaths
C) Using a bellows
D) Hard, forceful breaths
  • 10. What should you do if smoke starts to appear, but no ember forms?
A) Add more tinder
B) Lubricate the spindle
C) Stop immediately and start over
D) Continue drilling, increasing pressure
  • 11. What is the purpose of lubrication (such as pine resin) on the spindle?
A) Increase friction at the fireboard
B) Waterproof the spindle
C) Reduce friction at the handhold
D) Strengthen the spindle
  • 12. What should the diameter of the spindle be, roughly?
A) Baseball bat-sized
B) Hair-sized
C) Tree trunk-sized
D) Pencil-sized
  • 13. What is the ideal consistency for the tinder bundle?
A) Oily and greasy
B) Solid and hard
C) Fluffy and dry
D) Dense and wet
  • 14. What is the 'socket' of the handhold typically made of?
A) Metal
B) Plastic
C) Soft material like cloth
D) Hard material like stone or bone
  • 15. Why is it important to 'season' your bow drill set?
A) To add flavor to the wood
B) To make it waterproof
C) To prevent insects
D) To allow the wood to dry and harden
  • 16. Which of these is the LEAST suitable wood for a fireboard?
A) Oak
B) Cottonwood
C) Aspen
D) Cedar
  • 17. What does 'tinder' refer to?
A) The spindle
B) The bow string
C) The fireboard
D) Easily combustible material
  • 18. What is the first step after creating an ember?
A) Throwing the ember directly into the campfire
B) Blowing on the spindle
C) Adding more fuel to the fireboard
D) Transferring it to the tinder bundle
  • 19. How do you know when the ember is ready to be transferred?
A) It's cold to the touch
B) It disappears
C) It glows brightly and produces smoke
D) It's completely black
  • 20. What should you do to prepare the spindle before using it?
A) Cover it in glue
B) Soak it in water
C) Ensure it's smooth and rounded
D) Sharpen it to a point
  • 21. What is the 'bearing block' also known as?
A) Handhold
B) Fireboard
C) Spindle
D) Bow
  • 22. What part of the process requires the most patience?
A) Lighting the tinder bundle
B) Developing the ember
C) Making the tools
D) Finding the right wood
  • 23. Why should you practice fire making with a bow drill?
A) To develop muscle memory and technique
B) To waste time
C) Because it's easy
D) To show off your skills
  • 24. What is the correct order of materials to make a fire?
A) Kindling, fuel wood, ember, tinder
B) Fuel wood, kindling, tinder, ember
C) Ember, tinder, kindling, fuel wood
D) Tinder, fuel wood, kindling, ember
  • 25. What is 'feathering'?
A) Smoothing the spindle
B) Protecting the tinder from the wind
C) Attaching feathers to the bow
D) Creating thin shavings of wood for kindling
  • 26. What size kindling should be added to the tinder?
A) Small, dry twigs
B) Large logs
C) Wet branches
D) Green leaves
  • 27. What is the primary danger of bow drill fire starting?
A) Friction burns
B) Drowning
C) Animal attacks
D) Explosions
  • 28. Why should you use dry wood?
A) It's easier to find
B) It ignites easier
C) It's heavier
D) It's prettier
  • 29. What direction should you face when building a fire?
A) Into the wind
B) It doesn't matter
C) Away from the wind
D) Perpendicular to the wind
  • 30. Why is it important to have a flat surface when using the bow drill?
A) Looks more professional
B) Helps to keep insects away
C) Provides stability
D) Reduces noise
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