Two-Stick Keyhole Hearth: Another Friction Fire Option
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 03. 2018
- Like most friction fire methods, the two-stick hearth is a very old idea. The traditional benefit of the design is that is allows you to use sticks for your hearth that may not be wide enough to accommodate an appropriate sized spindle.
In the classic design, the two sticks are lashed together and the notch is created by the point where the two curved sides of the stick meet. I have had a lot of trouble with this technique and have failed with it more often than I've been successful. It may be a great method in drier climates, but I have found that tweaking the design slightly works better in my wet environment.
The biggest change that I have found helpful is to flatten one side of each stick so that they sit flush with each other. This negates the benefit of the "free notch" you get with the classic design, but is much more stable and the sticks are less prone to sliding back and forth as the drill changes direction.
Unfortunately, I was out of frame when I flattened the sides of the two sticks so that footage is missing, but you can see the basic shape and how they fit together by looking at the hearth when I'm wrapping it.
Rather than hoping for an ember in the crack, I have been approaching this with the keyhole or two-hole method popularized by Lonnie of Far North Bushcraft and Survival and his friend @AK Trapper on Bushcraft USA.
With this approach, the divots are made right next to each other, so that the dust collects in the adjacent hole. This can be accomplished by intersecting the divots, or carving a trench between them.
AK Trapper made an excellent observation that this two-hole method seems to work best when the collection divot is ventilated and the fact that the ember formed once there were were a total of three divots is probably at least partially due to this airflow.
So why bother with two sticks in an environment full of suitable sized trees? I think this has a specific application for a particular set of circumstances. While large pieces of wood remain dry longer during wet weather, they also take longer to dry out during periods with less precipitation. Small sticks get wet quickly in the rain, but in an environment where everything is wet, they can dry out to a suitable condition with a few days of sun and a nice breeze.
This approach lets you use a dry and easy to harvest resource in wet places, when the conditions are favorable, but larger pieces of wood may still be damp.
The sticks used for the set and tinder bundle were big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). The withies used to bind the sticks and tinder bundle were split branches from a western red cedar (Thuja plicata). The lichen use was Methusela's Beard (Dolichousnea longissima), which is relatively flammable, but in this case it was used to keep the curls and shavings packed together in a bundle with some cedar sticks for a handle.
The knife is an Ontario RAT 1.
The music is the theme from the Last of the Mohicans, performed on guitar by Luca Strangoli.
Thanks for sharing. Very relaxing watching the craft with the background music.
Thanks for watching Steve! 🙂
Once again you have demonstrated that there is more then one way of doing friction fire. Learning the many methods and the pros and cons of each will certainly help perfect the craft. I always enjoy watching these videos of yours and really am amazed at the beauty of the country you are in. Challenging country for friction fire to be sure and yet you find a way. Keep them coming Brian, your channel will be the go to channel for those wanting to learn the skill. Charlie
Thanks Charlie! 🙂
Your fireboard design is different than the one I use, but nice jobs .
my style I get 2 coals one on either side about 50 percent of the time. What’s your fireboard
material and drill
material!?
Thanks!
I don't know what's more impressive, the friction fire or the tinder bundles you put together! Great video!
Thanks buddy! 🙂
You Sir...Are the best there is today and for years to come.
Thank you for all your instructive and pedagogical videos! 👍🏽
125 thumbs up and 1 thumbs down you see its that newbie that accidentally hits the thumbs down and doesn't know how to change it. I'm sure he is still a nice guy !
😆
This is a really helpful idea, for when its difficult to find/access an ideal piece for the hearth, or where there's some easy to access soft wood just staring at you!
Thanks Doc!
Another fascinating video. It looks so simple and yet there's so much background knowledge involved. A few people over here pretend to themselves they are somewhere wild but are never more than a stones throw from a house or road. You can't carry knives either or cut branches from trees etc. I guess the drive to learn these skills finds a way even in modern life.
Thanks David. Sorry to hear about all of the red tape. That definitely adds another level of complexity to learning this stuff.
Thank you so much - always very inspiring! 👍
Amazing how tight the two sticks stayed together with your binding technique!
Thanks Thomas! Those cedar withies really grip tight if you wrap them right.
Thanks for your answer - btw, your write up is extraordinarily informative and helpful! 👏
Going to try this next time in the woods, thanks for sharing. Ontario Rat folder, nice tool.
Did you get a chance to try it? 🙂
As always, very impressive level of skill! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sprague!
Hi NW this video is awsome, your fire making skills are amazing very beautiful video, soundtrack and location. Good job always looking forward for your next video.
Thanks Marvin! 🙂
Thank you very much for the excellent video!
Donna
Thanks for watching Donna! 🙂
Very good. I can see where that would work great in the desert where stick size is usually minimal.
Thanks RBLBO! I could be wrong, but I think that's where the innovation originated.
Great job my friend. I've never tried a keyhole with 2 sticks bound together before. I did it on just a single hearth board before. I'll have to try this one, thanks for sharing, take care.
Don't you just love how there are a seemingly infinite number of possibilities with this stuff? 🙂
So ya gotta burn out a hole all the way thru to give the dust and ember a place to gather, then
do a hole right next to that? Wow... I really like this concept. Gonna give it a try for sure. TFS
Thanks TSP! Lonnie at Far North Bushcraft and Survival has a good video on the two-hole or keyhole method if you're interested. There is also a great post over on Bushcraft USA by his buddy AK Trapper.... bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/alternative-friction-fire-methods.212725
Again another great demonstration my friend, like the two hole method or keyhole as you call it, did it in one of my older videos directly it to a tinder fungus with the bow drill, thanks for sharing! Take care, Taro
Thanks Taro! If I remember correctly, I think that was the first video of yours that I ever saw, and how I became aware of your channel. 🙂 I haven't started playing with fungi for friction fire yet, but I am looking forward to experimenting with it and learning more.
So cool:-) looking forward to learn more from each other!
EGO
What do you mean by that RP?
Taromovies Swiss Bushcraft & Survival Taro movies this guy is schooling ALL of us older dudes . He's good ain't he ?
You should be nominated for the youtube primitive fire award !
😆
Well done, that sunshine sure feels good. Back to the liquid variety tomorrow.
It has been surprisingly dry, so I'm guessing that once the rains show up, we're going to see an explosion of spring growth.
🙂
Wow, your better than a bic lighter, and a gallon of gas. Very slick.
😆
Awesome as always!
Thanks Keith! 🙂
inspiring my friend, i will add the key hole method to my list . great job.
billy joe
Thanks Billy!
*WOW* that's exactly why i *like* your channel! Legends say he invented the *FIRE* Well edited video 👍😀👊
Thanks MrSharp! 🙂
It's great to see this video in recommended videos after all this time . After watching for maybe 10 times , it's still very much admired . All the best and hope Lupo is doing great .
4 days of freezing rain and WIND at my place in western AK . Moose , polar bear , grizzly , lion and elk populations are doing great after 5 decent years . "Global warming" ?
ATB
Thanks Lefty! I'm so glad to hear you're in such an amazing place and that's it's thriving. I hope you are too. :)
Thanks back at you and I'm back in NM for an incredibly mild late fall . Hope the weather there is perfect and hope Lupo is doing great .
ATB
Well done sir!
Thanks Ty!
great idea!
I've just recently come across your videos and have watched several. I must say, more than a little impressive. But, for those of us that struggle at friction fire, please stop making it look so easy.
😅 Here's a playlist of videos that might make you feel a little better. czcams.com/video/XtlokTxCqpc/video.html
I watched this a quite a few times. Through some trial and error during my first attempt I noticed if I had some separation between each piece it had enough air to do its it's job on the second hole. I just wasn't ready to commit to a video because I had no idea what I was doing, lol.
Learning it's always in the little details. Your technique seems perfect. Deffinetly think here in the North East this version is a viable option that's easily over looked.
Thanks for a great video.
Well done Gary! 👍 When I have done this the conventional way (without flattening the faces) I have found it helpful to put a couple of shims between them, to both create a gap and keep things tight.
Good stuff! Awesome music too, BTW.
Thanks Rob!
I bet that one took a bit of patience. I've heard of this technique of fire board for hand drill. Deffinetly a must try. Cool stuff!
Thanks Gary. Let me know it goes for you.
Very interesting techniques, I will try it next time. Although your video skills are very good, I enjoyed this little clip very well. Thanks
Thanks Flying Dutchman! Keep me posted on how it works for you.
That will take some time. Actually here is a few degrees minus and snow.
So I guess you stood up for this one using a long spindle? Another nice one and good video technique.
Thanks Grant. I was in the classic bow drill position on the ground. You can see a brief shot of the position at around 2:33. I prefer a longer spindle for a few reasons; one of which being that I can sit up a little taller and brace the bearing block closer to my knee. Everything is a trade-off though, and longer spindle are tougher to get straight and can be more prone to wobble.
Love this stuff, it's like silly addictive 👍
You're telling me! 😆
Thank you
Thanks for watching buddy!
You know how at some gas station or surplus stores they some times have a little bin or tray of little pocket knives for like a buck or two. Do you mind if I ask if you'd show a fire made with a dollar knife to see how it might actually go?
Good video and skills btw.
Thanks KainusGulch. 🙂 The one dollar knife challenge sounds like a fun one to me. I know exactly the little knives you're talking about, so I'll keep my eye out for one. Should I sharpen it or leave it as it comes from the store?
Your choice. If you sharp it we might want to see the stone or tool used so we know there's a difference.
You are inspiring.
Thanks Qarlo! 🙂
Very cool concept. Thanks.
I didn't get it until I read your write up.
I like the outside of the box thinking. It gives me more "tools" to use if needed.
Then again, Scr*w it, I'm bringing 2 road flares!
Thanks MutsPub! Some videos don't need much explanation, but I figured it was worth sharing some thoughts alongside this one.
Great video, my first thought was in windy conditions it would protect the dust which forms the coal from being blown away.
Thanks R&R! That's a good point that I hadn't considered.
Thanks for sharing, great video!
Atb
Jenn😁
Thanks Jenn! 🙂
I start fires by thinking about lawyers until smoke comes out of my ears and then knock the coals into a tinder nest.
Thanks. Great video. I wonder how men figured this out for the first time. There must have been some very smart cave people.
Pretty impressive NWP good video
Thanks LT! 🙂
Nice!
Love it 🖒🔥
🙂
Good one ! I have tried only once this and failed. Have to try again. Koiva praises you too 👍
Thanks Alvar & Koiva! 🙂
Might be a handy skill when only small sticks/limited tools are available. Take care.
Thanks buddy. I think that's the original idea behind it, but I put some thoughts in the description on another benefit in certain conditions if you're interested.
Question, do u use the same type wood for hearth and spindle? Is it preferable to use softer woods, I live NE TN lots of hardwoods thinking of trying this with poplar ? Comments, another great vid !
Hi David! I almost always use the same piece of wood for both components. Softer woods are generally easier to use, but finding materials that are dry is even more important. I haven't used poplar myself, but I have used trees in the same family and they are some of the best; so I think that should be a great choice for you.
오~불 피우는 모습 잘보고 갑니다..ㅎㅎ굿
Good music on your video.
🙂👍
Hey so I noticed in one of your videos you had what looked like a Bark River Golok. That's a great blade but I would recommend a Grizzly too if you get the chance. I even managed a bow drill divot in mine. Not that one is needed. But yeah, I think you'd really enjoy one.
I've never tried any Bark River knives, but they sure look nice. You might be thinking of the fishing rod bow drill video. If so, that was a custom knife that a maker sent me to try out and give feedback on.
Nice video. Is it always so much work to get the ember with this method ? you had to basically burn through three holes to get the ember or is it just in this case because of your environment? And a great description, you explained a lot of questions I had.
-Matej
This method is sometimes called the two-hole method because you can make it work with two, but it often takes three for me. This can be partly explained by moisture being driven out of the set, but it probably has to do with airflow to the ember as well. With the two stick hearth in dry conditions, you can sometimes get an ember to form between the two sticks on the first divot, but I've only had that happen a couple of times.
Thanks a lot. I don't have much experience with this method, I only tried it once or twice but I remember the problem being that two sticks didn't stay together and would roll and move. Maybe I need to try this tip you gave and cut down the sides so the stick lie more nice together.
-Matej
A little more ware than a regular bow drill but still works, nice!
👍
@@nwprimate6416 What Wood is that and Do you have to split the twigs for your fire board, would you be able to put two small sticks together w/o splitting them or would it just burn through to fast?
Nevermind, I kinda answered my own question. Thanks for showing this technique.
Is this not just more hassle that a regular bow drill?
👍👍👍
Nicely done mate! But quite a lot of work 😂
Thanks FB. It actually wasn't too bad. Getting the withies only takes a moment, and it's nice not having to split or carve out a flat hearth or shape the spindle into a cylinder, so there are some time savings there. Drilling a couple of holes isn't too bad either if you go nice and easy. The classic hearth and v-notch is still my favorite method, but this is good to know; especially if you're working with a folding knife.
I guess I have to watch things several times before I get it . First of all I just now noticed that you do things left and right handed. I think you are primarily left handed tho . When your spindle started to wobble you let it wobble a certain amount until you could cant the spindle to one side and make it hold in place at a certain speed until your hole was formed enough to skip over and start another hole that partially usurped the first hole and then switched back and forth with the two holes until you got your coal. I see this video isn't new and I don't know how I missed it. Your silent videos seem to be a much greater teaching tool for me , but I do have to watch them several times before I get it because I'm a slow learner !
Thanks Gary. I am honored and really glad that you're taking the time to notice these little details. At some point I will try to find a good way to highlight things like this, but it is great to hear that the lessons are still getting through in this format.
@@nwprimate6416 I believe that your close shots with a second or two pause is like you're figuring out these problems on the fly . I think this is excellent teaching and it makes me go back and notice where you have these slight pauses. Then I think that there must be something here he wants me to learn. Then I do trial and error until I can mimic your technique.
Canada eh?
No, but right across the border in Washington
🔥🐠🐟🍛🍗☕👍👍
What's the advantage?
This looks like a way to make more work for yourself with no added benefit.
I can totally see how you missed it, but I shared some thoughts in the description of the video if you're interested. If not, then I probably just did it for attention and good job calling me out.
I think you could make fire by rubbing two ice cubes together
😆
yep-hit it out of the park again....
🙂
🤔
:)
Split board Heath, papuans do this. The difference is that they use rattan thong.