'World Champion Fire Starter' Eagle Scout Dudley Winn Smith from Independence, Missouri held the record for starting a fire using a bow and drill. The 1937 book Games and Recreational Methods for Clubs, Camps and Scouts, C.F. Smith, records his winning method. I have tried this out and it works(!)
"When the starter said ‘Go’ I drew my bow back
and forth with long complete strokes. In about three seconds a little pile of
smoking black charcoal issued from the pit. Then I stopped rubbing, picked up
both the board and the tinder and blew directly onto the smoking pile,
which immediately turned into a red ember. In 71/5 seconds after I drew the
first stroke the tinder burst into flame. Luckily for me the three timers all
agreed. The suggestions below are given in hopes that they will help you make
fire rapidly. I worked a long time before I was able to produce a blaze in less
than a minute. Do not get discouraged if you fail at first; keep trying and you
are sure to succeed. "
The full instructions are in this PDF.
Related posts at Scoutmaster
The Fire Within
"...they watched with great interest as some of the boys tried to light a fire by friction using the ancient bow and drill."
Making fire with a Bow Drill at Wildwood Survival
Making fire with a bow drill is an obtainable skill for those who are
willing to devote themselves to a little study, finding the proper
materials and patient practice.
Making & Using a Fire-by-Friction Set
... the following tips should make it easier for you, especially if you believe you can build a fire by friction set.
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