Fire by Friction

'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.

Comments

[Martin Carlson]

My uncle Henry Carlson was a possible world champ at this, too. Although he didn't start his fire in 7 1/5 seconds, neither did he get to start with the bow and stake already together. (He worked for weyerhauser at the time and I think that's where he competed or was timed.)

[Bill in Okinawa]

7.5 seconds!!! Wow, I thought I was cool about an hour ago when I produced a coal in 30 seconds! Mr. Smith must have had the perfect components for the bow and drill fire to make flames so fast!

[Bill in Okinawa]

Whoops, misread his time. Not 7 and 1/2 seconds as I thought, 7 and 1/5th seconds--faster than I originally thought!

[A. Frick]

I came close to starting a fire sooner than 7 seconds. I stopped when co-workers in the building were smelling smoke. I guess I should try one of these out inside an office building. I was surprised how easy it was until I went and made my own instead of borrowing. I'm still trying.

[Greg]

Everyone says that the spindle must have a point on the upper end; however, the only types of wood with which I can produce a coal are those with a pithy center. You cannot sharpen this type of wood because the pith will not hold a point. I fasten a length of horseweed or something simillat onto my hardwood spindle and it works quite well. This is a lot of trouble. Any suggestions?