Primitive fire starting

[Bowpredator]

Well, I have never done it but I am getting the urge to figure it out.  I've been doing a lot of reading on the net about methods and which types of woods work best for which parts.  One thing I find strange is all the primitive fire starting kits out there they want to sell you.  What's the point in that?  If I am gonna have the foresight to take the purchased fire starting kit with me, then I'll just take a lighter and some matches instead.  I want to learn how to do it with materials I will have to work with in the wild if I am caught unprepared out there.  I've decided that the fire drill is my best one to learn since I almost always wear cowboy boots so if I am caught out there without any matches or lighters, then that means I probably dont have my emergency kit with me and thus, no string or even a boot lace to make a bow.  There are some materials that I have in good quantity in my area that I could not find any information on whether they would be a good board or drill or either so if any of you know or have any experience with the following materials, please let me know.  Thanks!

dogwood, hickory, sumac, sycamore, sassafras

[Turtle]

BowPredator - A bow drill in my experience is very, very hard to do.  The problem is out in the woods, try finding a straight piece of wood for your drill.  Then after that, getting a flat piece of wood for your base is difficult too.  I really admire the outdoorsmen that can do this because I sure can't and I've tried and tried, read and studied, and tried again with no luck.  The goal is to get an amber and that's really tough to do. 

I haven't practiced it since this past summer but was just practicing at home and gave up for awhile.  The experts I talked to said it's one of those things where you just need to keep trying and you'll eventually get it and then once you experience it, it gets easier.

-turtle-

[Alice Cooper]

yes, you just need to keep after it.you get the straightest spindle you can find, then if needed whittle it straighter.the hardest part for me is finding that perfect rock for the hand-socket.not hard to find on a sandbar tho, and a mussel shell usually has a spot inside that makes a great bearing point.the fireboard doesn't have to be perfectly flat,just split a section of dead limb about 2 inches across and leave the round part round, if you want, just sink it into the ground for stability.don't give up!when that ember eludes you, stop and sit back and figure out why...

[Hagen]

When I first learned to start a fire using a bow drill and a fire board, I was surprised at how really easy it was to do. Those who have problems seem to be trying too hard. Go slow at first and keep the spindle as vertical as possible. If possible, make your fire board big enough that you can kneel on one end or hold it secure with your foot. Don't forget to carve the notch to collect the ember, otherwise you will just push the beginning ember out of the way as it forms.

[Anduril]

If you are near a river and can find a dead cottonwood stump in a logjam the root wood makes a first rate fire board and drill.
Willow is said to work good too, but I haven't tried it.

Of the choices you gave, sumac has the softest wood so it might work the best.
Basswood (linden) is pretty soft, it might be OK.

Good luck & keep trying.
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