Clay And Shell Bearing Block For Bow And Spindle Fire Method

Ken — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:41:37 +0000

Bearing blocks or “sockets” are a necessary element of the bow and spindle fire method. Over the years I’ve used a variety of items (see Bow And Spindle Bearing Blocks). The desirable qualities of a bearing block is that it is durable, easy to hold, and doesn’t transfer heat to your hand. Although I have used man-made materials for this purpose I wanted to explore making one out of natural materials.

I decided to use a clam shell because of it’s concave shape and hard surface but I felt that it needed support because of it’s thin wall so I went down to the creek to find some clay material to surround it. After kneading the clay I applied about a half inch layer across the backside and along it’s sides so that the finished product looked like I had pressed the shell into a ball of clay.

I let it dry for a week and the results were great! I noticed that the clay had receded slightly around the outside edge of the shell but remained whole without cracks. I applied the new bearing block to the test and it worked wonderfully. After a successful coal was formed I examined the bearing block and noticed a discoloration at the pivot point which is to be expected and some small fractures, so it will be interesting to see the length of service that it will give me. I also noticed that the exposed edge chipped down slightly to the top surface of the surrounding clay leaving a flush clean edge. It was easy to handle and feel that it was a great success.

This bearing block is simple to make and would make a nice addition to your collection of firecraft tools.

“Mud Spuds” – Clay Baked Potatoes

Ken — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:13:39 +0000

Primitive or emergency cooking is accomplished usually with improvised culinary tools or perhaps with none at all. Many foods can be placed right on ash-covered coals to roast. Tubers and roots when placed on coals will turn black on the outside but the skin can be peeled off and the remaining portion tastes great, often with intensified flavors.

Larger potatoes take time to cook so an alternative method is used if you don’t have an oven. By encasing a potato or “spud” with mud you can protect it from being burned and more evenly distribute the heat. If you like eating the potato peel, you can first cover the potato with leaves or even wet newspaper, otherwise, the skin is a barrier to the starch inside. When covering your spud, clay is the preferred material as it adheres together well whereas regular soil may not hold together and cracks more easily.

The last time I had baked spuds my friend made some with straight clay and with others he included grass in the clay mix. The ones with grass held together better. We placed them on the campfire coals and also built a fire on top of them. After an hour they were ready to eat.

We had one left over that night and the next morning we opened it to find that it was still warm and very edible. If you try this on your next camping trip you might consider “planned-overs” for breakfast the next morning.

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Clay And Shell Bearing Block For Bow And Spindle Fire Method

“Mud Spuds” – Clay Baked Potatoes