Part of my interest for adventures in Malaysia is also to learn traditional skills and indigenous knowledge. This interest has been fueled further by knowledgeable Pak Abu (Bod) who has shared many things with me. One of the things that he has taught me before is making fire by friction more specifically…the bow drill.
So, recently Meun helped to record my practicing this skill of making fire using a bow drill. And the best thing is that I got it on my first try, which is great compared to the numerous times it took me the last time.
I have set my next challenge. I am thinking of walking into the jungle one day and attempt to make fire using exactly this method but utilizing materials from that jungle only. I think this would be a great challenge as it will be in a real rainforest environment, with high humidity and rain.
Anyway, would appreciate comments, suggestions and ideas about how to improve my methods.
Hi Keong-san,
I am Yamamoto from Tokyo, Japan. First of all, I want to ask you – why on earth you want to use this method to make fire? We live in a modern civilization, we have Zippo (in case you don’t know, it is a lighter) & matches.
Secondly, why you want to go to jungle and set up fire? You try to destroy the rain forest?? or just to have fun in the jungle? I think you must be a king scout before….
Last but not least, is that your dog in the video? I kind of like it…. can you introduce him to me?
Best regards,
Yamamotorsikal
Cheers….
Hi Yamato-san…well, its a lost skill. I see it like tradition. We still practise traditions that are centuries old but we never replace them with the modernities that we have. Same thing I guess.
The jungle frees the soul. With a knife, someday I hope to be able to just walk into the jungle and build everything and survive there. Again…like tradition!
Yup…my dog Sox. You should get one.
Thanks for posting! I’m planning to go back to Philippines again. This time I want to explore more of the mountains. Hopefully I can learn some of the skills you have to make the trip more successful.
To Yamamoto,
why did u post a stupid comment? was it because you’re stupid? or was it simply because you think we do not know zippo? well anyway, thanks a lot i had a good laugh..)on you of course)
making fire without using a lighter is also a knowledge, it requires skills. something that could be very useful to certain ppl (maybe not for you i guess).. it’s something fundamental to all the civilisation and we just appreciate it..
in the jungle, esp in rainforest, with fire we can cook, dry our clothes, keeping insects and animals away, a sign of telling other ppl that we’re there etc etc. btw where would u use a lighter? in the city? are you crazy? are you trying to burn down the whole city? (yup, that was exactly how silly your comment was to me). and some ppl just enjoy the nature, go into the forest
Hi Oryx! Thank you for your support.
To be honest, I get a lot of this type of comments here in this part of the world. What’s sadder is that they don’t realize what they are loosing (the culture, the heritage, the traditional skill). Even some of the aborigines are switching to complete ’shortcuts’ these days.
Me and a mate is planning to start a group locally. To try to share with people the beauty of bushcraft. All in good time.
Again, thanks Oryx for your support!!
Hi Keong,
and would like to try it at least once and not clinging to Zippo. But do you ever heard about jungle salt or rock salt? This salt important to mammals in the jungle as cow and goat have their own salt lick. I was eat it with rice starch to cure my kalkulus symptom when i was 8 years old. This salt is dark brown and have a weird salty taste. It is very different compared to rock salt that we found in the market like Halagel Rock Salt or Himalayan Rock Salt in term of taste n color. I dont know where my father get this tip to cure my pain and who supply the salt to him. Up until now (25 years old) i dont know where and how to find and get the salt. I much appreciate if u can explore this and share with us. Who knows the penan or semai or any orang asli use this salt as seasoning in their dishes….? 
I love this video.
Hi Fyda….yes, there is such salt. Let me ask around for you. Sending you an email.
Hi Keong,
Nice to ‘bumped’ at you in this website jungle. I’ve managed to master the ‘bow drill method’ recently. Such a wonderful feeling of achievment. I’ve tried to make one ‘api lantak’ myself, but not succesful yet.
I even tried the ‘bamboo saw’ method, but no luck yet, coz i used the bamboo i found at beach front.
Hi echan! Where are you located? We should meet up and share notes!
Email coming your way.