Wrap the bowstring around the spindle and place one end of the spindle in the indentation on the fireboard. With one hand, hold the top piece/socket on top of the spindle with enough force to hold it upright; with the other hand, move the bow back and forth to rapidly turn the spindle. 

This method generates heat much more quickly than a simple hand drill. You may start to see smoke after just a few minutes. Don’t stop when you see smoke; keep moving the bow quickly for as long as it takes to form a good ember. 

Method 3: Fire Plow

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The third and final friction-based fire starting method, a fire plow, involves creating a fireboard and spindle similar to what you would use with a hand drill or fire bow. But instead of rotating the spindle, you will rub it back and forth on the fireboard. Tom Hanks did it in Castaway! Here’s what you will need:

• Fireboard – The fireboard should be about half an inch thick. Any softwood will work. Instead of cutting a notch and indentation in your fireboard, you’ll cut a six to eight-inch groove that runs the length of it. 
• Spindle – The “spindle” here is often referred to as a plow, but the ideal piece of wood is much the same. Look for a straight piece of wood about an inch wide and long enough to comfortably hold in two hands (16 to 18 inches is about right for most people). Cut one end to a dull, beveled point. 

The groove you’ve cut in the fireboard will act as a track for the spindle/plow. Take the spindle in both hands, and rub its beveled tip back and forth in the groove. Hold the spindle to about a 45-degree angle relative to the fireboard. As you rub it back and forth, maintain enough pressure to generate heat and friction. 

One of the advantages of the fire plow method is that the continued working of the spindle back and forth in the groove will create its own tinder, which will pile up at the end of the groove. Have some additional tinder ready to add to it once it ignites.