How long does it take to start a fire?

Question

Have you ever started a fire with the following methods?
Plough method
Bow and Drill method
Magnifying glass method
If you have, how long did it take 4 u to start a fire with them (estimate) whoever answers first wins(with good answer)

Answer 1

Any of these methods timing depends strongly on how prepared the materials used might be.
A large magnifying glass collects more energy than a small one and if aimed at thin shavings out of breezes will smolder in about 30 seconds and flame in under 60.
Both the plough and bow & drill work much better with proper hard wood tools that have been used before and with finely cut shavings with some char on them if possible. If used with something that might work loosely put together, it takes much longer.
The bow & drill wants a base board with a hole that will hold sawdust and shavings, a straight hard drill, a nice hard palm shaped top holder of wood or rock and a bow of springy material (ash is nice) with a thong of the right length to lash in place. When all is held in place, and the user being flexible in since, as much pressure as the drill will take and still turn is applied and the bow spins the drill as quickly as possible. Smoke should appear after a minute or so and glowing embers in the shavings/sawdust about a minute later, blowing on them should build a bit of flame to transfer to a pile of shavings and twigs.
The plough is hard wood as is the grooved base and is harder and takes longer. It requires pushing down hard and sliding at the same time. Natural movement makes is very difficult to apply much pressure while pulling back. If the end of the track is carbonized and small shavings are in place, smoke may be seen in 1-2 minutes and embers in about twice that time.

Answer 2

I saw a lumberjack contest at a fair a couple years back, where two contestants started with a log and had to see how long it took them to boil a cup of water. They had one match each. It took them about a minute and a half to shred off wood shavings, light them, get a fire going, and make the metal cup of water boil. Most amazing. But that really doesn't answer the question, so....

I personally have started leaves burning using a magnifying glass. Took less than a minute to get the fire going. I have never seen anyone use the friction methods except on tv (like on Survivor).

Answer 3

Start Fire With Magnifying Glass

Answer 4

Magnifying glass - 5mins

Answer 5

This may sound funny, but with a bow and drill use dry rabbit tur*s and it will only take about 1 minute.

Answer 6

3 minutes -with a magnifying glass... :)