Bow Drill Divot on Knife Handles


Panzer

Panzer

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I can think of two knives that do this. The ESEE 5 and the new Tops Fieldcraft.

I am wondering if anyone has actually used these bow drill divots, how did they work and do you like them?

I was looking at Josh's new Fieldcraft and it occurred to that the Tracker could use one. :)
 
Rusty, we specifically put the divot where it is on the handle for that exact reason.

Some knives I've seen don't seem to take that into account. To me its' a sign of the designer thinking about survival skills rather than doing survival skills. That is not always the case I am sure, but it seems ridiculous to put the divot in a place where the knife has to be unsheathed for the divot to function.

I like the idea of bow drill divots. They aren't necessary, but they sure are handy. I don't have em on all of my knives, simply because some designs have lanyard holes which will do the same duty. As well, most of the time, I have a bearing block in my pocket. But for the ones I have seen, if placed in the right place? They are sweet.
 
The TOPS XcEST alpha and brovo models have them too.

I've never used or owned a knife with a bow drill divot but if properly placed as on the Fieldcraft, it seems that it would be one less thing to worry about in a situation where making a fire with primitive means became necessary.

No reason why it wouldn't work if used properly, IMHO. :14:
 
I always thought the one on the ESEE-5 was stupid…until I used it. Once burnt in, it creates an almost frictionless surface.

With that said, I’d rather just have a piece of micarta to make a bearing block out of than use my knife every time, but it does indeed work.

ETA, TOPS has done this with several knives.
 
I know our own Tomahawk uses one he burned into his GRK. I think he just used it until it went to the metal and he keeps using it. Easy enough if ya dont mind a little hole in the handle.
 
Yup, I saw the one Tomahawk did, and put one like his on my own Green River hunter....I drilled it instead of burning it in.

It works fine with wood, sort of eats up mullien (but a bigger hole would probably fix that)

the drill runs with about zero friction on the tang, and doesn't heat up much.....of course I keep most of the knife in the sheath and would really prefer to use a knife with a kydex sheath to eliminate sliding around....I would never do it with the knife out of the sheath.

I also put a drill hole in the back of a Mora 711 sheath, to drill on the blade with the knife in the sheath...it worked, but the sheath plastic self-destructed rapidly=its ok for an emergency but not sustained use.
 
I used and enjoyed the bow drill divot on the ESEE 5. I have always thought about adding one to some of my other knives, but never got around to actually doing it.
 
I agree with Adam and Bill, I have used the divot on my ESEE 5 many times and it works great. Though I have to admit, the first time I tried it, I was skeptical, but once "burned in" as Adam put it, it was very smooth. Chapstick helped for lube at first.
 
I've used the one on my ESEE-5 quite a few times and I love it. As soon as I can get a drill press set up with some decent clamps and blocking I will be drilling the handles of my tracker and mora's.

I've also used the lanyard hole of a tracker. Pics and video on the Friction Fire Tuesday thread.
 
I made a divot in the handle of my little opinel no. 5 and I have used it a few times.
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I was thinking when i made it worst cast it burns through to the blade and stops. OR it splits and I have to the handle it in antler.. but I use oils off the outside of my nose to "lube" the socket and it's done maybe a half dozen (?) And is hardly effected. I also put one in the handle of my ESEE candiru and it works great too.
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IMO being able to close the blade of use the candiru with the sheath on it makes me feel better than using a razor sharp bearing block. Seems like alot can happen that could result in a bad cut using say my 4HM without a sheath. But these 2 I have like this do work!
 
I just finished making this one today, It works but tears the Spindal up but i was able to get an Ember.
 

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I tried the divot on my Tops BOB. I didn't like it at all. Even with the knife in the sheath something felt off, it felt unbalanced to me. I know that shouldn't matter, but it did to me. I feel it will eventually burn out the divot, or maybe even heat up the handle enough to make the micarta start to come apart. Just my impression, and I'm sure others like this option in the handle.
 
I’ve never personally got it to work. But I watched @Edgewalker whip together a bow drill set in less than a half hour. He used the bow drill divot on the Tops Bushcrafter Kukuri 7. I made the feather sticks whilst he made the ember. It worked way better than I thought it would. He might have some input as to how it lasts over time.
 
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