Fire plough

Fire plough

Traditional fire plough

The fire plough is an ancient fire-starting tool that has been used by various indigenous peoples around the world. It is a simple yet effective method of creating fire through friction.

Description

The fire plough consists of two main components: a plough board and a plough stick. The plough board is typically a flat piece of wood with a groove carved into it. The plough stick is a harder piece of wood that is rubbed back and forth along the groove of the plough board. This action generates heat through friction, eventually igniting the wood dust and creating an ember.

Usage

To use a fire plough, the operator places the plough board on the ground and holds it steady with their feet or knees. The plough stick is then held at an angle and rapidly moved back and forth along the groove. As the friction increases, the wood dust in the groove begins to smolder, eventually forming a small ember. This ember can then be transferred to a tinder bundle to create a flame.

Historical Significance

The fire plough has been used by various cultures, including the Polynesians, Australian Aboriginals, and other indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands. It is one of the simplest forms of fire-making technology and demonstrates the ingenuity of early human societies in harnessing natural resources for survival.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The fire plough is advantageous because it requires minimal materials and can be constructed from natural resources found in the environment. However, it requires skill and practice to use effectively, and it may not work well in damp or wet conditions.

Related Techniques

Other traditional fire-starting methods include the fire-saw, fire-drill, and bow drill. Each of these methods uses friction to generate heat and create an ember, but they differ in their construction and technique.

See Also

• Fire-making
• Tinder
• Friction fire lighting

External Links

• Fire plough on WikiMD