How Long Does it Take to Start a Fire by Rubbing Two Sticks Together?


When you are stuck in a survival situation, then starting a fire should be one of the first things that you should learn. You can choose from the many ways to start a fire, but it needs a lot of patience to learn. Fire is an essential way back in history, so people can cook, purify water, or get warmed by it.

How long does it take to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together? It only takes 30 seconds to 5 minutes to make a fire. There are three techniques to start a fire: Hand Drill, Bow Drill, and Fire Plow.

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In this article, you will learn how to start a fire and its importance in survival.

Ways To Start A Fire

In difficult times, you have to be resourceful enough to start a fire for survival. Alongside with shelter and food, building a fire should be listed in your priorities.

Hand Drill

This method is the most common, wherein you’ll have to hold two sticks together with your bare hands. However, this may be difficult because it will take a lot of friction to start a fire.

You can use the stalk of a dry plant of about 1 to 2 feet long. You can also use a flat fireboard, such as cedar, weeping willow, and basswood. To improve your hand drill skills, you can cover the woods with dry leaves.

Bow Drill

Select the best wood that you can use and create a spindle at the edge of each wood. The bottom end of the wood should be more rounded than the top end. Make use of a dry medium hardwood of about 1/2-inch thick, then carve a hole in it.

After you drill a hole, you can start rubbing the top end with grease and soap to prevent unnecessary friction. Make sure to get a tinder so the fire may easily be able to catch the flow.

Fire Plow

This method is also called the fire plow, where only two sticks are being rubbed together to produce friction and heat. When the sticks get heated, it will produce hot dust or coal, and more oxygen is required to result in ignition. Egyptians and other ancient groups are known to utilize this method.

Importance Of Fire In Early Times

Undeniably, fire became a necessity for everyone. Here are some of the things that you can do with fire:

Provides Habitat

One of the best things that fire can provide is the habitat for forest animals. When there’s a heavy bush, early people burn them to create new spaces for grasses and herbs. When the fire is being used, the water supply is increasing, which goes to the stream.

Kills Diseases

When early people are boiling water, it also can kill viruses and other diseases. It also aids digestion and relieves constipation, while keeping the body hydrated. Even though there were times that waters might appear clean, yet there’s no assurance to kill strong pollutants easily, such as lead.


It is possible to start a fire through hand drill, bow drill, and fire plow. Although it requires patience and consistent learning, eventually, if you’re persistent enough to start a fire, it would come out naturally. It will also help if you direct it to the sun’s ray, for better heat production.