Challenged! Modified Eskimo Strap Drill

This was a challenge issued to me on the Bushcraft USA forums. I didn’t like the idea of holding the bearing block in my teeth for fear of losing an eye, so I rigged up this rickety machine to hold the components for me.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.

This was my second attempt after failing to get an ember on the first time out. I don’t think that this method has any advantage over a traditional bow drill, but it was fun trying to meet the challenge.

The actual friction components were western red cedar. The bearing block was a piece of fatwood and the cordage was braided nettle fiber. It was all lashed together with a combination of trailing blackberry vines and some assorted roots.