How to Use a Drill Point for Bushcraft and Primitive Drilling
A drill point is a compact steel tip shaped like a tapered awl or primitive drill head. When mounted to a straight wooden dowel, it becomes a hand drill, palm drill, or bow drill bit — letting you bore holes in wood, bone, bark, leather, and even thin sheet materials.
Grim Workshop’s drill point is engineered from strong, hardened steel so it bites into material and resists bending. For field repairs, gear building, primitive crafting, and small camp construction, it’s one of the most versatile micro-tools you can carry.
This guide covers how to mount the drill point, how to drill with three different methods, and how to create clean, controlled holes using simple bushcraft techniques.
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What a Drill Point Is
A drill point is:
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A tapered conical metal tip
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Designed for rotational boring
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Stronger and sharper than a standard awl
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Intended to mount into a dowel or shaft
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Able to handle harder materials
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Compact enough to fit in an EDC or survival kit
Think of it as a primitive version of a drill bit that works without power tools.
Best Uses for a Drill Point
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Drilling holes in wood
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Creating holes in leather straps
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Lashing holes for pack repairs
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Carving bow-drill fire sets
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Making arrow nocks
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Crafting fish hooks (wood or bone)
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Making wooden toggles
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Drilling through thin bone
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Drilling through bark or horn
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Making trap triggers
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Building camp furniture
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Making friction-fit joints
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Creating holes for cordage
Pairs with:
→ How to Use a Dowel Maker
→ How to Use an Awl
→ How to Use a Blade
→ How to Use a Wood Scraper
How a Drill Point Works
The tapered shape allows:
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Initial piercing
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Progressive widening
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Material removal by rotation
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Self-centering during drilling
Unlike an awl, which punches material aside, a drill point cuts and removes material as you spin it.
Mounting the Drill Point Onto a Wooden Dowel
This is the most important step.
A drill point is only as good as its handle.
Step 1: Choose the Right Wood
Best options:
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Straight-grain hardwood
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Dry, seasoned wood
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Diameter: ½ inch to 1 inch for hand drills
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Length: 6–12 inches
Dowel should come from:
→ How to Use a Dowel Maker
Step 2: Cut a Center Slot or Drill a Starter Hole
You have two mounting options:
Option A: Split-Slot Mount
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Split the end of the dowel about ½ inch deep
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Slide drill point into the slot
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Wrap tightly with cordage or wire
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Add resin, pitch, or tree sap if available
This is the strongest and most reliable method.
Option B: Tapered Socket Mount
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Use awl to make a pilot depression
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Push drill point into the hole
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Hammer gently to seat
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Add cord wrap or resin
Good when wood is tough and won’t split.
Step 3: Secure With Wrapping
Use:
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Paracord inner strands
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Jute cord
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Fishing line
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Wire
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Plant fiber cordage
Pull tight.
Your drill point should not wiggle at all.
Three Ways to Use a Mounted Drill Point
1. Hand Drill Technique (Two-Hand Method)
Best for softer materials like:
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Willow
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Pine
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Cedar
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Leather
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Bark
Steps
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Hold shaft between both hands
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Spin quickly while pushing downward
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Reposition hands as needed (“hand-over-hand” motion)
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Keep consistent downward pressure
This gives good control, but is slower on hardwoods.
2. Palm Drill Technique (One-Hand Method)
Great for:
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Leather
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Bark
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Thin wood
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Arrow nocks
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Trap triggers
Steps
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Grip dowel like a screwdriver
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Twist back and forth
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Apply steady downward pressure with wrist
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Use small, quick motions
This gives precision for small holes.
3. Bow Drill Technique (Fastest Method)
This is for harder materials or bigger holes.
Steps
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Wrap bow string once around your drill shaft
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Place a bearing block on the top end
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Push bow back and forth
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Drill point spins rapidly
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Apply light downward pressure
This removes material very quickly.
This is not fire-starting — this is drilling using a bow drill motion.
How to Start a Hole Cleanly
To reduce slipping:
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Use the tip of a blade or awl to make a starter divot
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Angle drill slightly at first
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As drill bites, straighten to 90 degrees
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Keep motion smooth and controlled
This prevents wandering and produces a clean entry hole.
How to Drill Through Wood (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Create a Small Pilot Divot
Prevents slipping and wandering.
Step 2: Begin Slow Rotation
Let the point bite into the grain.
Step 3: Increase Speed Gradually
Faster spinning removes material efficiently.
Step 4: Clear Shavings Frequently
Pull bit out occasionally.
Step 5: Break Through Carefully
Slow down near the end to prevent blowout splinters.
Using the Drill Point for Arrow Making
The drill point is perfect for:
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Drilling nocks
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Drilling fletch holes
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Drilling sockets for inserts
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Straightening heat-treated shafts
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Creating balance and weight adjustments
Pairs with:
→ How to Use a Dowel Maker
Using the Drill Point for Leather and Bark
Excellent for gear repairs:
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Belts
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Straps
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Holsters
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Sheaths
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Bark baskets
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Willow packs
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Bark canteens
A drill point gives cleaner holes than an awl because it removes material instead of stretching it.
Using a Drill Point on Bone, Antler, or Horn
These materials drill well using:
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Bow drill method
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Slow, steady pressure
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Frequent cooling
Create:
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Buttons
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Needles
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Fishing hooks
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Beads
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Toggle parts
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Arrowheads (in emergencies)
Sharpening a Drill Point
Use:
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Fine stone
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Ceramic rod
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Leather strop
Sharpen:
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The conical sides (lightly)
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The point (moderately sharp)
Avoid razor-sharp — you want durability, not fragility.
Pairs with:
→ How to Sharpen a Blade
How to Improvise a Drill Point in the Field
1. Sharpened Nail
Heat and harden if possible.
2. Bone or Antler Point
Scrape into a tapered shape.
3. Fire-Hardened Wood Point
Hardens enough for soft woods or leather.
4. Stone Point
Chip a micro-flake point.
5. Metal Scrap
File to shape and mount into wood.
Common Beginner Mistakes
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Trying to drill hardwood with hand technique only
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Not securing the drill point tightly
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Overheating bone or antler
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Using a dull drill point
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Not making a starter divot
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Pressing too hard and binding the point
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Drilling too fast without clearing chips
Expert Tips
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Use oil or water to lubricate holes in dense woods
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Bow drill method produces the cleanest, fastest bore
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Straight grain wood drills better than twisted grain
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For arrow nocks, drill from both ends to avoid splitting
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For leather, place a scrap of wood underneath
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Use the drill point to carve shallow countersinks
FAQ
Q: Can a drill point start a fire?
A: Not directly — but it can drill clean sockets for bow-drill fire sets.
Q: Will it drill metal?
A: Only thin soft metals (aluminum, brass). Not hardened steel.
Q: How sharp should the point be?
A: Sharp enough to bite, but not needle-thin.
Q: Can I mount it permanently?
A: Yes — many people keep one permanently set into a dedicated dowel.
Related Skill Series Posts
(© 2025 Grim Workshop. All Rights Reserved. Grim Workshop, Survival Cards, and all related marks are registered trademarks of Grim Workshop. This article is part of the Grim Workshop Skill Series educational archive. No content may be reproduced, republished, stored, or adapted without written permission. For drill points, primitive tool components, and compact survival kits, visit www.grimworkshop.com.)
