Modified spindle

[Thrud]

I was watching Alone on the SBS, when I saw one of the contestants had modified his spindle by putting a waist on it. So I modified a new bit of xanthorrhoea, combined with my Condor bearing block should make fire lighting just like turning on the oven......

Yeah right!

 

[Redtail]

Advantage - keeps the cord centred
Disadvantage - slower turning speed, less leverage/torsion on the friction point

 

[Mozzie]

I like the idea, but in practice really need the cord as tight as possible,

I twist my spindle into the cord, when it’s in the waist section less tension

will have to give it a try, I watched all the Alone series, who had this spindle trick Thrud, I must of nodded off and missed it

 

[Thrud]

It was on one episode prob the start of series3/4 where they were in the introduction area it was only a 2 second glimpse and nobody talked about it.
As you know even with the spindle wrapped tight (I use starter cord after Hairyman suggested it) there is a tendency for the cord to "walk" this should stop that tendency.
I also take Redtail's point about the rotation, but a fatter initial spindle will solve that.