Bow and spindle for a bow drill. The bow is a slightly curved ivory rod with a hole drilled at either end. One end of a hide thong passes through each hole and is knotted to hold it in place. The spindle has a cylindrical wooden shaft that tapers at each end. The end of the shaft that was inserted into a bearing is slightly trimmed. A tip made from a reworked file has been inserted into a slot at the other end, and is held in place with a hide thong wrapped around the spindle shaft.