The last I made fire with a bow drill was with a cedar fireboard, a false willow spindle, a false willow bow, a 2-liter plastic soda bottle lid for a handhold, and a length of cordage I made from Yucca leaves. I made fire with it (with toilet paper as tinder) just before the soda lid "drilled" through. I tried to make another fire, this time with an abalone shell for a handhold, but by then, the cordage had worn out and broke.
I've found that a decent handhold is the hardest piece to find. It should be hard and smooth and as frictionless as possible. Once I find a decent one, it should last me forever.