My goal is the same and I too struggle with the temptation of pulling the ferror rod, lighter or matches out of my pocket instead. I mostly have used cedar and cottonwood, both of which are native to my area. I haven't had much luck with natural cordage for bow drills so far. I haven't found the right combination of strength and pliability yet with materials native to the area in which I live. I keep searching and practicing though. Eventually I will probably stumble across something that works.