Day: December 12, 2008

Notes from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $1,050. The auction is for a large mixed lot that includes: A.) 15 brand new 30 round M16/M4/AR-15 magazines from JWR‘s personal collection. These include four scarce and desirable brand new HK steel “Maritime Finish” magazines, and 11 new USGI alloy magazines made by Center Industries. (Note that most of these were made during the 1994-2004 Federal ban, so most of them have restriction markings, but those became null and void after the ban sunsetted.) Even if you don’t own an AR-15, these magazines are great to keep on …


On Livestock and Self Sufficiency by TAS

Most of the readers of Survival Blog agree on at least the distinct possibility, if not the absolute certainty, of a collapse. This may come in a variety of forms – flu pandemic, economic depression, or an EMP attack are likely scenarios. Regardless of the form, the result will be very similar and our concerns are as well: How do we protect ourselves and our families and provide a living? While stocking up on beans, bullets, and band-aids is the initial response, further preparation encourages us to find a defensible, as well as productive retreat. But then what? So you …


Two Letters Re: Plastic Food Grade Buckets and Other Storage Food Issues

Hi JWR, About the recent post on HDPE food grade buckets: Please note: Plastic food grade buckets are oxygen and gas permeable and will not store food for a long time by themselves. That is what a mylar liner is for, to greatly slow this process down (it will not stop it entirely). Here is some data for oxygen permeability & plastics: Material…………………………….ml o2/(day*mil*sq. meter*atm) PE (polyethylene)…………………..6000-15000 HDPE…………………………………1500-3000 Saran………………………………….10-350 Mylar…………………………………..50-100 Foil laminate………………………….0 Plastic laminate………………………10-400 Regards, – Malcolm   JWR, Just an add-on for Don in Ohio’s post: I live fairly close to a major soda bottler/distributor. Their flavoring comes in …


Letter Re: Feedback on Foodsaver Vacuum Packers

James, Just a note of thanks. Years ago I purchased a Bosch brand food saver, which has worked well but died about a year ago,. Since it cost over $300 years ago I had not gotten another. When you mentioned the special sale on the FoodSaver v2830, I ordered one (Dec 1) which I just received. I strongly recommend these units, I just received mine yesterday, and it is every bit worth the $59. Thank you James! I love your novel, have read it 4.75 times now, (taking notes) and can see the truth of the story line being fulfilled …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Scott D. suggested this piece on commentary: Constitutional Convention Sleight of Hand?    o o o Courtesy of Hawaiian K.: How a Zero-Electricity Fridge Will Bring Medicine to the Developing World    o o o From Sean M.: Money is not the only thing you can lose in a failing bank    o o o Ann M. sent this “must read” piece from Fortune magazine: Eight really, really scary predictions; Dow 4,000. Food shortages. A bubble in Treasury notes. Fortune spoke to eight of the market’s sharpest thinkers and what they had to say about the future is frightening. …