Day: January 29, 2010

JWR’s Comments on the “After Armageddon” Docudrama

The History Channel recently aired a docudrama that was interspersed with interviews of subject matter experts, titled After Armageddon. The show was previously mentioned here in SurvivalBlog, but I just recently got the chance to watch all of it. It portrayed a fictional family making some horrible mistakes, in the midst of a major pandemic. I assume that these mistakes were written into the script to increase the quotient for drama. (At least I hope so!) They certainly illustrated the peril of attempting to hunker down in a city with insufficient supplies. They should have “bugged out” weeks sooner! I …


Letter Re: Gear and Book Recommendations

Mr. Rawles: I am a daily visitor to your site. Thank you for all that you do. Here are some products or vendors that offer exceptional value. Ragnar’s Ragweed Forge. Sells the Frost Mora, Swedish carbon steel knives. Plastic handled models about $10.00, including plastic belt sheath. K & M Industries, Inc. Heirloom quality, waterproof match cases. Machined from solid brass or aluminum, for about $20.00. Douk Douk pocket knives. Primitive little folding knives takes razor’s edge. Imported from France and overpriced everywhere on the Net. Any seller willing to take a reasonable mark-up could sell these knives by the …


Letter Re: Beekeeping and Fur Trapping at Your Retreat

Jim, I enjoyed the article by Chris on bee keeping and fur trapping. Ever since setting my first muskrat trap in 1974, I have been an avid trapper, not missing a year since, regardless of fur market prices. The knowledge one gains with respect to any furbearer that is pursued becomes very intimate if pursued successfully with passion year after year. Its not enough to just understand the general behavior of the furbearer. To successfully trap furbearers, one must know exactly where the animal will step. Close doesn’t always count in this sport. I once read where if one wants …


Two Letters Re: A Simple Off-the-Shelf Solar Power System and Off-Grid Power Tools

James- Thanks for the interesting article on the Ryobi 12v solar setup. Just wanted to chip in some advice on Ryobi batteries: Of the name brand cordless tools, Ryobi seems to have the worst NiCd battery quality. When used carefully, they will work well for a couple of years. If pressed hard, they will die a much earlier death. I have found that some packs will have a bad cell, dramatically shortening the entire pack’s life after only a few months. I’ve experienced this with 9.6v, 14v, and 18v Ryobi setups. Even the healthier packs, when pushed hard, particularly with …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Spike In Severe H1N1 in Memphis, Tennessee Children “…the traditional flu season is beginning, which will likely lead to emergence of a new swine H1N1 strain.” H1N1 Fatality Rate in Memphis Children Raises Concern “The flu season in the US traditionally peaks in February or March, so the increases seen in Memphis may represent the start of a dramatic rise in severe and fatal cases. Seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 have virtually disappeared in much of the northern hemisphere including the United States, so pandemic H1N1 variants will likely emerge in the next few weeks.” H1N1 School Closings in Donetsk, Ukraine …


Economics and Investing:

Banking crisis, currency fears. (Thanks to G, for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: 24 States Unemployment in the Red, 9 More Within 6 Months Is the Dow About to Dive 1,000 Points? Pakistan Collapse Could Trigger Global Depression and WWIII Walmart to Cut 11,200 Sam’s Club Jobs Bob Chapman: Are We in an Economic Depression? IRA & 401K Theft Plotted by US Government Doug Casey: Stock Market Set to Crash Home Prices Stabilize Further, But More Drops May Be in Store First-time Jobless Claims Drop Less Than Expected


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Brian B. sent us a link to some news from near Machu Picchu, Peru: The folks in Aguas Calientes are in hot water. Brian’s comments: “Mudslides have blocked all roads and the train tracks leading to the area, stranding up to 2,000 tourists. Locally, some 10,000 residents have been affected and 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Poor weather has hampered rescue and relief efforts. Food and fresh water are becoming increasingly difficult to locate which has led to price gouging ($3.50 for a bottle of water).”    o o o Chuck M. flagged this article from a British newspaper: …