Day: September 24, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 36 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


Keeping Honey Bees for Survival by The Bee Whisperer

Why Keep Honey Bees? Wandering into the woods and staying lost for months is something I love to do. I have been an survivalist for 24 years, and have been keeping bees for more than 10 of those years. With these experiences under my belt, I have begun to teach people how to be a survivalist, and one subject I focus on is the art of beekeeping. Before I tell you the benefits of having bees and some cheap ways to keep them, I suggest that you find a book about beekeeping to help you understand the terms I use …


Letter Re: Is There Utility in Melting Silver for Ingots?

Hello, I am a fairly new reader to SurvivalBlog.  I must say I enjoy reading it and have found a ton of useful knowledge here. I have a question If you have time to answer.  I have a large amount of old U.S. Coins and would like to refine the silver out of them myself.  Is the possible for a do-it-yourselfer? If so, what is the best process for this?  I am also considering melting down some old silverware and jewelry.  I would want to cast my own mini bars or silver coins for ease of storing and bartering.  I …


Economics and Investing:

J.B.G. mentioned a recent piece by the ever-cheery Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Fear gauge enters the red zone. Bama Man sent this: Chicago Tower Year’s Largest Muni-Bond Default Rhonda T. sent this sign of the times: Spam Turns Serious and Hormel Turns Out More From The Washington Post: World Market Fall Sharply After Fed Action on Bonds (Thanks to Linda U. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Peter Schiff On Obamanomics:  “There Are Not Enough Open Minds In The Capitol To Keep This Ship From Sinking” S&P Downgrades Italian Sovereign Debt Rating; Fear of Contagion Spreads Implosive Fusion of Global Financial …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader W.E.P. mentioned this: Feds tracking articles that include “zombie apocalypse”. [JWR’s Comment: Of course “zombie apocalypse” is often used as to describe other disasters. This leads me to ask: Are the spooks looking for clues or cues for socioeconomic collapse?]    o o o Reader D.V. and Stephen F. both recommended this article over at KK* Cool Tools: Homesteading Alone. (It is three book reviews, in one.)    o o o F.G. flagged this bit of bureaucratic nincompoopery: OTC inhalers to be phased out to protect ozone layer    o o o Greg C. mentioned Reason # 948 to …