Day: December 2, 2013

Notes from JWR:

Camping Survival has started a Mountain House storage food sale which runs from December 2nd to December 8th. They are offering 25% off cases of #10 cans, 25% off cases of retort pouches and 15% off buckets. The sale is for full cases only.  They are only selling stock on hand, but they bought a substantial quantity in advance. So rather than backordering anything, it will all ship right out to customers.  Meanwhile, Ready Made Resources is running a similar pre-Christmas sale on Mountain House foods until the 13th of December with 25% to 42% off, free shipping, and on request …


Pat’s Product Review – Cold Steel’s Talwar Fighting Folder

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t carry some kind of folding knife in my pocket – and I’m now eligible to collect social security benefits. I do know that back when I was a kid, there weren’t any lock-back folding knives that I ever recall seeing. I carried a folder for everyday chores, as well as self-defense. And, more importantly, at least when I was around 6-10 years old, I had a folding knife for whittling – a long lost pastime that was sure a lot of fun when I was a kid. A person could spend all …


T.M.’s Book Review: The Downfall of Money: Germany’s Hyperinflation and the Destruction of the Middle Class

The Downfall of Money: Germany’s Hyperinflation and the Destruction of the Middle Class, by Frederick Taylor © 2013 ISBN: 978-1-62040-236-8 Hardback; also available on Kindle. 416 pages, 25 chapters, appendix, bibliography, and index. Be assured that I am not an economist, but I do keep the family bankbook balanced. Past that and I am mostly lost in the world of high finance. I read this book in order to answer three questions: What caused the hyperinflation in post-WWI Germany? What effect did it have on ordinary citizens and how did they cope? What lessons are to be learned to better …


Portable Satellite Phones: Communicating Off the Grid, by Jon Aldrich

If you’re reading this blog you are no doubt already well along on preparedness spectrum, finding yourself someplace between never in America and not if but when, more likely you’re nearer the latter.  You’re probably well versed in all aspects of food procurement, preparation and storage, water purification, providing shelter and security for yourselves and your families as well many of the other nuances related to preparing for future contingencies.  There is a world of good information available on all these subjects and more and, for most of it you need look no further than right here on the SurvivalBlog. …


Letter Re: HK 9X Series Rifles Handling for Left-Handers

Dear Captain Rawles, I have not trained with a PTR-91 but have only handled them in a Cabela’s store. I really like them and am especially fond of the wood stock versions, my wife even likes how they look in wood furnishings ( a key attribute in making a major purchase) The sights are even nice. One thing I haven’t figured out is how, as a lefty, to manipulate the far forward mounted charging handle. Even with a 37″ sleeve on a 6′-3″-tall lanky guy I just can’t reach that far to charge the weapon while still mounted to my …


Recipe of the Week:

Robin H.’s Bread Pudding This is a simple, easy to make recipe for a quick dessert or breakfast item. It is my mother’s version of Bread Pudding. 1 large mixing bowl 1 loaf of cheap, sandwich sliced bread (or your leftover breads that haven’t been eaten yet) 1 cup of sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbs vanilla extract Milk 9×9 ish sized baking dish Take your bread and tear it into pieces and place into mixing bowl. Dampen with a splash of water to wet the bread, don’t soak it. Add in your 2 eggs and vanilla and …


Economics and Investing:

China’s rich fleeing the country—with their fortunes. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.) G.G. sent: Porter Stansberry: The madness of the crowd cannot sustain this rally Items from The Economatrix: Inflation Watch: Thanksgiving Dinner Edition No CapEx Recovery: Durable Goods Disappoint As Capital Goods Orders And Shipments Decline 53% Of Bankers Say Ethics Inhibit Career Progression – Here’s Why


Odds ‘n Sods:

New Tactic – Gun Haters Post No-Guns-Allowed Stickers on Storefronts without Consent    o o o Billionaire Bunkers: Beyond the Panic Room, Home Security Goes Sci-Fi (Kudos to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o “When a right devolves into a privilege…”, this happens: Australian police find 328 guns, 4.2 tons of ammo at farm. The Aussie police say: “These firearms are very disturbing.” But I say: “This distrust of the citizenry is very disturbing.” (Thanks to Mark X. for the link.)    o o o The folks at Homestead Drying Racks have announced a big sale on drying …