Year: 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 …



Note from JWR:

It was 90 years ago today that an international commission led by Charles G. Dawes was established to investigate the German economy, which was still in throes of the Weimar Republic hyperinflation. Dawes was the man who had planned Germany’s painful war reparations. (Which of course were part of what triggered the hyperinflation.) He would soon be Vice President, serving under Cal Coolidge. Dawes had a second life as a well-known music composer. He was also co-recipient of the Nobel Prize.


Writing Contest Winners for Round 49

Today we are announcing the winners of Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize goes to TX ER DOC, for So, You Bought Fish Antibiotics. Now What?, posted on November 20, 2013. He will receive: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried …


New Writing Contest Prizes

To expand the already more than $8,400 worth of prizes, five more companies have very generously announced that they are donating prizes for Round 50 (et sequitur) of the writing contest: 1.) KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304. 2.) APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit. 3.) EP Lowers, makers of 80% complete fiber composite polymer lowers for the AR-15 rifles is donating a $250 gift certificate. 4.) Autrey’s Armory — specialists in AR-15, M4s, parts and accessories — …


Two Letters Re: Homemade Soap Making Instructions

Mr. Rawles, I’ve been making my own laundry soap for a couple of years now and I’ve found that Zote works a little better than Fels Naptha or Ivory.  Our whites have been whiter since we switched from Fels Naptha to Zote.  I estimate that I’ve spent perhaps just s $15 on laundry supplies over the past two years.  That’s much better than $10 to $12 for a bottle of liquid detergent! Keep up the good work and God bless your efforts. – Emily S. Mr. Rawles, I would like to add to the suggested recipe for laundry detergent presented …


Six Letters Re: Source for Custom-Made Web Gear

Mr. Rawles, My name is Matthew Gibbs. I read through your blog from time to time and find it very informative! I am also an avid reader of your books. They have taught me a lot and really got me thinking. Due to this eye opening thought process. I have managed to wake up several others to some of the things happening in the real world. I thank you for some of the recent changes in my life. (for the better)   Anyway, long story short. This evening when reading through your blog, I found a post you made regarding …


Economics and Investing:

Company accused of preying on faith, not delivering millions of dollars in precious metals. Alt-Market: Expect Devastating Global Economic Changes In 2014 G.G. suggested: Martin Armstrong: Expect Cashless Society, Not Hyperinflation Items from The Economatrix:. Expect Devastating Global Economic Changes In 2014 Will “Rising” Gas Prices Crush The Holiday Spending Spirit? Federal Cuts Biting Into Home Heating Aid