Year: 2014

Scot’s Product Review: Blastmatch

Fire is cool stuff, though I may have said that before. Much like a nine-year-old boy, it needs to be carefully controlled, but when it is, it is indispensable. Getting fire when you want it is pretty easy when you have access to store-bought matches that have been kept dry along with nice dry tinder, kindling, and fuel. The problem with fire is how to get it when you lack matches. All the tinder, kindling, and fuel on the planet won’t do you a whit of good, if you don’t have something to make the tinder hot enough to burn. …


Two Letters Re: Starch in ACUs

JWR Wrote: “By the time the U.S. Army reached the ACU-issue period, starching was not allowed. You can be relatively certain that none of the OCP (“Multicam”) uniforms that you buy surplus have never been starched. Best Regards.” As a guardsman of four years, I have seen starched and pressed ACUs at least a handful of times in direct violation of AR670-1. You would think these were being worn by old timers of the BDU era, but it’s a mixed bag. I have seen these on specialists trying to impress as well as Majors. They are not common by any …


Recipe of the Week: Turnip Greens Soup, by OkieRanchWife’s

I confess I would not have eaten this soup about ten years ago, but since I moved south of the Mason-Dixon Line and west of the Mississippi River I really like this soup. This recipe is also very pantry/emergency-cooking friendly. The only fresh and easily-grown food is the onion. Also, to save on the quantity of chicken broth, drain off the liquid from the beans into a measuring cup (usually about 2 cups) and then add the correct amount of chicken broth to get to 6 cups. Ingredients: 1 lb Hot Pork Sausage (or 1 lb thin sliced Polish Kielbasa) …


Economics and Investing:

I’m not usually one for conspiracy theories, but I have to admit, this is certainly one way to cope with an impending economic collapse without declaring war. Do these ten pieces of evidence prove the U.S. government is actively encouraging an Ebola outbreak in America? o o o Those not in the labor force but looking for a job now rose last month: The funny numbers behind the unemployment rate. o o o Labor Participation Rate Drops To 36 Year Low o o o What to Hold When the U.S. Economic Blimp Deflates o o o Gold Manipulators “Should Be …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Some insightful commentary by Ol’ Remus: The Ebola Farce. o o o Citizen journalists don’t need “Press Credentials” — but that badge may help o o o If you raise ANY TYPE of animals for food, this should SERIOUSLY get your attention. Make no mistake, complete government control of your animals IS the end game here. Animal cruelty is now a group A – FELONY. – T.P. o o o SurvivalBlog reader K.B. sent us this message: “Just FYI, the crowds at my local Market Basket grocery store in Metro Boston were huge yesterday. The cashier said he sees this …



Notes for Sunday – October 05, 2014

October 5, 1703 is the birthday of Jonathan Edwards. He died March 22, 1758 and was a prolific Calvinist theological writer. Many of his writings were later collected in the multi-volume book The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards, edited by John Gerstner. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 55 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for …


Solo Prepping, by Scott

I live alone. No, I’m not a hermit, curmudgeon, recluse, or ogre. I simply choose to live alone, and if normality as we know it dissolves, I am prepared to survive alone. As a typical working stiff, I spend the majority of the daylight hours at work. My office is 34 miles away from my home. If things suddenly take a turn for the worse while I am at work, I will have to make it back alone across those 34 miles to get home. Home is where most of my preps are stored. Home is where I am most …


Letter: Sharpening Crosscut Saws

Hugh, Since I sent you my comments on sharpening I’ve come across some information concerning crosscut saws that readers who have a crosscut saw as a backup for a chain saw will find useful. This link is for the Missoula Technology and Development Center. For the cost of a phone call you can request free copies of Warren Miller’s Crosscut Saw Manual and the companion video The Crosscut Saw Filer. [Editors Note: USFS- Missola Technology & Development Center has informed us that that they no longer have the Crosscut Saw manual available. Their stock has been depleted and it is …


Economics and Investing:

4 Of 5 Top Job Additions In September Were Low Or Minimum Wage o o o “Money Bubble” Predictions Coming True, Part 1: Stock Market Volatility Surges o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: The Neverland Of NIRP: Where Free Fed Money Kills Honest Price Discovery Labor Participation Rate Drops To 36 Year Low; Record 92.6 Million Americans Not In Labor Force Russia, Iran to Boycott US Dollar in Bilateral Trade


Odds ‘n Sods:

Satan’s Temper Tantrum. – Avalanche Lily Well said! – HJL o o o The toughest thing for everyone in this movement to understand is that they are not the saviors; they are the sacrifice. The saviors will come later; they will be our children’s children, fueled by stories from us about what liberty is and why it is worth fighting and dying for, but it will not be us. For the People and the Nation . – J.W. o o o Ebola Testing At Georgia Jail HALTS Operations. – G.L. When you realize that in a nation of 350 million …



Notes for Saturday – October 04, 2014

October 4, 1923 is the birthday of the late Charlton Heston, who was born John Charles Carter. He died April 5, 2008. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 55 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,100+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), 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 …


Little Things WILL Become Big Things, and Food Will Be Everything!, by L.T.

When everything falls apart there are plenty of plans for “bugging out”, “bugging in”, and so forth. Whatever path you choose, things won’t return to normal soon and quite possibly never. Much has been written on beans, band aids, and bullets, but there will also be a huge demand for little things that we take for granted. Of course, there will be an even bigger demand for fresh food. Decent food is a major issue; you can’t live forever on storage foods, and most people can’t live forever in the woods. The following is information from our experiences to help …


Three Letters Re: How to Build a Defensible Single Family Retreat

Hugh, Regarding M.S.’s statement: “You can forget about defending any type of suburban or urban home or business altogether.” I beg to differ. If anyone attacks my suburban home, he’ll be immediately counter-attacked from the flanks and rear by my neighbors. This is more effective and cheaper than elaborate defenses.- G.K. HJL Replies: The importance of having relationships with your neighbors cannot be stressed enough; however, M.S.’s statement still stands. For example, the average suburban home has 6 to 8 3/8” sheet-rock walls and a couple of chipboard sidings on a cross section, all of which a standard .308 round …