SOG Knives Kiku Folder by Pat Cascio

If your tastes run along the lines of the great Japanese knife designers, then you’ll really enjoy the SOG Knives Kiku folder. It’s under review today. Talented American Knife Designers I know many American knife designers, and they are some pretty talented folks. I got to know quite a few of them when I was the West Coast Field Editor for Knives Illustrated magazine, for which I wrote for more years than any other writer. So I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of custom knife makers/designers over the years. However, many folks believe that when it comes …




Recipe of the Week: Easy Mayonnaise by Grey Woman

Now that my tomato plants have broken through the earth in their snug little pots (barely) and the smell of fresh baked bread is floating through the house, my thoughts are turning to my absolute favorite summer snack: Fresh tomato sandwiches with homemade mayonnaise. When grocery store mayo just won’t do, this is the easiest recipe I have! Ingredients: I large egg (fresh from the coop is best) 1+tbs Dijon mustard 1+tbs White vinegar ¼ +tsp sea salt (or kosher) 1 cup mild flavored oil (I use avocado oil, but any mild oil will work) 1 tsp fresh lemon juice …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in classic bolt action rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.) Precious Metals: To start us off, here is a good piece at Silver Doctors: The Gold Standard 101: Measuring Gold And The Dollar Now Versus Then o  o  …







Preparedness Notes for Sunday – March 18, 2018

March 18th is the birthday of novelist John Updike. (He was born in 1932 and died in 2009.) It is also the birthday of Luc Besson, director and producer of films such as Nikita and The Fifth Element. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today features another entry for Round 75 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day …




Observations and Prepper Lessons From County Jail, by M.R.

I am a correctional deputy, who works in a rural county jail in a mid-sized state somewhere out west, with some observations to share with my prepper community. When I first went into the jail to work, I felt naked without my EDC– a pistol, knives, and multitool. Don’t fret; I have them safely stored in my private vehicle outside should the SHTF happen and I need to make the trek home. However, I like to use every opportunity to learn something new. Enlightened Observations of Communal, Cramped Living As I have been making my rounds, conducting shakedowns, and dealing …




The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. China’s bad social credit policy is rearing it’s ugly head. How to Negotiate with Hospitals Not too long ago, I had a time where I was without medical insurance and I had to have a medical procedure performed. That was when I learned that most hospitals and doctors had sliding scales for payment and that they were open to negotiation on payment. I still ended up paying more than I thought I …







Preparedness Notes for Saturday – March 17, 2018

March 17th is the birthday of novelist Pearl S. Buck, best known for her novel The Good Earth. (Born 1887, died 1973.) This is also the birthday of Józef Franczak (born 1917, died 21 October 1963), who was a Polish Army Corporal who fought in the World War II resistance against the invading Germans. He then carried on after the war, to fight against the occupying Soviets and their Polish communist stooges. Eventually, he was one of the last of the Cursed Soldiers resistance in Poland. His nom de guerre was Lalek. o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest This has …




Perspectives on Patrolling- Part 5, by J.M.

Today is the final part of this article on patrolling in the post-SHTF scenario. If you just jumping in here and have missed the earlier parts, go back and look at what has been covered already, including objectives, planning, navigation, movement, contact, observing and more. Bivouacking Let’s look at the practical concerns of bivouacking within a patrol group. Even if everyone in the patrol is in perfect physical shape, you’ll still need to stop for food and rest occasionally. Since you will be walking a lot, you’ll be burning a lot of calories, which you’ll need to replace. Food is …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready! …




The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. With the conclusion of our article on patrolling today, we are also excited about Max Alexander’s new tactical manual. New Tactical Manual Max has released his new Tactical Manual. This small tactics manual is the result of more than a quarter century of experience at the highest professional levels. Based on real-world deployments to multiple conflict zones spanning pre-9/11 and the current Global War on Terror. The contents are combat proven and …







Preparedness Notes for Friday – March 16, 2018

Today is the anniversary of the Battle at Pound Gap Kentucky. (1862) o o o SurvivalBlog Writing Contest This has been another entry for Round 75 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the …




Perspectives on Patrolling- Part 4, by J.M.

We are looking at patrolling in a post-SHTF scenario. In parts 1, 2 and 3, I reviewed the definition of “patrol” and objectives of patrolling as well as planning, dress and kit, navigation, movement, and now the subject of dealing with contacts while out on patrol. I have provided some pointers on handling contact situations, and there is still a considerable amount to cover on this subject. Let’s continue. Contact (continued) Document Each Contact Once the contact is complete and you’ve departed the immediate area, you should stop and document the contact while the information is still fresh. This should …