Black Powder for Self-Reliance – Part 3, by M.B.

(Continued from Part 2.) Introductory Disclaimer (Repeated): Making black powder, while safe in the author’s experimental experience, can be dangerous. The author and SurvivalBlog.com do not endorse making black powder, and you do so at your own risk. Making black powder could also be in violation of the laws in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for compliance with all laws in your area. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog.com, are responsible for your use of the information in this article. The processes described herein are therefore for informational purposes only. Safety Note (Repeated): Black powder can be dangerous if there is …




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 “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the threat of a global pandemic similar to the Spanish Flu, of 1918. That pandemic killed more people than the combat casualties of the four years of World War I. …







Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 9, 2019

On October 9, 1781, the Americans commanded by George Washington and the French under Comte de Rochambeau began the bombardment of Yorktown, in the last battle of the War of Independence. — Today (Wednesday) our family is praying and fasting, honoring Yom Kippur. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 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. …




Black Powder for Self-Reliance – Part 2, by M.B.

(Continued from Part 1.) Introductory Disclaimer (Repeated): Making black powder, while safe in the author’s experimental experience, can be dangerous. The author and SurvivalBlog.com do not endorse making black powder, and you do so at your own risk. Making black powder could also be in violation of the laws in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for compliance with all laws in your area. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog.com, are responsible for your use of the information in this article. The processes described herein are therefore for informational purposes only. Safety Note (Repeated): Black powder can be dangerous if there is …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. This week the focus is on MagPul PMAG AR magazines. (See the Gear & Grub section.) Books: Gentlemen Bastards: On the Ground in Afghanistan with America’s Elite Special Forces o  …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The founding fathers mistrusted a government where the government holds all the guns and the citizens have no guns. Personally, I’d rather live in a nation where the citizens have guns and the government is underarmed. I would not want to live in a country where the government has the guns and the citizens do not. One of the first things the Nazis did in Germany was take away all the guns of the citizens. This meant that the government could do anything it wanted while the citizens were unable to object. As a Jew, I am fearful of a …







Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 8, 2019

October 8th is the birthday of the late economist and libertarian commentator J. Orlin Grabbe. (Born, 1947, died March 15, 2008.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3,000 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), …




Black Powder for Self-Reliance – Part 1, by M.B.

Introductory Disclaimer: Making black powder, while safe in the author’s experimental experience, can be dangerous. The author and SurvivalBlog.com do not endorse making black powder, and you do so at your own risk. Making black powder could also be in violation of the laws in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for compliance with all laws in your area. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog.com, are responsible for your use of the information in this article. The processes described herein are therefore for informational purposes only. Safety Note: Black powder can be dangerous if there is a gap between the powder and …




SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we feature the knives produced by Cole’s Custom Cutlery. (See the Idaho section.) Idaho Idaho State Representative John Green (R-District 2B), has announced that he is now a candidate in the May 2020 Republican Primary Election for the Office of Kootenai County Sheriff. o o …




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 “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the risk of solar superstorms. New Studies Warn of Cataclysmic Solar Superstorms Scientific American reports: New Studies Warn of Cataclysmic Solar Superstorms — New data suggest the New York Railroad Storm …







Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 7, 2019

October 7th is the day that we remember the 96 American POWs from Wake Island that were executed in 1943 on the orders of the commander of the Japanese garrison on the island, Rear Admiral Shigematsu Sakaibara. The execution of those American POWs who were blindfolded and shot in cold blood, remains one of the more brutal episodes of the war in the Pacific.




Cold Steel Code 4 Folder, by Pat Cascio

I’ve never been let down by any products from Cold Steel. I waited a good long time to get their Code 4 folder in my hands. It is a very popular folder, and they are quite often out of stock. But I found that it was worth the wait. Lynn Thompson, who owns Cold Steel, started the trend with his version of the ancient Japanese Tanto style of blade – his first knife was a fixed blade version – and I couldn’t tell you how many companies attempted to copy it – all to no avail. You see, there is …