Year: 2020

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Today, in lieu of my regular column, here is a special End-of-Year analysis of the firearms and ammunition market in the United States, with a few predictions for 2021 and beyond. Please note that I have a bias. This report comes from my “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. – JWR. Also, note that we expect to post a similar year-in-review piece on precious metals from Stephen Cochran of Gainesville Coins. That should be posted sometime in the first few days of 2021. Guns and Ammunition: 2020 in Hindsight The market for newly-manufactured guns has been frantically busy since March. According to …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 27, 2020

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On this day in 1979, in an attempt to stabilize the turbulent political situation in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent 75,000 troops to enforce the installation of Babrak Karmal as the new leader of the nation. The new government and the imposing Soviet presence, however, had little success in putting down anti-government rebels. Thus began nearly 10 years of an agonizing, destructive, and ultimately fruitless Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. It was death by a thousand cuts. — I will be back at the Rawles Ranch in seven days, so I’ve resumed taking orders at Elk Creek Company, with a …


Custom Cardboard Box Making, by Captain Nemo

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My grandfather grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and had to make do with just the things that he had. One of the skills that he learned was building a better cardboard box. He would fit and glue boxes together, and add wooden handles to make nearly indestructible cardboard tote and storage boxes. I have some of his old boxes that are 53+ years old, and they are still strong. My father never had the knack for it, but my uncle did! He would use the cardboard like plywood and fill edges with glue to add strength. …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

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The latest meme created by JWR: To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/mwvPEgTM Meme Text: The Fickle ATF Says: Your Formerly-Approved AR Pistol Might Now Be a “Short-Barreled Rifle” If it is Too Long, Too Heavy, “Impractical”, or Too Large a Caliber. But We Won’t Define Those Terms Yet. Because We’re “Biden” Our Time.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 26, 2020

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On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean region Tsunami took more than 250,000 lives. On December 26th, 1776, after crossing the Delaware River, Washington led his men against Hessian mercenary soldiers garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans, significantly boosting their flagging morale. — Hooray! Brexit congrats to our readers in the United Kingdom. After four and a half years, you finally negotiated your way out of Burger King! — After a month-long hiatus, I just reactivated the order-taking system at Elk Creek Company  — my sideline …


The Bill Of Convenient Privileges, by J.H.

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In this essay, I’ll be discussing The Bill Of Convenient Privileges (Formerly Known As The Bill Of Rights.) It is a sad day in a sad country. Ours was the only nation that was formed based on the concept of individual freedom and equal opportunity. (Not equal outcome.) I am going to show how we the people no longer have rights, but only Government-granted privileges. And only when they are convenient to the government. So let’s do this by the numbers: The first five Constitutional Amendments — Oops, I mean the first five convenient privileges. Amendment #1: Congress shall make …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — December 25, 2020

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To those who are celebrating the Advent of our Lord and Savior, the team at SurvivalBlog wishes you a peaceful and meaningful Christmas. For those who choose to celebrate our Lord through the biblical feasts, stay safe out there during this holiday season. Our prayer is that each and every one of you enjoys your family time. Stay safe on those wintry roads. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a …


Gear Review: Three Hand Crank Radios, by The Novice

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Many years ago, in a small town near where I live, a young family was gathered in their home. The weather had begun to look threatening, and they were concerned. Then, a growing rumble shook the earth and sky, like the approach of an impossibly large freight train. The family sought what shelter they could find. As the oncoming tornado shattered their house, the young father shielded his family with his own body. His family survived. He did not. One of the children whom that man protected grew up to be an acquaintance whom I greatly respect and admire. Many …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Today, on Christmas Day, in place of my normal Friday news column, I have this special bit of investing commentary for my readers: Investing In Your Children’s Future Today, December 25th, for most Americans, is a holiday of generous excess. We live in a still relatively prosperous nation, and we are a people known for our generosity. One end of your house is most likely strewn with bits of wrapping paper and ribbons. Your children or grandchildren are surely playing with their new toys, dolls, and games. A few of them are probably pouting, because they didn’t receive a Playstation …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — December 24, 2020

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December 24 is the anniversary of when John Joe Gray’s legal troubles began, in 2000. He and his family had been self-sufficiently holed up in their Texas ranch for nearly 15 years, in defiance of a warrant for his arrest, before the district attorney dropped the charges. This was the longest standoff in American history, in which he faced the administrations of four different county sheriffs. — Some good news was announced on Wednesday evening, from our friends at The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC): Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) issued “the withdrawal of a notice …