Year: 2021

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 13, 2021

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This is the birthday of actor and shooter Robert Stack (1919 -2003.) — 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 store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of …


Constructing My Culvert Cooker – Part 1, by J.P.

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Introductory Note: Since posting the article on Wood Fired Coffee Roasting (Dec 8-9) a number of you have asked for some directives on building the counter height cooker. Because I love using my cooker, and I can’t think of a more practical piece of outdoor equipment, here goes with my best attempt to guide you through the construction process. I highly recommend putting together the entire outdoor kitchen, but if you are interested in just the culvert cooker then you’ll find that below – Stage II, Culvert Cooker. First, read through the entire article. — If Wikipedia knew about the …


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, tools, books, and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how-to” self-sufficiency videos. There is also an emphasis on links to sources for storage food and a variety of storage and caching containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This week the focus is on Kestrel weather monitors. (See the Gear section.) Books: …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 12, 2021

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On this day in 1737, John Hancock was born. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. January 12, 1879 – The British-Zulu War begins. British troops, under Lieutenant General Frederic Augustus, invade Zululand from the southern African republic of Natal. Today is also the birthday of Edmund Burke. (Born 1729, died 9 July 1797.) — I’m pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Prepper Tees. That biz is operated by some of my relatives. Please take a look at their site. Many of their designs are very clever. – JWR — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another …


Cap and Ball Sixguns: Old Technology, New World, by Randy in S.C.

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Ammunition is in short supply these last few months, and probably will be for the foreseeable future. RImfires and common defensive calibers like .380, 9mm and .45 went first, then .223/5.56. Since the election, even shotgun shells are scare as hens’ teeth. Leftist politicians may not have to gut the Second Amendment if shooters can’t find ammunition. When Mahbub Ali gave Kim a revolver, it was fully loaded. “Of what use,” the wily Afghan observed, “is a gun unfed?” What ammunition is still available is often at scalpers’ prices. Paying a dollar a shot for steel-cased Russian junk is not …


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 focus on Wyoming’s cryptocurrency Special Purpose Depository Institutions (SPDIs). (See the Wyoming section.) Idaho North Idaho Internet Provider Blocks Facebook, Twitter on Its Service Over Censorship o  o  o Instead of going on, Idaho high school graduates stayed home. JWR’s Comment: Part of this …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 11, 2021

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Today is birthday of big game hunter and writer Peter Hathaway Capstick. January 11th is also the birthday of Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804.) And today is the natal day of the late Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby, who was born in 1918. He was the most decorated hero of the Norwegian resistance under the German occupation. He died May 10, 2012. — Today we’re posting another review by our redoubtable Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.


Ruger AR vs. Springfield Armory AR, by Pat Cascio

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I’ve had a few requests for doing another AR versus AR article, since I did one several years back. I personally don’t like doing any sort of “Versus” firearms articles, because it is difficult, if not impossible, to remain totally unbiased. In the end, a person will usually like one firearm over another, and probably for no solid reason – just a personal bias. However, I will lay out my findings for our readers and you be the judge when you finish this article. Right now, AR-15 styles of rifles are difficult to come by, because of all the violence …


Recipe of the Week: Chopped Beef En Casserole

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The following recipe for Chopped Beef En Casserole is from The New Butterick Cook Book, by Flora Rose, co-head of the School of Home Economics at Cornell University. It was published in 1924. A professional scan of that 724-page out-of-copyright book is one of the many bonus items included in the upcoming edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. This special 15th Anniversary Edition USB stick should be available for sale on or about January 25, 2021. The 14th Edition sold out quickly, so place a reminder in your calendar, if you want one. Ingredients 2 pounds clod of …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the risk of substantially higher inflation in 2021 and beyond. (See both the Economy & Finance and the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Black Swans, Ordinary Swans And Metals o  o  o Silver Price Could Double Again Within 90 Days of Time Economy & Finance: Inflation ahead! Global …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“A culture war is what Mao called ‘a permanent revolution.’  If the Confederate battle flag comes down in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, the front moves to Mississippi.  When all the flags are down, the statues and portraits go next, then the school names, until all public homage paid to Dixie’s heroes is forever abolished.”  – Pat Buchanan (as quoted in 2001)


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 10, 2021

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January 10th, 1776 is the day that North Carolina Governor Josiah Martin issued a proclamation calling on the king’s loyal subjects to raise an armed force to combat the “rebels”. This ultimately led to Colonel Donald McLeod leading the men on an assault on the Patriots that ended with fifty of his men dead and 880 captured. The Patriots lost only two of their number. — Also on this day in 1976 the song “Convoy” by C.W. McCall was the #1 song on the U.S. pop charts. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 of …


Gear Review: Morisk Waterproof Flashlight/Plasma Lighter, by The Novice

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According to the ancient Greeks, Prometheus lay the foundation of civilization by stealing fire from the gods and giving it to mankind. The mythology of the ancient Greeks does not accurately represent the one true God, His holy character, or His plan of redemption. But the Greeks were remarkably perceptive regarding the role of fire as the foundation of civilization. Heat, light, protection from wild animals, food preparation, the forging of metal tools, and a host of other possibilities all lay hidden within the glow of a tiny flame. Effective fire starting is so foundational to survival, that I try …