Year: 2022

Signs Of The Times – Part 1, by St. Funogas

Since we’re as close as we’ve been in the past 50 years to the possibility of not only WW III, but the nuclear war we’ve all feared since Hiroshima and the Cuban Missile Crisis, the time seems urgent for all Americans to get out of our normalcy bias and start prepping, and for current preppers to kick it up a notch or two. Or three. This article has been edited many times and has been in and out of my “Do Not Submit” folder at least seven times. While many SurvivalBlog articles are preaching to the choir of us like-minded …


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 exodus from big cities. Americans are Moving Out of Urban Counties We’ll start out with this article suggested by reader H.L.: Americans are moving out of urban counties like …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 4, 2022

May 4th 1943 – A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky designed and patented improvements to fixed-wing and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats, and most famously, helicopters. On May 4, 1415, reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. The death of Hus inspired the later Hussite revolution in Bohemia. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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% …


Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 2, by Steve A.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Screw design must be considered. If the screw shank will go into a hole drilled to accept the nominal size of the threaded fastener then this diameter must be cut all the way to the screw head. If this is a fully custom application you can, of course, leave the shank any size you desire. In this case, the hole in the fixture was made to accept the existing blank screw shank diameter. The trick in all of this work is holding a relatively long, small diameter, and fragile part for threading …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — The Department of Homeland Security’s newly-announced Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) has me puzzled. There is nothing in the DHS charter that mentions such an agency or function.  So, I must ask: How can they exist without a congressional mandate nor congressionally-authorized funding? Is KGB DGB Director Nina Jankowicz planning to handle this in her spare time? …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man, as far as by it, he does not hurt or controul the Right of another: And this is the only Check it ought to suffer, and the only Bounds it ought to know. This sacred Privilege is so essential to free Governments, that the Security of Property, and the Freedom of Speech always go together; and in those wretched Countries where a Man cannot call his Tongue his own, he …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 3, 2022

His 70th birthday! May 3rd, 1952 was the birthday of Pastor Chuck Baldwin. His ministry has strongly promoted the American Redoubt movement. — I was saddened to hear that pro-gun novelist John Ross passed away. He is of course remembered as the author of the very influential novel Unintended Consequences. Please say a prayer for his family members. — Two interesting new SurvivalRealty.com property listings: 1.) West of Socorro, New Mexico: Unique New Mexico Mountain Home – Prepper/Safe Haven, Hunting Camp. It even has a fallout shelter! 2.)  Beautiful and practical, ideal for lifestyle and as a refuge: A 10-acre …


Lathe-Cutting Screw Threads – Part 1, by Steve A.

Making, modifying, and using threaded fasteners seems to me to be a pretty basic part of repairs needed in keeping things running. I realize that the following information is not likely to be directly used by many of the readers due to the use of a metal lathe and the terminology. An amateur machinist should be able to make threaded fasteners as described. In any event there are absolutely a number of good ways to accomplish making a threaded fastener. Understanding that this just scratches the surface of the topic, I hope that it will reach a few folks 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 recognize the 50th anniversary Sunshine Mine disaster. (See the Idaho section.) Region-Wide A useful list, over at the Radio Free Redoubt web site: American Redoubt Churches. o  o  o What Is The Liberty State Movement? o  o  o I missed this article, published early …




Metro Arms, American Classic Commander 1911, by Pat Cascio

I love a good deal when it comes to firearms – so long as the gun performs as it should. I can’t afford to purchase expensive firearms – once in a while, I run into something I can’t pass up, and buy it – but the checking account takes a hit – and my wife has to figure out how to balance things. I’m also a sucker for a good 1911 – full-size, Commander-size, or Officer’s size. I haven’t been into my local FFL since the pandemic started, close to two years ago. I’m at double risk with high blood …


Recipe of the Week: Simple Chicken and Dumplings

The following recipe for Simple Chicken and Dumplings was sent by reader K.W.. She notes: “This isn’t a family recipe, but I suppose my grandchildren will someday call it that.” Ingredients 4 medium carrots, diced 1 medium onion, diced 3 Tbsp flour 1 cup flour (+/-) 2 Tbsp butter 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme 4 cups chicken stock 1 lb boneless, chicken thighs, skinned Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary 1⁄2 cup milk 1⁄2 cup frozen peas Directions Heat the butter in a pot or large saucepan over medium heat. Add …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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 continuing strong demand for RVs and camping trailers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Gold/silver ratio: why does silver suck? o  o  o Russia moving closer to a gold standard – official. o  o  o The Old Standard: Why Gold Is Beating Bitcoin In 2022. Economy & …