Month: May 2023

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: 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. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Coming from the geographical determinist school of history study, I found this 20-minute video fascinating: Facts In Geography Never Taught In Schools — Thomas Sowell. For some further reading on geographical determinism, I recommend the book  Zones of Conflict. o  o  o A special request from JWR: A close family member of …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 9, 2023

On May 9th, 1945, Herman Goering – commander in chief of the Luftwaffe, president of the Reichstag, head of the Gestapo, prime minister of Prussia, and Hitler’s designated successor – was taken prisoner by the U.S. Seventh Army in Bavaria. Goering, who was addicted to painkillers due to a wound, was instrumental in creating concentration camps for political enemies. It was Goering who ordered the purging of German Jews from the economy following Kristallnacht in 1938, initiating an “Aryanization” policy that confiscated Jewish property and businesses. Tried and convicted at the Nuremberg trials, he was sentenced to hanging, but before …


A New Freeze Dryer – Part 1, by Captain Nemo

We finally decided to purchase a Harvest Right freeze dryer. Originally, Mom wanted to go with only a medium, but I insisted on a large due to how much the garden can produce. Last season, our garden produced so fast that we couldn’t process it fast enough. We lost about half of what we produced. We waited awhile and then mom asked about it again, so I checked the website, and there was a special running. She agreed on the purchase of the large dryer. The large dryer comes with a choice of pumps, the oiless pump, the premium oil …


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. This week’s column is a bit of a side trip, to showcase some backcountry adventure videos. Idaho We Drive Idaho’s Most Beautiful Road. o  o  o 5 Day Backpacking Trip in Remote Idaho with a group of Young Men. o  o  o Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“We may be thankful that frightened civil authorities … have not managed to eradicate from the country the tradition of the possession and use of firearms, that profound and almost instinctive tradition of Americans.” “Luckily for us, our tradition of bearing arms has not gone from the country, the tradition is so deep and so dear to us that it is one of the most treasured parts of the Bill of Rights–the right of all Americans to bear arms, with the implication that they will know how to use them.” – John Steinbeck


Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 8, 2023

Today is the 78th anniversary of VE Day, otherwise known as Victory in Europe Day. May 8th is the birthday of missionary and U.S. military intelligence officer John Birch. (Born, 1918, died August 25, 1945.) He is considered by many to be the first American casualty of the Cold War. This is also the birthday of Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek. — Today’s feature article is a product review penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Utica Cutlery Multimaster Tool, by Thomas Christianson

I generally favor multi-tools for everyday carry (EDC). I use a blade more often than other tools, it is true. There are always packages to open, cordage to cut, wires to strip, and other tasks appropriate for a blade. But it seems like every time that I carry only a knife instead of a multi-tool, I end up needing pliers or a screwdriver as well. So when I ran across the Utica Cutlery Multimaster, I just had to give it a try. I contacted Utica Cutlery, and they were kind enough to provide me with a sample for testing and …


Recipe of the Week:  Sweet Cinnamon Rice

The following recipe for Sweet Cinnamon Rice is from SurvivalBlog reader D.B..  She notes: “This is a great way to use some of your stored rice. I use Basmati Rice, but other white rice varieties work quite well.  I have not tried this with brown rice.” Ingredients 2 cups rice 4 cups water Pinch of salt. Cinnamon (Just enough to suit your taste.) 1/2 cup Brown Sugar. (You may use more or less, to suit your taste) Directions On a hot stovetop, bring water with a pinch of salt to a boil in a pot for which you have a …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the twilight of dollar dominance. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: California readies for treasure hunt as floods wash up ‘Gold Rush 2.0’. o  o  o Gold stuck at $2,000, caught between high inflation and recession fears – Quant Insight. o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold, Oil & Global Currencies …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” – C.S. Lewis


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 7, 2023

On May 7, 1867 Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel patented dynamite in England. This was the first of three patents he would receive for the explosive. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 106 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 …


AR-15 Setup and Maintenance – Part 3, by John Smith

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.) Rifle lubrication / Maintenance Proper AR-15 lubrication is essential. Everyone usually has their favorite lube of choice. Personally, I started using Lucas Oil Extreme Gun Oil on the outside of the bolt and a homebrew mix of Mobil1 synthetic grease and Mobil1 synthetic oil for the inside of the bolt carrier group (BCG). I went with the Lucas Oil lubricant because they make high performance automotive oils and I trust that they put actual research and testing development into making a high-quality oil that won’t burn off easily from heat. Other small …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: 14 Gun-Hating State Governments are About to Be Taught a Lesson On the Blank Page History, Text, and Tradition of Pre-1787 Gun Laws News Links: Supreme Court Requests Brief in Case Against Illinois Town’s ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban. Mark W. Smith: JUSTICE BARRETT INVESTIGATES FLAWED federal court ruling (wrongly) upholding AR-15 & magazine bans When a Supreme Court Justice Wants to Pick a Fight Over Assault Weapon Bans. JWR’s Comment: The restrictive gun and magazine laws in those 14 states will fail the Bruen Test, because there were hardly any restrictions on the …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he …