Year: 2024


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 8, 2024

On August 8, 1786, the US Congress unanimously chose the Dollar as the monetary unit for the United States of America. The coin’s specifications were based on the silver composition, diameter, and weight of the Spanish Dollar.  Also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho), the famous Spanish Miilled Dollar (pictured) was a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter, worth eight Spanish reales. — A reminder: I will have five tables at the Missoula, Montana Gun Show on August 9-10-11, 2024. This is your chance to shop from about 80% of the Elk …


Mitigating the Drone Threat, by Tunnel Rabbit

This article is a response to an article on SurvivalBlog.com and other recent discussions that are beginning to examine this threat. To wit, here is the most recent: As Ukrainian Defenses Collapse, What Can US Patriots Learn?, by Brandon Smith.  Therein, Smith observes: “The real danger is in constant air-based surveillance, 24/7, around the clock, always watching. Maneuver warfare requires the swift relocation of larger units without the enemy being aware; with cheap drones this is no longer possible. All large-scale troop movements can be predicted and countered using nothing more than a handful of $3,000 toys.” As the discussion …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is 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. In today’s column, we look at some handloading Canadian homesteaders. Reloading: Homesteaders Going Full Dillon Over at the always entertaining Canadian homesteading Gridlessness vlog: We Made 10,000 Rounds in 24 Hours! …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 7, 2024

On August 7, 1420, construction began on the dome of Florence Cathedral, designed by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. — August 7th, 1933 was the birthday of Jerry Pournelle. He, along with Larry Niven authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 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 …


Bartering in a Post SHTF World – Part 2, by D.K.

(Continued from Part 1.  This concludes the article.) Equivalent Value When most people think of the word ‘barter,’ they think ‘trade,’ or ‘like-for-like.’ The following is a list of possible items that you might want to consider having for bartering purposes, or charitable giving, should the need ever arise. These are merely suggestions. Barter Item Categories & Suggestions Air Gun/Archery: BBs/pellets, CO2 cartridges Spare bow strings, arrows/bolts Food: Freeze dried, #10 cans, MRE Flour, yeast, sugar, wheat Coffee/tea, drink mixes Hand crank grinder (meat/grain), spare parts Alcohol: Homemade wine/liquor Airline mini-bottles Fuel: 93-octane, diesel, kerosene, white camp fuel, 1 lb. …


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. — Reader H.L. sent us this link: How Appalachia Has Become a Hot—Even Hip—Place To Live That’s Still Dirt Cheap. Here are H.L.’s Comments: “No one has to tell me how beautiful and affordable West Virginia is.  I lived there for 10 years. I loved the land and the people.  The four seasons …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I see the liberty of the individual not only as a great moral good in itself (or, with Lord Acton, as the highest political good), but also as the necessary condition for the flowering of all the other goods that mankind cherishes: moral virtue, civilization, the arts and sciences, economic prosperity. Out of liberty, then, stem the glories of civilized life.” – Murray N. Rothbard


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 6, 2024

On August 6, 1819, Norwich University was founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States. Pictured is a squad of Norwich Army ROTC cadets on an air movement via a 10th Mountain Division Blackhawk helicopter, in 2021.  (U.S. Army photo by PFC Ethan Scofield.) — August 6, 1699, HMS Roebuck, captained by “explorer and pirate”  William Dampier, landed at Shark Bay, Western Australia on the first British scientific expedition to Australia. — August 6, 2011, a U.S. CH-47D Chinook military helicopter operating with the call sign Extortion 17 (spoken “one-seven”) was shot down while transporting …


Bartering in a Post SHTF World – Part 1, by D.K.

What is Bartering? Bartering is the exchange of goods and services between two interested parties that does not utilize the current U.S. fiat monetary system, or any national currency system for that matter. Movies and television have presented numerous visuals that help people conceptualize what this might look like on a large scale like “The Hob” in the movie The Hunger Games. In lay terms, incorporating barter items in your preparedness plans is an attempt to anticipate the future needs of those near you or at your destination if bugging out. Words of caution when it comes to bartering: Anyone …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. In today’s column, we cover some “remote” possibilities. Region-Wide Video: The Great Scenic Loop Of Idaho And Montana. o  o  o SurvivalRealty.com land search: Off-grid properties. Idaho Idaho Off the Grid: An Intimate Look at One of America’s Most Remote States. o  o  o Clark County, …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 5, 2024

On August 5, 1775, the Spanish packet boat San Carlos entered San Francisco Bay for the first time. It was under the command of Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala.  He and his crew of 30 men spent six weeks surveying the bay from its shallow southern end to the northern end of what is now known as Suisun Bay. — August 5, 1861: President Lincoln signed the first US personal Income Tax into law.  It levied 3% of incomes over $800. — On August 5, 1846, the Oregon territory was divided between the United States and Britain at the 49th …


Bear Knuckles Work Gloves, by Thomas Christianson

I recently tested several pairs of work gloves that I am really enthusiastic about. They are tough, supple, comfortable, and have excellent dexterity relative to their thickness. They provide the best grip of any gloves that I have ever used. They are Bear Knuckles Gloves. Bear Knuckles Gloves were originally designed by bareback rider Shawn Schild to give himself a better grip during rodeo competition. The gloves utilize a double wedge pattern along the sides of the fingers to conform to the natural curve of the fingers. This provides a better grip while producing less resistance and fatigue. I tested …