Month: November 2025

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our 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. — SurvivaBlog’s Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this note on a body armor destructive range test: “A friend brought some armor plates to our shoot for testing. They were advertised as “US-made” and Level IV.  Turns out they were imported [from China and there was no evidence of an NIJ test]. Both torso …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 4, 2025

November 4, 1841: The first emigrant wagon train arrived in California after a five-and-a-half-month, 1,730-mile journey over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, from Missouri. This was the Bartleson–Bidwell Party. John Bidwell’s mansion property (pictured above, before the destructive December, 2024 fire) is now a state park. — November 4th is the birthday of Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone. He was born in 1916 in Buffalo, New York. The 2025 Basilone Parade was held in Raritan, New Jersey, Sunday, September 21st. Locals should try to attend in 2026, to honor his 110th birthday. — I just heard that Jase Medical (one …


From Unprepared to Prepped – A Beginner’s Guide – Part 1, by Mr. Wobbet

Introduction When thinking of what a “prepper” might look like, I am quite far from your expectations. I am an avid indoorsman who enjoys watching television and having stuff delivered. I am not a gardener, a camper, a hunter, or an adventurer. I don’t have anything against those things, it’s just not who I am. But a collection of life events and experiences have convinced me that learning those skills and adopting an attitude of preparedness is important for myself and my family. Once I made the decision, I had to ask the question of how I get there. I’m …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

A Special Editor’s Note:  This will be the last regular News From The American Redoubt column.  Because so many news outlets have put their content behind paywalls, it has become increasingly difficult to assemble this column.  It will be replaced by a new weekly item: American Redoubt Media of the Week.  That will typically be photos, video links, or the occasional news item. — 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. …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 3, 2025

On November 3, 1917, the price of U.S. postage stamps was raised to 3 cents per ounce. — November 3, 1917: Flooding from a tropical storm killed 84 people in the Winooski River Valley, Vermont. Several flood control dams were eventually constructed, to prevent a similar disaster. — And November 3, 1987, Gordon Gould was issued US patent US4704583 for the laser, ending his 30-year battle to be credited as the inventor of the laser. — Today’s feature piece is by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Fiocchi CovertX 9mm Ammo, by Thomas Christianson

Fiocchi has released a new ammo designed specifically for use in concealed carry handguns. It features an advanced bullet design consisting of a lead-alloy core with pre-cut serrations and a heavy copper jacket that is tuned for controlled expansion across a wide velocity range. It also utilizes a unique powder formulation designed for reduced muzzle flip, low flash signature, and lower recoil in compact and micro-compact handguns. The nickel-plated brass cases resist corrosion and enhance reliable feeding and extraction. The new “CovertX” ammo is currently available in .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, .38 Special +P, and .357 Magnum. I …


Recipe of the Week:

The following recipe for Scrambled Eggs With Green Peppers is from The New Butterick Cook Book, copyright 1924, now in the public domain. That is one of the many bonus books included in the 2005-2025 20th Anniversary edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick that will be available in February of 2026. Ingredients 8 eggs 3 tablespoons cream Salt and pepper 2 sweet peppers\ 3 tablespoons butter or butter substitute Directions Beat the eggs slightly, adding the cream, salt and pepper. Heat the butter or butter substitute, and when hot add the eggs. As the eggs begin to cook, …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“Anyone who thinks hunters are just ‘bloodthirsty morons’ hasn’t looked into hunting. If you wait through long, cold hours in the November woods with a bow in your hands hoping a buck will show, or if you spend days walking in the African bush trailing Cape buffalo while listening to lions roar, you’re sure to learn hunting isn’t about killing.” – Donald Trump, Jr. (Photo by Gage Skidmore.)


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 2, 2025

November 2, 1907: US banker J. P. Morgan locked more than 40 bankers in his library to force them to find ways to avert a New York banking crisis. (The Panic of 1907.) — November 2, 1948: Holland ended its rationing programs started during WWII for the distribution of textiles, meat, and cheese. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 121 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a …


A Top-10 Prepping List, Multi-Tool Not Included – Part 5, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) 9. CLOTHES AND A WAY TO WASH THEM It’s hard to believe how many top-10 lists mention ferro rods, manual can openers, plant-identification books, and the ever-present multi-tool without ever mentioning clothes or washing equipment. Clothes last for quite a while if we’re sitting in an office all day but they won’t lost long when manual labor becomes a daily routine. Since we’ll be wearing them at some future point anyway, it’s a good idea to be stocking up on clothes for all of the inflation-fighting reasons already mentioned. At the same …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Some Interesting Anagrams for the name Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Hired Kwanzaa Mammon Harm: Amaze Womankind I Khazar: Women, Men Mad Warn: Mohammed AK Nazi Mom Harmed in Kwanzaa Khazar Imam: Ad Men Now Newark Mohammad Nazi Wham! Armani Zak Demon Hazard: I Waken Mammon Harmz, in a Woke Madman News Links: Zohran Mamdani: Hypocrisy, Socialism and the Danger of Elitist Politics. Trump cautions that NY will ‘never be the same’ if ‘communist’ Mamdani is elected. A democratic socialist is poised to become New York mayor. Democrats are nervous. Notes From JWR: Do …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who …