Year: 2025

Post-SHTF Lighting: Portable Power Stations – Part 1, by St. Funogas

This is the second of a four-article series on post-SHTF lighting options. It covers the basics of portable power stations (PPS) as well as what kinds of lights to consider using with a PPS or other 12-volt DC source of power. I hope those who read Part 1 of this series on off-grid lighting came to realize that for a post-SHTF world, a portable power station (PPS) is not only far less expensive than candles or oil lamps, but also healthier and safer. When managed properly, not only can a PPS provide all or most of the light we’ll need …


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. — Reader F.J. mentioned this informative piece by Eric Peters that describes the change from car timing chains to timing belts to illustrate how government regulations spawn higher prices: The Hidden Cost of Things. o  o  o I recently had a consulting client ask me about my current recommendation for an inexpensive dual-band …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 6, 2025

May 6, 1527: Spanish and German Imperial troops sacked papal Rome, ending the Italian High Renaissance. Charles III, Duke of Bourbon had been killed in the assault. It was reported that his death removed any restraint for the victorious soldiers.  The 17th-Century rendering above, titled The Sack Of Rome was by Johannes Lingelbach, — May 6th is also the birthday of Tuvia Bielski. (Born 1906, died 1987.) You may remember that Daniel Craig portrayed him in the movie Defiance. — Today’s feature article is an essay by JWR. — We are in need of entries for Round 118 of the …


The Survival Mindset: A Two-Decade Retrospective

Introduction SurvivalBlog is now in its 20th calendar year. I began posting the blog in August, 2005.  That was just a few weeks before Hurricane Katrina. Over the past two decades, I’ve had many opportunities to write about what I generally term The Survival Mindset. The following is a mashup and updates to four brief blog essays that I wrote and posted in SurvivalBlog in November, 2005 and in April, 2006: Prepper Angst Many of my recent consulting clients have mentioned the same feeling of unease about the coming years. Perhaps it is just the general predisposition of my consulting …


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. Today, news about some tax cuts and some tax increases.  (See the Region-Wide section and the Montana section.) Region-Wide Op-Ed: Montana, Idaho join the ‘record’ tax cut club while Washington imposes a ‘historic’ tax increase. The piece begins: “If there was a theme for the 2025 …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 5, 2025

Today, May 5th, 2025 is the 75th birthday of Michael Bane. Born on May 5, 1950, Bane is an author, firearms trainer, television host, and the host of the longest-running firearms podcast:  MBTV – On the Radio.  A proto-prepper, Michael Bane lives in an off-grid home in rural Colorado. Mr. Bane was also the basis of the “Michael Blessing” character in James Tarr’s zombie novel trilogy. Michael Bane’s website–michaelbane.tv–is the place to find his podcast, his blog, and his superb video series: Triggered. It is highly recommended. — We are announcing a change to the First Prize package in the …


Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point, by Thomas Christianson

The Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point is a handy folding knife with an innovative locking mechanism. That mechanism makes it easy to deploy the shaving-sharp, 2.75 inch, stone-washed, clip-point, AUS10A blade with a flick of the wrist. The black, glass-reinforced-nylon, steel-lined handle is ergonomically shaped and nicely textured for a secure grip. The ambidextrous deep pocket clip carries the knife securely and discreetly while keeping it easily accessible. This Taiwanese-made knife cost $89.99 at the time of this writing at DemkoKnives.com.  It is a well-designed and well-made knife for everyday carry. If you are looking for a sturdy, practical …


Recipe of the Week: Garlicky Corn & Tomato

The following recipe for a Garlicky Corn & Tomato is from SurvivalBlog reader R.E., who says: “This a great summer recipe for your garden produce. It takes just 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes to cook.  This makes a great side dish.” Ingredients 4 Ears of raw corn on the cob (about 2 cups of corn) 4 medium sized tomatoes 1 small bunch (a handful) of fresh basil 3-4 cloves of garlic (peeled and minced) — or less, to taste Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 1/4 cup of water Directions Cut the raw kernels off the cobs …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 4, 2025

May 4th is now informally known as “Star Wars Day”, because of a silly play on words: “May The Fourth Be With You.” May 4th 1943 – A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky invented fixed-winged and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats, and 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 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this …


Temporary Emergency Roofing, by A.F.

As we drove home from church this morning, signs of damage from hurricanes Debby and Helene were still abundant though the storms are now more that six months behind us. Since Debby, I have been watching for signs of repairs at a home where one corner took a tree strike that busted the roof wide open. Within the past week it appears someone has at last replaced the lightweight basic blue tarp with a heavier option, although the new one is only secured with roofing nails every 4-5 feet around the perimeter. Many of the remaining tarps are reaching the …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR, based on an idea suggested by SurvivalBlog reader C.B.: Meme Text: So, Do You Prefer Open Carry… …Or Concealed Carry? News Links: As of February 2025, there are 29 states that allow for carrying without a permit. Reps. Mann, Hudson Introduce Bill to Expand Concealed Carry Permits. Shall-Issue States — 2025. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit …