Letter Re: Machine Shop Tool Recommendations

James, In your blog you recently mentioned Transfer Punches. A more important tool to have is the automatic center punch. These are handy around the shop and in a bug out bag. They are great for emergency egress from an automobile accident. [Since these will shatter the tempered glass used in the side widows of cars.] They are handy, compact and versatile. The ones made by Starrett, though pricey, are the best quality. I used mine at work for over 20 years and once a year would oil the spring and still have it after 40 years. Quality always wins …


Economics and Investing:

A New Investment Strategy: Preparing for End Times Huge rare earth deposits found in Pacific: Japan experts. (A tip of the hat to to Mary M. for the link.) John R. recommended a piece over at The Daily Bell: Where Will You Go When the Sovereign Debt Volcano Blows? JBG sent this: Rating Agency Issues Greek Rescue Plan Warning Items from The Economatrix: Ron Paul:  US Should Declare Bankruptcy On-line Retailers Strike Back at Internet Tax Levy S&P to Deeply Cut U.S. Ratings if Debt Payment Missed Gas is 24 Cents Cheaper Than Labor Day The “Economic Recovery” Turns 2.  …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The Lumberman sent this: India’s rural poor give up on power grid, go solar.    o o o Freeze Dry Guy (one of our advertisers) has announced a special: 15% back in Survival Bucks on all orders for their “Bugout Buckets”. This offer is only good for the month of July, so order soon.    o o o Army’s Last Draftee to Retire After 39 Years    o o o And speaking of longevity in service: 76-year-old Army medic on fourth tour in war zones    o o o Reader Walt M. mentioned that Matt Bracken has a great new …



Notes from JWR:

I have some good news and bad news about the SurvivalBlog 5-Year Archive CD-ROM: The good news is a price reduction: Beginning today (July 4th), we have reduced the price to just $14.96. The bad news is that since Lulu is getting out of the CD-ROM production business, you will not be able to order this CD-ROM after July 31st. (We are evaluating other vendors, and should have it back in production by mid-September.) Buy one to tuck away, just in case the Internet or the power grids ever go away. (I trust that most of you have at least …


Blending In–Unremarkable and Invisible Architecture

Much of my consulting work revolves around either finding retreat properties for my clients, or helping them design or retrofit houses, once they’ve bought a property. I often have to play the “voice of reason” role, especially with houses that will be within line of sight from neighboring properties or from public roads. It is important to have a house that blends in with the style of architecture of your neighborhood. Yes, a Monolithic Dome offers great ballistic protection, but if it is the only one in your county, then it will attract attention. My advice: If you want ballistic …


Pat’s Product Review: Benchmade’s Bedlam Model 860

Pat’s Product Review: Benchmade’s Bedlam Model 860  The Benchmade 860 Bedlam folder could best be described as a “wicked” knife. I like big folders, as most SurvivalBlog readers know. The Bedlam actually looks bigger than it actually is, with its 3.95″ upswept curved blade – it reminds me of the ancient scimitar type blade. Benchmade uses 154CM stainless steel for the blade material, one of my favorites. And, the Axis lock makes for butter-smooth opening and closing, and the blade stays locked solid when opened, too. Most people, who have watched one too many Hollywood movies, believe that a knife …


Letter Re: Securing Windows With Plywood The Fast And Easy Way

Dear Jim: To follow up on the recent letters, we supply roughly half inch thick ballistic steel to stop .30-06 AP threats. (NIJ  Level IV ). The tradeoff is that you are looking at roughly double the weight — 20 lbs. per square foot.  So for the hypothetical 36″ by 36″ piece it adds up to roughly 180 lbs.  Ceramic tile can provide AP or Level IV protection at less than half that weight – but much more expensive. Your point about spall is well taken. I would worry most about the bullet splatter or ricochet from a round plastering …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Burt J. sent a link to a list on the CIA web site, showing positive and negative foreign trade balances. Look who is at the very bottom of the list with the largest trade deficit, by a wide margin. This can’t go on much longer without a currency collapse. Notutopia flagged an article that demonizes perfectly legal incorporation: Special Report: A little house of secrets on the Great Plains. (To some statists, financial privacy and economic freedom are foreign concepts.) Yishai was the first of several readers to send this: Inside the Fed’s Vault: $1 Billion Worth of Unused …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff B. sent this: The Four Most Likely Ways You Can Die if the SHTF    o o o Bob J. found this: The Post-Apocalyptic Clownscape that Was Six Flags New Orleans    o o o Don’t forget that the deadline for the Ready Made Resources Preparedness Video Contest is July 26th. Instructional (nonfiction) videos on any topic related to family preparedness are sought. The prizes are a brand new Rock Rivers Arms (RRA) Elite Comp M4 (AR-15 series compatible ) complete Barreled Upper Receiver and a Trijicon Reflex sight with a combined retail value of more than $1,400. Please …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


Raising Children to Be Ready for Life, by P.J.G.T.

It is my observation that many children are not being raised ready to live a real life. I can speak as a full time teacher for ten years and as a stay-at-home mother for the past 17 years. Here are my suggestions for how to improve your children’s education so they will be ready to think and succeed. Please do not think that our children are perfect and always wonderful. They are not! However, they are respectful, tidy and courteous to everyone. We have been told numerous times how “lucky” we are to have such delightful children. No, we are …


Letter Re: Water Will Be Crucial When The Grid Goes Down

JWR: I live in a very rural agricultural area 50 miles from Memphis, Tennessee (a major southern city) and have some thoughts on the reality of a Golden Horde situation. This region has an abundance of water. However virtually all the potable water is electrically pumped from deep aquifers hundreds of feet underground. In a “lights out” [grid down] scenario this area might as well be a desert. The only available water will be ground water and in the south that will quickly lead to debilitating and or fatal diseases. In a matter of days the possibility of a Golden …


Letter Re: Raising a Healthy, Happy Infant in a Survival Situation

Mr. Rawles,   Just a note to clarify the use of homemade baby cereals:  I made much of my own children’s baby foods and one thing that was stressed often was that there is a fundamental difference between homemade grain cereals and store bought.  The powdered cereals you buy at the store are made from cooked and dehydrated cereal grains and can be reconstituted with just a bit of warm water or milk.  When you grind your own grains at home (which I did and recommend from a nutrition and budget standpoint) you must then cook the ground cereal by …