Letter Re: Battery Options for LEDs and Small Electronics

Jim, I have read and enjoyed both your books. I have told all my like minded friends about them. Regarding LED flashlight batteries: I have a flashlight from Sportsman’s Guide that uses two of the CR123 batteries, it will also use the #18650 lithium ion battery. One of these takes the place of two of the CR123 batteries, and last much longer, and is rechargeable. The charger can use either 120 VAC or 12 VDC input voltages. I have a system set up that uses the Harbor Freight 45 watt solar panels. I bought mine on sale for $149 and …


Letter Re: Minutes Mean Miles

Sir: Depending upon your vehicle, even a small sedan can have a tow hitch installed. If the need arises all you have to do is hitch up a trailer and go.  Think of it as the ultimate grab and go bag, on wheels.   Granted, depending upon resources and vehicles one can expand upon this any number of ways.  Our solution has been to remodel a horse trailer to hold an extensive amount of preps, provide for sleeping space if needed, propane cooking, lighting and heating capabilities, bench storage and fold down tables, etc.  The fact that it appears to …


Letter Re: The Coming Shortage of Nickels

James,   You will have soon received a flat rate Priority Mail box containing $150 in nickels (inside a thick cardboard reinforcement liner) that I sent you. I sent you those coins for two reasons: One: I should have been a [voluntary] Ten Cent Challenge subscriber, starting from back when I began reading SurvivalBlog in 2008. The nickels cover not only the past three years, but also pre-pay my subscription for the next year, too. Two: Last week my local bank finally cut me off (and other bank patrons, too), from buying more than one roll [of nickels] at a time. …


Avalanche Lily’s Bedside Book Pile

Here are the current top-most items on my perpetual bedside pile: I recently watched a series of DVDs produced by The West Ladies. These amazing ladies have a great wealth of practical knowledge. They really know what works for self-sufficiency. I watched Homestead Blessings: The Art of Gardening and Homestead Blessings: The Art of Herbs. I have another titled Homestead Blessings: The Art of Canningthat I still need to watch. (There are many others in their DVD series.) From the outset, I was impressed by the years of collected knowledge and wisdom that these DVDs impart. I was also impressed …


Economics and Investing:

Reader L.I.Z. sent this: Using new metals in U.S. coins could impact counterfeiting, public safety and a lot more. Collect you cache of nickels now, before their minting composition is debased. Meanwhile in commodity news: Are High Nickel Prices Here to Stay? KAF forwarded this: U.S. sets $223 Billion Monthly Deficit Record John R. recommended this piece by Bob Chapman: The Fed Distorts The Economy With Inflation Items from The Economatrix: Burst of Hiring Could Mark Turning Point for Jobs   Factory Orders Up in January, Helped by Airplanes   Food and Fuel Bills to Rocket, Warn Ministers and UN …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Fred the Valmetmeister sent this fun video clip: Live Fire With a [Replica] Civil War Cannon. You gotta love the cannon ball lodged the tree trunk…    o o o Joe G. spotted this at The American Rifleman‘s web page: The M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle The changing nature of the war in Afghanistan led to the re-issue of the 7.62×51 mm NATO M14 rifle.    o o o Richard S. recommended this piece from Canada: Lorne Gunter: Opposing self-defence means opposing democracy itself    o o o I noticed that Amazon recently dropped their price on “Patriots: A Novel of …



Note from JWR:

Today we present the first column from SurvivalBlog’s new Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. Many of you will recognize his name from the various gun and knife magazines where he has written for more than 18 years. He has written for monthly issues of American Survival Guide, Handguns, Gun World, American Handgunner, as well as for annuals produced by Guns, American Handgunner, and Guns & Ammo. Pat has also tested thousands of knives, both for knife magazines (like Knives Illustrated) and for his own use. He has also designed several knives that are currently being produced. He spent more than …


Pat’s Product Review: Ruger SR40 Pistol

The handgun under review in this article is, the Ruger SR 40. The SR40 is the bigger brother to the 9mm Parabellum Ruger SR9. I jumped on the SR9 when it came out, as did many other gun writers. However, the new SR9 wasn’t without some birthing pains. The trigger pull was very gritty, and there were some reports of the SR9 firing if dropped. Ruger is quick to acknowledge when there is a problem, and they quickly sent out a recall for the first run of SR9s. Most owners got their guns back within a couple weeks – with …


Magazine Ban Legislation: Ignorant Statists and Terminology-Challenged Journalists, Unite!

Democrat congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine ban bill (previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog) will likely die in committee. It has attracted 90 co-sponsors–hardly a “barn burning issue.” But meanwhile, of greater concern there are several bans being pushed at the state level: The first case in point comes to by way of a Buffalo, New York newspaper headline: Gun-toting senator pushes gun safety bill. “Gun safety”??? That is pure cant. A more accurate title for the article would be: Senator pushes New York law to ban sale, purchase, or possession of 11+ round magazines. It is notable that this law would eliminate …


Letter Re: Essential Fats and Oils

Hello Mr. Rawles; It was about a year ago I stated reading SurvivalBlog. Over the course of the year, I have noticed in your advice for preparation not to forget oils. This caused me to remember a Biochemistry Class that brought up the subject of essential dietary oils. These Three oils are required in the diet. Like the essential amino acids they are not manufactured by the body and are need in the diet. These oils are Alpha-Linoleic acid (ALA), Linoleic (LA) and Oleic acids. This writing is meant to be more for introductory information not as a detailed paper. …


Letter Re: Seeking Advice on Household Moves with Firearms and Ammunition

Sir, What advice could you give for moving one’s store of firearms and ammo a considerable distance in a relocation within the continental Unites States?  I am in one of the reasonably free northern New England states and figure that if I can make it through New York state without being stopped I can breathe a relative sigh of relief.  Still, I envision a scenario where the vehicle with the supplies is never left unattended.  And if I had to make this move alone I would consider doing so in a motor home so that I would only have to …


Letter Re: The Coming Shortage of Nickels

Jim,    Your readers might be interested to know that banks [where I live in California] have started charging a fee for rolled U.S [five cent piece] nickels. I’ve been going to Wells Fargo Bank ever since you wrote about the subject, several years ago, gradually obtaining nickels at cost.  Yesterday, I found that they’ve begun charging 7.5% per $100 box.  Another local bank, beginning in March, has started charging 10% per roll of nickels.  Word is getting out: Gresham’s Law is intact. –  Paul B.


Five Letters Re: Food Storage Extremes – Avoiding the Expensive Pitfalls

Dear Mr. Rawles: First, thank you for the service and information you provide – it is invaluable. Secondly, I’d like to respond to John L.’s letter regarding prepping in an urban/suburban location. Despite his condescending tone that immediately set my teeth on edge, I read the piece hoping to learn from it. Sadly, I only learned that John L.’s ideas of preparation do not coincide with mine. At first glance, I’m quite sure that John L would look at me and my situation and right me off as clueless and deluded. I recently lost everything I owned – my house, …


Economics and Investing:

Lynn G. mentioned this disturbing article about the bankrupt city of Vallejo, California: Broke Town, U.S.A. John R. suggested this: Egon von Greyerz: “A Hyperinflationary Deluge Is Imminent”, And Why, Therefore, Bernanke’s Motto Is “Après Nous Le Déluge” Utah House Passes Bill Recognizing Gold, Silver as Legal Tender. (A nice gesture and a good start, but what we need to do is abolish the Federal Reserve and reinstitute a Constitutional bi-metallic currency system for the nation.) Reader C.D.V. sent several inks: Investors Are Seeking Safety in New Harbors: Dollar, Once a Favored Refuge, Loses Ground to Yen, Franc US Standard …