Letter Re: Better Than Sterno

Dear JWR: I have used Sterno alcohol gel fuel when camping or hunting for years. About a dozen years back I discovered a better product than Sterno for about one tenth the cost. My local Sam’s Club sells a hand sanitizer under their Maker’s Mark label. A two liter jug of this with a hand pump sells for as low as $5.50 when it is on sale. It has a built in hand pump and I always have one in the shop. I started using this as a substitute for Sterno when I was packing for a fishing trip and …


Economics and Investing:

C.T.L. sent this: Bailed-Out Banks Slip Toward Failure. From The Daily Bell: Brownian Schism–Ellen Brown Restoring Credit with a Publicly-owned Bank: The Model of the Bank of North Dakota. The article begins: “Neither states in the U.S. nor those in the eurozone can print their own money, but they can own banks, which can create bank credit on their books just as all banks do.” El Jefe Jeff E. suggested this Wall Street Journal report: The Price of Silver is Soaring. Items from The Economatrix: Silver Will Be Worth More Than Gold   If You Haven’t Bought Silver Yet, Read …


Inflation Watch:

The UK inflation genie is out of the bottle Grain Prices Heading Higher In 2011 On Tight Supplies, Rabobank Says More from our friends in Appenzell, at The Daily Bell: Inflation Heard Round the World Ex Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012 Gulf CEO: Oil May Near $150 a Barrel by Summer


Odds ‘n Sods:

At least a dozen readers sent this: Ashton Kutcher Predicts Worthless Currency And Mass Panic, Recommends Getting As Buff As Possible.    o o o News from Lincoln, Nebraska: Twenty police respond to man playing with crossbow in his backyard, seize house. Here is the relevant statute from the Lincoln, Nebraska web site: “9.36.050 Discharge of Weapons and Other Instruments Unlawful.” JWR’s Advice: I recommend avoiding these ludicrous jurisdictional entanglements by locating your family well outside of city limits!    o o o I was saddened to hear that Aaron S. Zelman died on December 21st. He was 64 years …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


My First Year Raising Broiler Chickens, by R.W.L.

I’m writing to share stories and lessons from my first year raising chickens for meat for my family and for sale. Knowing the tricks to successfully raising your own meat could really be a game-changer post TEOTWAWKI, so I want to spread this wealth of information I’ve gleaned in hopes that others may benefit.   I followed the model popularized by Joel Salatin where the chickens are put into mobile pens that move along the ground to a new, fresh piece of pasture each day.  Receiving day old chicks in the mail from the hatchery and watching them grow is a …


Letter Re: Clothing for Long-Term Scenarios

Mr. Rawles, First let me say how much I enjoyed your novel “Patriots“, I have read it three times now and am eagerly awaiting its planned sequels. I just wanted to mention/remind your readers as to the importance of sturdy clothing in a “Grid Gone” scenario. It is my belief our clothing (very taken for granted) will suddenly become an extremely important part of life and not just “frosting on the cake” so to speak. I was reminded of this when I had a yard sale one day and a woman from an ex-soviet satellite country arrived as an “early bird”, she was returning …


Economics and Investing:

Life imitates art, right down to the terminology: ‘Doubling Up’ in Recession-Strained Quarters. (Thanks to Shawn M. for the link.) Bailed Out Banks on Brink of Bankruptcy — Again John R. sent these two items by Dave Cohen: Borrow Like There’s No Tomorrow  and The Debt Countdown Begins     Rosenberg: Housing Double-Dip Straight Ahead Items from The Economatrix: After Holiday Spree, Doubts About Economy Linger   Two Charts Which Tell The Whole Story   Open Interest In Silver Continues To Rise / Troubles In Major US Cities   Silver Is The Biggest Sleeper Of All   $500 Silver And …


Odds ‘n Sods:

As we near the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol, we should remember: The U.S. M1911 & The Medal of Honor. OBTW, the article begins with mention of my grandfather Ernest E. Rawles‘s friend, Frank Luke. They were mountain climbing buddies in Arizona, circa 1916. But FWIW, several accounts mention Luke being armed with a revolver rather than a .45 automatic.    o o o Matthew B. suggested a winter storm article that illustrates a great reason to be as prepared as possible and not rely on “the system” to take care of …



Two Letters Re: The Legalities of Preparedness

Jim:  Like Ed S. I purchased several rolls of new razor wire to string up in case of a sudden rash of nearby home invasions.  I bought it on eBay along with some used razor wire gloves (they have steel in the palms and digits) to enable speedy deployment without losing a lot of blood.  At the farm supply store I bought a couple boxes of hog rings and some hog ring pliers, as well as some small steel conduit straps and a box of screws for mounting the deployed razor wire.  (Two or more parallel coils can be joined …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


Spreading the Word–Working Toward a Community Food Reserve, by Rex C.

“No man is an island…” – John Donne Readers of SurvivalBlog.com tend to have an independent streak, and our attitudes toward preparedness and degrees of readiness vary accordingly. Some of us have unplugged from the grid and are completely self-reliant, many have dreams of doing so at some point, while some of us are a little behind the curve and playing catch-up. Others are new to the field and are making what preparations they can in their current circumstances. Whatever our individual temperament, most of us are members of a community–a church, a neighborhood, an extended family–and we need to …


Letter Re: The Legalities of Preparedness

James,   I have been looking at various posting all across the spectrum of prepping and I haven’t seen anyone mention being legal in their preparations. Here’s what brought this to mind. I recently purchased six rolls of brand new, never used razor wire. I’m not sure how many SurvivalBlog readers have military/police/corrections backgrounds. If you have fooled with the stuff, you know to be careful. If you haven’t, I’d suggest looking for something easier.  I strung a single strand around my backyard on three sides, just below the level of the four foot tall chain link that surrounds my property. …