Letter Re: Where to Find Quality-Made Hand Tools?

Hello, Let me tell you about an experience I had the other day and my frustration. I recently purchased some tools from Sears and got the “higher quality” Craftsman brand. One of the items purchases was a bow saw. I did not look closely at the quality of the item purchased because I thought to myself, “It is a Craftsman, they have a life time warranty.” Well, a few months later the saw broke because of bad construction. Some little nubs that were punched through the very thin sheet metal that held the saw blade in place. It does not …


Economics and Investing:

Matt B. suggested this video clip of Argentinean economist Adrian Salbuchi: Global Financial Collapse Greg C. sent this item from McPaper: Communities print their own currency to keep cash flowing D.G. suggested this from Eric Margolis at The Toronto Sun: Wall Street Ticks Off the World From G.G.: A Night with the Bears: Meredith Whitney, Nouriel Roubini, Ian Gordon and Eric Sprott put on quite a show this evening in Toronto. Items from The Economatrix: Derivatives, the New Ticking Time Bomb Politicized Accounting: No End to the Scams Soros: “Zombie” Banks Could Suck Lifeblood Out of Economy The Question that …


Odds ‘n Sods:

M.R.L. sent us a link to some fascinating details on the 1859 Carrington Solar Storm event, and some dire predictions for future similar events.    o o o Rob B. was the first of several SurvivalBlog readers that sent us this: [Low path] Bird flu found on Kentucky poultry farm Expert says strain poses little risk to humans; 20,000 chickens euthanized    o o o Greg and Kat were the first readers (of more than a dozen) that sent this Wall Street Journal article link: Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated by Spies    o o o Feld sent us this: …



Notes from JWR:

Today is the “Patriots” Book Bomb Day!!! If you have a blog, then please mention this one-day event, and if not, then please send a brief e-mail to friends and relatives on your e-mail list, today, to let folks know about “Patriots: A Novel Survival in the Coming Collapse”. The new edition features both an index and a glossary. This is the day to place an order. Please consider buying any copies for birthday and Christmas gifts early. This new edition of “Patriots”. is priced at just $10.17. UPDATE: When I last checked, it was ranked #7 on Amazon! Many, …


Backpackers of the Apocalypse: Selecting and Ultra-Lighting Your Bug-Out Bag, by John the Midwestern Hiker

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to get out of Dodge, a decent respect for the integrity of one’s spine demands that every item in your bug-out bag be submitted to a candid evaluation. Forgive me for cheekily paraphrasing the Declaration of Independence, but it does make a point that every preparedness minded individual needs to consider: if and when you need to get out fast with only the items you can carry on your back, what are you going to take, and what are you going to carry it in? The first major consideration that …


Letter Re: Knob Creek Report on Ammunition, Magazines, and Parts

Jim, I just got back from attending the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot near Fort Knox, Kentucky. I have never seen the ammo situation as bad there as it was on April 3rd to April 5th. I took four other people that have never been there and told them that they would be able to satisfy their needs at this show over any other. Boy, was I wrong! Supply on certain items was either non existent or had decreased dramatically. Several nationwide ammo dealers didn’t even show up and I have seen them there for 10 consecutive years. 9mm +P+ …


Economics and Investing:

Laura H. suggested this Wall Street Journal piece: From Bubble to Depression?, by Steven Gjerstad and Vernon L. Smith Kevin A. sent us this: Geithner’s Stress Test “A Complete Sham,” Former Federal Bank Regulator Says Items from The Economatrix: West Must Deal with $600 Trillion in Derivatives Bernanke’s Financial Rescue Plan: The Growing Prospect of a US Default. Here are two keyquotes: “It is impossible to know what the long-term effects of Bernanke’s excessive spending will be, but his plan has the potential to trigger hyperinflation or spark a run on the dollar.”, and: “The recent 22 percent uptick in …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Italy quake toll rises amid hunt for victims    o o o Michael H. suggested stockpiliing some candy, as a small supplement to a family food storage program–just as a bit of psychological first aid. (In my experience, hard candy such as lemon drops have the best storage life.)    o o o Cheryl (the Economatrix) recommended this article: Survivalists 2.0: Regular people get ready for the worst



Note from JWR:

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 8th) is Book Bomb Day! This is a reminder to please wait until tomorrow to order your copies of the new edition of my novel “Patriots”. The new edition features both an index and a glossary. Many thanks for making the launch of the new edition a success. OBTW, brief positive reviews at various forums and on Amazon.com would also be greatly appreciated. Coincidentally, I’ve been told that April 8th of this year is also a special Jewish blessing (mitzvah) day, called Birkat Hachamah, “the sun blessing”. This blessing is recited just once every 28 years. I …


Letter Re: Preparedness Mindset and Logistics Pay Dividends

Hi James, I am 30 years old and began my survival mindset when I was about 25. I am a single father of three and that is part of what motivated me to begin to prepare years ago. 2008 was a real eye opener for me though as it all begin to hit home. I began to sell off my possessions when times got tough. Eventually I had to file bankruptcy and move my family into a smaller more affordable place. Settled in our new place I began adjusting thinking the worst was over, I was wrong within two months …


Letter Re: Bastion Structures and Vauban Architecture

Jim, I remember a while back there was some chatter about building fortifications and the subject of “bastions” was brought up. Bastions, of course, being the protrusions from castle walls that allow all exterior walls and outside corners to be defended from within the fortification. Well, I was looking at some aerial photos of the epicenter of the recent Italian earthquake and found this fortification – in L’Aquila, Italy. It is a perfect example of a structure for which not one single inch of exterior wall cannot be defended from within. The various angles guarantee that fire can be directed …


Letter Re: That Leaking Body in Your Living Room

Sir, There have been innumerable discussions on this web site, and others across the internet, about the mindset, preparations, training and physical responses to the use of deadly force. Every gun owner (or would be owner) has had to ask themselves if they have what it takes to kill another human being. We all know the argument. When it comes down to life or death, you or them, could you pull the trigger? Let’s assume, for the sake of this segment, that your answer is yes. Now let me present you with a hypothetical situation: It’s TEOTWAWKI. Infrastructure is nonexistent. …


Letter: Re: Storing Emergency Supplies in Plastic Tote Bins for Rapid Evacuation

Dear Mr. Rawles, R.D. of Wyoming mentioned a very practical way of storing supplies – in 22 gallon plastic tote bins, each with a good variety of items to last about one month. Perhaps this is a basic system for many, but I hadn’t thought of it myself and plan to rearrange our storage items in a similar manner as soon as I can. Presently, I am laid up with a broken leg so am ‘dead in the water’ for working on our storage program. My darling husband is tolerant of my ‘hobby’ but is definitely not one to work …