Letter Re: Swords and Bows for that Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

James: In a multigenerational TEOTWAWKI, consider having a good set of swords (and crossbows). Unlike ammo which may only last 50 years, a good sword will last hundreds. You can choose a Japanese style cutting sword, an epee or foil style piercing sword or a hacking style great sword. All other swords are some variation and combination of these types. A great sword for hacking will take the most abuse but be the heaviest. You should have great arm strength for this. A European style fencing stabbing sword requires speed over strength. If you are a wiry and fast but …


Letter Re: Inexpensive CBs for a Car Emergency Kit?

Jim: You might perhaps solicit some information from other readers relating to inexpensive CB rigs that could be carried in a car emergency kit? Kind Regards, – James C. JWR Replies: My general advice is that I’d rather spend $100 on a used (but guaranteed) SSB rig than I would a brand new-in-the-box rig that doesn’t have SSB capability. Your thoughts, folks?



Two Letters Re: Personal Hygiene in a Biowarfare World

James: Peter Hardt tis correct about hand sanitation. To which I would add that auto-inoculation (putting your fingers in your nose, eyes or ears) is now scientifically proven to be the #1 way you get a cold. See the work of Kenneth Seaton. It is basically impossible to clean the underside of our fingernails and this is the most infectious part of our body. Learn not to pick your nose or use your fingernails to rub out sleepyheads. Use a napkin or your shirt. If not, at least use your knuckles… When in public and concerned about infection, carry your …


Two Letters Re: Get Out of Dodge Considerations

Mr. Rawles, I know this is not really any kind of revelation, but it seems worth saying again. If you can’t live at your retreat, have a loaded bug out trailer or pre-position a substantial amount of provisions at your retreat. Thus, you put yourself in a far superior position. My family decided to take a spur-of-the-moment camping trip last weekend. The whole time I was getting ready, I was thinking “What if this were a bug out situation?”. Although I have most of the equipment conveniently situated in my basement, it took me almost 3 hours to load the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The online magazine Slate recently featured a piece on surviving a terrorist nuclear attack.    o o o The price of oil has sagged, (down to $66 per barrel!), dragging gold and silver down a bit. So this dip might be a great time to buy metals if you have been dragging your feet. I’m still predicting substantially higher silver and gold prices before December.    o o o We’ve been driving a lot of back roads in recent days, looking for property on behalf of a consulting client. Yesterday, we drove past a ranch that had set up a …



Notes From JWR:

The high bid for The SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a copy “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course is now at $150. Please submit your bids via e-mail, A reminder that we are seeking entries for Round 6 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $1,600.) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. If you want a chance to win Round 6, start writing and e-mail …


Letter Re: When the Economic SHTF, Which Way Will it Go?

James: I’ve been trying to figure out whether we’re going to go hyper-inflationary or depressionary when the ESHTF (Economic Schumer Hits the Fan). We’ve all been watching the .5 to 1 trillion in ARMs that are going to reset in 2007. Will this be what topples our economy? My money says yes. Here’s the housing bubble as I currently understand it. 1) 20% (more in California) of mortgages are adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) 2) 50% of people lie on the mortgages applications overstating their income 3) Many brokers lie to the borrowers about how fast the payment will go up …


Two Letters Re: Gangs and Escaped Convict Gang Members in TEOTWAWKI

Dear James, I concur with The Wanderer’s assessment of the MS-13 gang. That gang is very active in the Houston area where I currently reside. A young teenage girl recently stabbed and killed an MS-13 member in a city park (perhaps in self defense). Her lawyer had her kept in jail because they thought jail was safer for her than being free and in the public, especially since the media had to plaster images of her face everywhere. I’ve bypassed some otherwise nice real estate in the past because of MS-13 activity in near areas. I view those in gangs …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I was told that Ready Made Resources (one of our most loyal advertisers) has just received a large shipment of U.S. Army surplus battle dressings. These are typical Carlisle type dressings, but in the latest mil spec packaging. (Very tough and waterproof.) The size is 8″ x 7-1/2″ They are marked “Dressing, First Aid, Field, Camouflage” and were manufactured by Ellwyn, Inc. (“Red color indicates back of dressing, put other side next to wound….”) NSN 6510-00-201-7430. They will have about 500 available and will be selling them for just $2.50 each. Buy a bunch!    o o o Rourke flagged …



Notes From JWR:

The bidding is now up to $135 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a copy “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. The course was kindly donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. Please submit your bids via e-mail. This auction ends on September 15th. The following article was written by the winner of Round 5 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. It is a fine article that deserves special recognition. But unfortunately since Peter just recently won the writing contest, he isn’t eligible to win again for 10 more months. 🙁 So to reward him, I just sent him a …


Personal Hygiene in a Biowarfare World, by TruthFirst

It’s a new world: West Nile virus, Cryptosporidium, Anthrax, Norwalk virus, Cholera (in the Gulf States, from shellfish!), Avian Flu, Ebola, Malaria (yes, in the US!), Hepatitis C, HIV / AIDS, genetically-engineered bacteria, and the ominous and very real threat of biological warfare. Thanks to the speed of international travel, persons who would have never made it very far from the point they were infected can now circle the globe in the time it takes to develop symptoms. Someone you bump into at the mall could have contracted an exotic disease in Africa last week. The person who used the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

While on the road yesterday we were traveling though horse country. Every little herd seemed to have at lest one Paint or Appaloosa. I think that what we were witnessing was the collective maneuvering of umpteen rancher’s daughters. Obviously they all convinced daddy of their fond desires.    o o o Today we are looking ar some real estate on behalf of a consulting client. The criteria list is extensive. In this case we are looking for a remote property that is well off any expected refugee lines of drift. The property must be at least five acres and it …