All-American Tool Manufacturers

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Following up on my recently-posted list of field gear makers that have all American-made products, I’ve compiled a comparable list of American tool makers. The Sell-Outs Some companies that have long been thought of as “American” companies now produce most or all of their tools overseas. For example, Craftsman (the Sears house brand) now produces many of their tools in Asia. Others include: Cooper, Disston, Eastwood, Greenlee, Lufkin, Milwaukee, Peerless, Porter Cable, Shurlite, Snap-On, Thorsen, Vise-Grip, Vermont American, Weller, Williams, and Winchester. The many, many others are almost too numerous to list. Some of the “good guy” companies that I …


Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Mr. Rawles: If I get the downloadable “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” can I print out a copy for my reference binder? Is that considered okay? (I have a giant binder with 4″ rings that my husband got in the Navy that we use for all our prepping references, except for recipes.) With My Regards, – Sheila C. JWR Replies: Yes, since you are legitimately downloading it, you are certainly welcome to print out a reference copy for your own use.


Letter Re: If Life Gives You Tomatoes, Make Salsa!

Dear James, Thank you to S.M. for the great article about gardening in the desert southwest (If Life Gives You Tomatoes, Make Salsa!). I’ve spent most of my years in the desert southwest near the metros of Tucson, Las Cruces, and Albuquerque and have grown gardens in these regions for the past decade. In 2010 a similar article was published in SurvivalBlog titled Starting Your Desert Backyard Garden. I was one of several readers that submitted some helpful comments and tips on that article. This is my fourth season growing in the high desert of Northern New Mexico. I’m at …


Economics and Investing:

B.B. sent: Unemployment rates up in 90 percent of U.S. cities – CBS News Jerry Robinson: No Fed ‘Taper’ in 2013 An interesting new product: “Breakable” Valcambi 50 gram Gold Bars Items from The Economatrix: High Gas Prices: Relief At The Pump Coming Soon Meredith Whitney:  Detroit Bankruptcy A “Game Changer” Here’s What Happens When A Central Bank Goes Bust Consumer Confidence Surges To Six-Year High Boosted By Soaring Gas Prices And Mortgage Rates


Odds ‘n Sods:

9 Point Comb to Toe Chicken Check Up & DIY Antiseptic Ointment. (Thanks to James W. for the link.)    o o o Andre D. forwarded this link: Warning to tourists in France after attack by feral cats    o o o Fellow blogger Ol’ Remus recommended a piece over at Club Orlov: The Sea Gypsy Tribe Start-up Manual    o o o Pastor Chuck Baldwin: Ear Tickling, Entertainment, And Irrelevant Exposition



Notes from JWR:

July 31st is the birthday of free market economist Milton Freidman (born 1912, died November 16, 2006.) — Camping Survival is having an unprecedented “10% off everything” sale from July 30th to August 1st. Take advantages and use coupon code “everything10“ — Today we present the final entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of …


If Life Gives You Tomatoes, Make Salsa! By S.M. in Arizona

Gardening in the Southwestern United States is a huge challenge!  Growing a successful garden takes hard work and a commitment to never give up.  My gardening quest began in earnest in October 2010.  Prior to 2010 I had planted seeds in the ground with few, if any, results.  I had one lemon tree and aloe vera plants (part of my first aid kit, used for burns, skin irritations, etc.) that grew without much help from me.  A friend, who was a master gardener, gave a class one Saturday on how to start a garden.  He taught basic desert gardening and …


Letter Re: Practice, Cub Scouts, BB Guns, and the Old Guy

Dear Jim and Readers, I want to start out with a little bit of pre-history. About five weeks ago I had my first heart attack, and the doc installed a stint. That was a wake-up call! Wow. Of course the subject by the doc was diet, lose the lard, get exercise. I started losing by cutting back, but I needed a bit more help. Work would be nice, it would help with my activity level plus I needed some extra finances to come in as some big bills were hitting all at once. So when all these things begin to …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Karl G. suggested this by William A. Levinson: How the Cooper Color Code Explains ‘Stand Your Ground,’ and Prevents Crime    o o o Todd Savage of Survival Retreat Consulting wrote to mention that he has been successful is finding retreats for a large number of clients this year. He also mentioned that he is offering a 50% discount for clients who retain his services during the month of August, 2013.    o o o “Lithium is no longer available on credit.” Back to Land Lines? Cell Phones May Be Dead by 2015    o o o Reader B.G. …



Notes from JWR:

Today we remember the birthday of author Reginald Bretnor. He was born Alfred Reginald Kahn on July 30, 1911, in Vladivostok. He died on July 22, 1992 in Medford, Oregon. In addition to penning many witty science fiction novels and short stories in his characteristic style, he also wrote nonfiction survivalist articles for Mel Tappan’s P.S. Letter — Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A …


Bone Broth, a.k.a. Stone Soup, by H.A.

Bone broth is slow-simmered broth, made with bones.  Vegetables and/or vegetable scraps are also sometimes used, as is a shot of vinegar to help leach the minerals from the bones.  Bone broth is healthful and frugal. Why make bone broth?  For starters, prepping can be expensive!  Being frugal makes prepping easier.  Bone broth can be “almost” free to make, from items that you don’t even realize that you have, hence the “Stone Soup” title.   Also, bone broth is chock-full of minerals and nutrients, which is always a good thing, but especially so if/when the “balloon goes up”, when staying healthy …


Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Mr. Rawles: If I get the downloadable “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” can I print out a copy for my reference binder? Is that considered okay? (I have a giant binder with 4″ rings that my husband got in the Navy that we use for all our prepping references, except for recipes.) With My Regards, – Sheila C. JWR Replies: Yes, since you are legitimately downloading it, you are welcome to print out a reference copy for your own use.