Pat’s Product Review: Benchmade’s 63 Bali-Song Bowie

I still remember when I first laid my hands on a “butterfly” style knife – it was back in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1986 or 1987. I thought they were a bit strange-looking, to say the least. And the examples I handled were all very cheaply made on top of it all. I just didn’t get what all the fuss was about, watching people doing the “twirl” with the butterfly knives – they had to whipped these knives out of their pockets and fling them around, until they opened and locked in their hand. Seemed like a lot of work, …


Letter Re: Paddle Magazine Releases for HK Family Rifles

Captain Rawles, I would like to tell your readers about a piece missing on HK Model 91s and clones, except for some Vectors.  This is the paddle magazine release.  With this latest skyrocketing of prices and the cheap availability of HK .308 magazines, you have suggested these type rifles.  I have had my beloved PTR for years, but only recently had what I consider the most important upgrade added to it: My paddle magazine release.  The G3 rifle (which all these are civilian copies of) had the paddle magazine release, but since it also used the pushpin mount/hole for the …


Letter Re: Weasel Words in Pending Federal Gun Legislation

Captain Rawles: I read the text of the draft Toomey-Manchin-Schumer Amendment. It does not define the word “publication.” Because there are several common definitions of the word, including the transitive verb ,”publish” could include just telling two or more people at once that you have a gun for sale.  Also the “safe travel” provision does not include magazines, so if you are stopped in New York or Connecticut or Maryland with a 30 round mag while driving from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire (for example) then you are a felon.  Also NY SAFE act bans transport of Guns AND Ammo,  the …


Recipe of the Week:

Matt The Teacher’s Cranberry Pumpkin Pie Spice Hard Tack I’ve tried many of the  hardtack recipes that are floating around on the web (including some that have been featured here on SurvivalBlog) and I find that most of them are so bland that they make Saltines seem like a five course meal!  So, I decided to mix things up a little bit and what I came up with is something I’ve dubbed…  Cranberry Pumpkin Pie Spice Hardtack: 4C unbleached flour (you can go 50/50 with whole wheat or all whole wheat but I personally don’t like it) 2C rolled oats …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Joe K. sent: Obama’s 2014 Budget Proposal Addresses Coin Composition Changes Damon sent: Railcar Loadings Drop Most Year-To-Date Since Crisis   Items from The Economatrix: Deflationary Fears The Main Reason For Commodities Selloff? Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: EMU Plot Curdles As Creditors Seize Cyprus Gold Reserves Commodities Slump As “Death Bell Rings”; US Stocks Drop


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. suggested this at the Popular Science web site: You Built What?!: A Tractor For The Apocalypse    o o o US rice imports ‘contain harmful levels of lead’. Buy American-grown rice!    o o o I heard that Camping Survival is now selling Life Straw water filters for just $19.95, with free shipping.    o o o Police, ‘anti-gun’ prosecutor clash with soldiers in area around Fort Hood    o o o Pierre M. sent: Bird Flu Causing Suffocation Shows Severe Spectrum of New Virus    o o o Elastic use of the Commerce Clause: Amish Prosecuted Because Scissors …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 46 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 three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


Spiritual Preparedness for Hard Times, by ZeBo

In preparing for hard times, it has long been my belief that the first priority of Christian men and women must be preparing spiritually for the difficult road ahead. The church and culture of the United States have grown very soft, and, unlike our forefathers, most Christians in America today have little experience coping with hard times. We live in a culture that believes in having an insurance policy or material solution for any crisis that life brings our way. This applies down to the smallest personal tragedies, with only a handful of exceptions, and leaves us woefully underprepared to …


Letter Re: COMEX Precious Metals Market Dips

James, Many reader may be stunned by the drop in COMEX silver prices. However, holders of physical silver need not despair. The price to obtain actual coins has hardly been affected at all. Both Kitco and eBay testify to this: On Kitco, single silver eagles are now $29.10, or $4.15 over the Friday silver Comex close of $25.95 and a monster box of 500 eagles at $14,300 is still $28.60 each. Kitco at present is not even listing “junk silver bags”, they’re just not available through them (sometimes this happens), but others are selling the $1,000 face value bags of …


Letter Re: Advice on U.S. Military Service

Dear James, Concerning joining the military and prepping:  If the person has the aptitude then joining the Navy Seabees [Construction Battalion] would definitely be something to consider. The Seabees are primarily builders but do get training to fight.  Being as they are not “combat” troops the deployment should be less than a combat arm. And the training [they provide] as a builder would be very handy if the Schumer Hits The Fan. Best Regards, – Jim M.


Economics and Investing:

US Shale Industry Set for a Second Boom with Waterflood Technology Governor Paul LePage: Beretta, Colt and Magpul—Come to Maine. The Texas Governor says Ditto! Portugal’s elder statesman calls for ‘Argentine-style’ default. (Thanks to Andre D. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: More Than 101 Million Working-Age Americans Do Not Have A Job Authorities Seize $50M In Gold From Private Owner Why Are The Banksters Telling Us To Sell Our Gold When They Are Hoarding Gold?


Odds ‘n Sods:

More troubling privacy news: Secrets of FBI Smartphone Surveillance Tool Revealed in Court Fight and IRS: We can read emails without warrant. (Thanks to G.G. and R.B.S. for the links.)    o o o Reader B.B. sent this: York Arms Cancels All Its New York Police Orders    o o o The ultimate “Angry Beaver” story: Beaver Bites Man To Death In Belarus Attack. (A hat tip to Pierre M.)    o o o B.B. sent: Newly Approved Arms Trade Treaty Could Shut Down Flow of Surplus Ammo. This will surely mean short supplies and higher prices, so I recommend …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

April 13, 1743 was the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. (He died on July 4, 1826 just a few hours before the death of John Adams. How patriotic of both of them to pass away on the Fourth of July.) — Today we present another entry for Round 46 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 three-day civilian courses. …