Category: Field Gear

MyTopo Waterproof Topographical Maps, by Thomas Christianson

Have you ever tried to read a map in the rain? Or a map that got wet when a canoe tipped over? Or a map that accidentally got dropped in creek that you were crossing? If you have, you know that water and maps are not on very friendly terms with each other. MyTopo Waterproof Topographical Maps offer outdoorsmen a more weather-resistant navigational aid than traditional paper maps. MyTopo maps are waterproof, frostproof, and stand up to repeated folding better than traditional paper maps. They are available in the newest post-2009 USGS quads, the classic pre-2009 USGS quads, game management …


Sagan Life AquaBrick Spigot, by Thomas Christianson

Sometimes small things can have a big impact. A little salt and pepper can really enhance the flavor of a boiled egg. The tiny cruise control can make driving a large vehicle much more pleasant. And a relatively tiny rudder can guide the mightiest ship across the trackless deep. The Sagan Life AquaBrick Spigot is a small object that greatly enhances the ease of use of the Sagan Life AquaBrick Water Storage Container. Without the spigot, it can be somewhat awkward to pour water from the AquaBrick into a smaller container like a water bottle. With the spigot, the task …


Ontario RAT 2 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

With a 3-inch, satin-finish, flat-ground, drop-point blade made out of AUS-8 stainless steel, an OD green nylon handle, and a cost of just $38.95 at Blade HQ at the time of this writing, the Ontario RAT 2 folding knife represents an excellent value for a solid, well-designed everyday carry (EDC) knife. This knife is one of my favorites in the under $50 price range. If you need a good EDC knife and don’t have a lot of the green stuff, this one is worth a second look. Background Back in 2021, I reviewed the Ontario RAT 1 model for SurvivalBlog. …


Cleveland Kydex Axe Sheath, by Thomas Christianson

I have a Cleveland Kydex Axe Sheath for my Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe. The sheath does an excellent job of protecting the blade from damage. It also protects surrounding objects from being damaged by the blade. The sheath is tough, has stood up well to a year of hard use, stays on the blade well, and is easy to slide on or off. The primary advantage of a Kydex sheath over leather is that Kydex does not attract and hold moisture as leather is often prone to do. It is also more wear and weather-resistant than leather. Cleveland Kydex …


Swiza D03 Pocket Knife, by Thomas Christianson

With its locking blade, ergonomic shape, and easily gripped scales, the Swiza D03 is an attempt to update the venerable Swiss Army Knife into a modern everyday carry (EDC) knife. Unfortunately, its lack of ambidextrous one-handed-opening and a pocket-clip leave its performance lacking. For people who prefer a traditional pocket knife to a modern EDC knife, the D03 will be more than adequate. For people like me who prefer the ease of access and deployment provided by a pocket clip and a provision for ambidextrous one-handed opening, the D03 will fail to satisfy. The D03 had a manufacturer-suggested retail price …


Bear Edge 61135 Fixed Blade Knife, by Thomas Christianson

Bear Edge modestly identifies their Model 61135 as a “Cushioned Utility Grip” knife. Although I found it to be highly useful as a utility knife in work around the property, I feel that the 61135 is also almost ideally formed to serve as a hunting knife. Many hunting knives are a bit too large. Many buyers imagine Jim Bowie at the Alamo. Then they buy a knife more appropriately sized to be a fighting knife than a hunting knife. The problem with such large blades is that they can be awkward for field-dressing game. There is a reason that surgery …


Tools For The Next Generation

In this article, I’d like to emphasize the importance of tools that will be needed by our descendants. To begin, I’d like to stress the importance of buying quality tools. Don’t buy junk tools from Mainland China, often sold at places like Wal-Mart and Harbor Freight. I prefer tools made by companies like Snap-On, MAC, Matco, Irwin, Stahlwille (of Germany), Proto (called Plomb in the company’s early days), SK, Klein, Husky (pre-Taiwan), Cornwell, Kobalt (pre-China), Facom (of France), Worx, Fiskars (of Finland), Knipex, Ridgid, and Craftsman (pre-China). Sadly, many tool companies like Craftsman, Husky, Kobalt, and Stanley have moved part …


The Final Countdown: Last-Minute Readiness Checks – Part 2, by Michael X.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Water List This is an item for the first three days. This is super important and needs to be one of the first items confirmed. Check locations and condition of water sources: Bottled Water/Stored water containers Well water (power dependent) Lake water – are there containers to carry and larger containers to store lake water? Is there a rainwater collection option available? Is the Berkey/Filtered water system ready? Can the tub be successfully filled with water from the system before the power goes out or the line pressure is gone? Can I …


The Final Countdown: Last-Minute Readiness Checks – Part 1, by Michael X.

Hypothetically, (of course), assume for a moment that the proverbial fan has been hit. Now you have three days….or two weeks….or two months…until the consequences of the event hit where you are. Good luck guessing how long it takes to hit you. Are you as ready as you can be? Are you sure? How do you know? How and when it hits you, whatever it may be, may be based on three key things: the type/cause of disaster, your proximity to the disaster or populated areas, and the stability of your systems (electricity, water, fuel, and human support systems). THE …


Prepper Group Training: Indigenous Guerrilla Teams – Part 2, by Bulldog

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) The Challenge To understand why I feel we are lacking in our preparation of these men and women, let us look at only one necessary skill set, team radio communications. Certainly we could agree that it represents one of the key core elements critically necessary to prepper and survivalist groups. Yet, in most cases it is overlooked or minimized by group leadership. Instead, we relegate programming to the “commo guy” and hope that after stuff hits the fan (SHTF), group members will somehow magically demonstrate more interest. Please understand that I am …


1791 Gunleather Premium Rifle Sling, by Thomas Christianson

The 1791 Gunleather Premium Rifle Sling is a nicer-than-average, leather, two-point rifle sling. It is expertly handcrafted in the USA of American heavy native steerhide with a slip-resistant suede backing. The workmanship is excellent, with outstanding cutting, stitching, and finishing work. Full Disclosure: 1791 Gunleather is an affiliate advertiser of SurvivalBlog. SurvivalBlog will receive a small commission if you use our link to order. The sling cost $54.99 at the time of this writing from 1791gunleather.com. That is surprisingly affordable for a high-quality, handcrafted, American-made product. SurvivalBlog readers who use the discount code “survival10”, will receive an additional 10% off …


Building a Versatile AR, by Bulldog

Living the prepper lifestyle for many decades has fas its perks…well, sort of! It typically means there are mounds of extra supplies, boxes of spare parts, jars of both home and commercially canned foods, dry-canned foods, buckets of grain and beans in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, and shelving anywhere it can possibly be built. Yeah, I’ve probably left out a few things, but you get the idea. It also generally means you are often versed and proficient in tasks the average person has never even considered. This of course can be a hindrance when you and your wife are …


Kershaw Link 1776BW, by Thomas Christianson

The Kershaw Link 1776BW is a rugged everyday-carry (EDC) knife. It weighs in at 4.3 ounces and has a 3.25 inch, drop-point, hollow-ground, blackwashed-finish blade made of 420HC steel that is 0.1 inches thick. The assisted-opening blade is reliably deployed via a flipper, and is held open by a liner lock. The glass-filled nylon (GFN) handle provides an excellent grip. The overall length is 7.6 inches. Best of all, the Kershaw Link is made in the USA. The particular model that I tested has been discontinued. A similar model with an olive aluminum handle and a stonewashed-finished, CPM-Magnacut blade is …


Field Intelligence Collection – Part 6, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 5. This concludes the article.) Scent and Touch Smells and tactile input generally won’t provide a lot of significant intelligence by themselves, but there may be instances where they could be useful. For example, the smell of smoke can be detected from a long distance away, especially if you’re downwind from the source. If you’re patrolling and you smell smoke, make a note at the location using OsmAnd and include the current wind direction – that way if you don’t have time to check it out immediately it can be added as a ‘to be investigated’ item …


Field Intelligence Collection – Part 5, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 4.) Another potential standalone camera option is one of those inexpensive infrared night vision cameras. While their primary function is night vision, they can also be used to take pictures during the day. Here’s a sample from a GVDA GD900, which is a compact night vision device with a 12MP sensor and 4X digital zoom that costs around $50: