Category: Field Gear

I Love Sharp Things, by Phil M.

In any survival situation a defective tool is pretty much worthless and will cost you dearly in frustration or even your life. I’m sure you can think of a lot of examples. Effective tools are a big part of my life and most all of them need to be sharp, and some of them very sharp, like chisels and planer blades. When I started thinking of all the tools that I keep sharp the list started running into the dozens, everything from a potato peeler to a chainsaw. A lot of you are like me in one way or another …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books: The Simplicity Primer, by Patrice Lewis ZeroGov:Limited Government, Unicorns and Other Mythological Creatures, by Bill Buppert  Movies: My Friend Flicka  (not the more recent remake) Music: The Best of Mary McCaslin John Hartford: Life Love & Music 5 Essential Albums 1966-1969 Podcasts: Self Reliant School EP016 Interview With JoAnn Moser – Mason Jar Nation Pantry Paratus: Chaya’s Guide to Grease: Frying Food the Right (& Nourishing) Way Instructional Videos: Some newbies might benefit from this:  How to clean fish How To Clean Your Woodstove Chimney Gear: USB Reading Lamp with 10 LED Lights and Flexible Gooseneck FLIR Scout TK …


A Life Submerged: The Gray Man Existence, by A. Smith

This article explores concealment and the Gray Man mindset and lifestyle in The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) and survival in contemporary society. The tactics, techniques, and procedures I’ll describe are taken from a military point of view.  It is not intended as an end all. It is merely a perspective on some experiences of deployments in 30 years of service to many backwater countries.  Hopefully my shared experiences will help better understand and prepare you in case something really goes wrong with our economy, natural or man-made disaster, etc. 


Letter Re: Questions on Gas

Hugh, I would like to ask a question to your other readers. What is the difference between butane, propane, CNG, and piped in home natural gas? Can they be used interchangeably? For instance, can I burn butane in my propane camp stove? Can I use propane in my refillable butane lighters? Can all of these be used in propane vehicles, et cetera? – D.H.


Even More Letters Re: Paper Road Maps

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HJL, Before we beat this map availability issue to a pulp, I would like to mention two more very important sources for maps… Don’t forget forest maps for your specific areas available at any USFS Forest HQ’s or Ranger station (around $9 each), available nation wide. The other is Bureau of Land Management maps, available at any BLM station (primarily west of the Rockies). (I would think State forest also have some type of area recreational maps.) These maps are very large and excellent for directions on logging roads, mining roads, camping areas, and off road trails to name a …


More Letters Re: Paper Maps

Hugh, Hunting and sport shops also sell detailed map books for many states. These maps are designed for hunters and show roads, in great detail, that are often not shown on typical road maps. – M.J. o o o Hugh, A recent reader post mentioned cleanroom paper, pointing out that it is very strong and durable. DuPont Tyvek was originally created as paper for cleanroom use because it does not shed fibers like pulp-made paper does. It was later discovered to be quite useful as air barrier house wrap; Dupont’s patent has expired, so a number of competitors are manufacturing …


Three More Letters Re: Paper Maps

Hugh, I agree. I bought a new 50 state Rand McNally edition this year, and it is much smaller. As far as state maps, I know the welcome center to PA does offer free maps of PA yet, at least when coming from NJ. Maps are harder and harder to find though, and I agree that we should stock up while they’re still offered free or at local stores. When planning trips, I have often contacted the states we were planning to visit and they sent free information. Most times a state map was included. I do not like GPS …


Three Letters Re: Paper Maps

Hugh / Jim, In reference to the short article on road maps, I offer two things: Folding paper maps are still available at AAA, free to members or to customers through their travel agency. (Ask a friend or family member to pick a few up for you.) Regarding the Gazetteers, these are the best general purpose map books you can get for the state you live or travel in. They are available at every Mart store for around $20. They are exact copies of topographical maps in your (state) area, including remote and back country areas, which in turn will …


Three Letters Re: Road Maps

Dear Jim, As a very long time ebayer, I know the site quite well. In response to where to purchase old U.S. road maps (and indeed other countries), currently there are almost 3000 maps on ebay. Some are so old that some of the newer big interstates are not on there, but the back roads and rural county roads will be. That is probably how most people will plan their bugging out. – H.L. o o o Hugh, In a recent letter, reader C.B. notes that Rand McNally’s map book is sometimes the only available map of the area. From …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: CRKT Trencher

If you stop and think about it, everything I cover on our website, be it knives, guns, or water filters, are tools. They’re tools for survival in one shape or another. Many people simply look at a knife or a gun and consider them as “weapons”, and they are. However, they are still tools designed for specific tasks. Some firearms are designed for self defense, some are designed for hunting, and some are designed for target shooting. The same goes for knives; some are for self defense or everyday use, some for dressing out game, and some for use around …


Letter: Road Maps

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Hugh, On two recent trips this summer, one two week trip to eastern Pennsylvania and one to Las Vegas, I tried to find the old style folding road maps. In Pennsylvania’s Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, and both Pocono’s and New Jersey shore area, at every gas station I stopped at, I asked about folding paper road maps. At some of the more modern stations I was met with a quizzical stare. I finally settled on a Rand McNally book. Fortunately, having grown up in that area, I knew my way around. I did find a paper map of the Las …


Quick Reference Manual Regarding Disaster Survival and Recovery on the Road- Part 2, by J.P.R.

C. MASSIVE EMP (ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSE) ELECTRICAL FAILURE Identify Level of Failure The power grid is down Your cell phone is dead Your land line may not work Most electronic devices do not work or are impaired Your car will not start or stopped running Airplanes are falling from the sky Small fires or explosions may be observed This is a different event than a regular power failure. In this case, the power grid and many electronic devices have been permanently damaged. This is more serious than a power grid failure, depending on whether it is in a small or large …


Guest Article: SHTF Intelligence – Getting Started- Part Three, by Samuel Culper

This is the third article in a series about using intelligence for preparedness. I’m starting from square zero in order to introduce a new crop of Americans to the concept of using intelligence, to prove that there’s a need for intelligence and to get readers quickly up to speed on how to incorporate it into their security planning. For a better foundation, be sure to read Part One and Part Two and check out the Ultimate ACE Startup Guide, too. Brief Recap In the first article, we established that prepared communities need intelligence because they’re going to have blind spots …


Letter Re: Rethinking Wound Care

HJL, What the writer says is spot on for infection occurring more often in warm and moist conditions. One note here, however. Flies in a wound are going to lay eggs and you are going to get maggots. As disgusting as that sounds, it might not be a bad thing. Maggots have been used for centuries to debride wounds. (Debride means to remove non-viable tissue.) Maggots only eat the dead tissue, which is where the infection is at its worst. The less infection present the easier it is for the bodies defensive mechanisms to fix the problem. I first became …


Letter Re: Two Things Old-Timers Knew, That You Must Know About Wound Care

There are two things old timers knew that you must know about wound care, if the patient is outside. The wounds of a person or animal all will be affected greatly be these two things. If you are not able to see a doctor or get to an air-conditioned facility, such as a hospital, these two things could save your life. You need to know them. Two days ago my daughter was riding her beloved pony and our cows were a bit scared by the dog who was faithfully looking out for our daughter. She usually doesn’t ride near the …