Category: Field Gear

Letter Re: Strike Anywhere Matches

HJL, With all this talk about Strike Anywhere matches, I have to point out the obvious– that’s old technology. If you want to start a fire (anywhere), use a Benzomatic self-igniting torch. Various models are available at big box stores for between $24.97 and $42.97. I’ve used one to start our wood fireplace for about five years before I had to switch out the gas cylinder. You can set soaking wet wood on fire with one. – G.G. HJL Replies: I can see the benefits of using such a device from the home or vehicle. However, when backpacking, it’s tough …


Letter Re: Strike-anywhere Matches

HJL, I have just a quick follow-up to the recent Odds & Sods note about how bad current Strike Anywhere matches have become. Instructables has directions for making your own. HJL responds: Given the scarcity of Strike Anywhere matches where I live (and the poor quality), I’m inclined to try this. If anyone else does, make sure you follow reasonable safety precautions, including ventilation. Given that you are working with wet materials, the danger should be minimal in all aspects except the removal of the phosphorus from the box. Remember that phosphorus is toxic; you should minimize contact with your …


Letter Re: Strike Anywhere Matches

HJL, A couple of years ago I went through the process of trying to find reliable strike-anywhere matches as Odds-n-Sods on Monday. As the writer in the linked article at http://kissurvival.com/strike-anywhere-matches/ I rejected the Diamond Green Tip (absolute trash!) and Redbird. I considered the Penley brand that he finally recommends, but after reading reviews on Amazon and other sites decided to look for something better. After some research, I settled on the excellent strike-anywhere matches made by UCO– the same people who make splendid stormproof matches. I could not find a local retailer for the strike-anywhere, but you can buy …


Scot’s Product Review: ARMASIGHT Spark CORE

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Seeing in the dark is huge. Danger comes in the darkness, while darkness can also provide cover to move effectively and to counter attack. The military calls night vision a force multiplier, and the ability of American troops to see in the dark with night vision technology has provided us with a dramatic edge in conflicts since WW II. As preppers, night vision could be invaluable. Controlling predators that could take out our livestock or damage our crops is one critical use, while defending our homes is another obvious one. The first night vision gear was German and based on …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers

Disclaimer: I make no pretense that I’m an expert in electronics, batteries, or devices that use batteries in them. However, as I’ve stated numerous times in my SurvivalBlog articles, I’m a serious student, and I’m always increasing my learning curve on many subjects. I have many devices that use all battery sizes, with AA and AAA batteries being the most commonly used batteries. We were always buying batteries and would rotate through them, all to no avail! Before we could rotate through our battery supply, some of the Alkaline batteries would already be dead or leaking. That’s not a good …


Scot’s Product Review: Horseshoe Leather Products

Horseshoe Leather Products http://www.holsters.org/index.htm isn’t one of the best known holster makers, but that doesn’t really matter. What is important is that it is one of the best holster makers on the planet. Horseshoe holsters are of impeccable quality and superbly designed for the concealed carry of handguns. One of the keys to this high level of quality is that Horseshoe is a one man shop and each holster is handmade for each customer by Horseshoe’s owner, Andy Arratoonian. If he made it, it bears the distinctive Horseshoe symbol he hand stamps on every item. The quality of Arratoonian’s work …


Scot’s Product Review: Burris Handgun Scope 2x20mm

This review is a bit overdue. Burris Optics was kind enough to let me borrow their Burris Handgun Scope 2x20mm to try on several projects, but somehow I kept writing about the projects and never got around to saying much about the scope. The short and sweet rating is I liked it well enough to buy it, but I should tell you more. The first thing I like about the scope is the Burris Forever Warranty, which covers everything other than loss, theft, or deliberate damage. In other words, if I don’t smack it with a hammer after missing a …


Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Coast HP5R Rechargeable Flashlight

My wife, bless her heart, is always making fun of me about all the flashlights I have all over the house, as well as in vehicles, and even on my person. Right now, there are three flashlights sitting on my two-drawer filing cabinet, next to my computer desk. On the end table, on my end of the sofa, sit three more flashlights, and there are three more on my nightstand. There’s always one in my jacket pocket, too, and let’s not forget the one or two on the kitchen table and some emergency battery-operated lanterns in the living room, and …


PVC Survival Gear: How to Make It – Part 5, by J.H.

PROJECT 5: PVC Survival Staff (Walking Staff, Blow Gun, Frog Gig, Fish Spear, Survival Kit)- continued Today, we’re continuing to work through the steps of how to make a survival staff, walking staff, blow gun, frog gig, fish spear, and survival kit. It is versatile and can be whatever you choose to make it and used however you need it. We’ve completed the MAIN section and are currently working on the section containing the frog gig tines. So let’s continue with the process. STEPS: We now want to take this frog gig tines section and connect it to the MAIN …


PVC Survival Gear: How to Make It – Part 4, by J.H.

PROJECT 5: PVC Survival Staff (Walking Staff, Blow Gun, Frog Gig, Fish Spear, Survival Kit) This is one of my favorite PVC build projects! It’s fun to make and can be made with “attachment” pieces for a multitude of different options. The design example I will be using for this article is more basic than some of my very intricate designs. However, I feel this is the most “user friendly” PVC staff build I can explain. There are more “parts” to this piece of survival equipment than the previous projects. If this seems to be too much and you want …


PVC Survival Gear: How to Make It – Part 3, by J.H.

PROJECT 3: The PVC Quiver As with the PVC bow, there are several different types of PVC quivers that can be made. A really simple, no heat version is as easy as taking 2” diameter Schedule 40 PVC pipe that is 18” in length and filling the bottom 1/4 of the pipe with Great Stuff or another spray foam. This easy quiver can be fashioned to receive a belt, can be set on the ground for target shooting, or modified however you would like to attach it to yourself or your gear. Poke your arrows into the foam or drill …


PVC Survival Gear: How to Make It – Part 2, by J.H.

PROJECT 2: The PVC Recurve Bow There are several different types of PVC bows that can be made using heat, minimal heat, or no heat. The example I will be using here is a recurve bow, using heat, that has an approximate draw weight of 35 pounds. You can change the draw weight by changing the length or diameter of the PVC pipe you choose. I have built bows with a draw weight of up to 70lbs, and I have seen others that have made bows with a pull exceeding 100lbs. There are variations of this bow. It can be …


PVC Survival Gear: How to Make It – Part 1, by J.H.

In this article, we will be examining why PVC may be one of your best choices for crafting usable, durable items at a fraction of what you’d pay to buy the items from a store. I will also be providing simple steps for you to follow to easily create five different, unique PVC survival items identified as five projects. The survival tools and gear that I have chosen for this article are all items that I have personally made and have used and tested repeatedly. Some of the methods and ideas that are listed I have learned from other people …


Scot’s Product Review: Anker 14W Foldable Dual-Port Solar Charger

We have had a number of requests to review ways to make electricity without the need for the grid, particularly for things like cellphones and tablet computers. I’ve been looking into options, and they usually boil down to solar, though I hope to get some products that use other strategies. There is a huge range of solar solutions out there, from systems that can power a whole house to something that can keep a small battery charged. The whole house solutions can easily hit $40,000 or more when you include the battery backups, while the least expensive small ones can …


Low Budget Knife Selection for a Novice, by S.G.

I. The World of Knives On the top of all new “prepper” lists is a good survival knife. The knife is a low-tech, multipurpose tool that has served humankind since before the dawn of civilization. To these early men, the side of a chipped flint could butcher an animal carcass for food and clothing. To the modern man, however, there is a dizzying array of choices when it comes to knife selection. This article documents my ongoing journey of knife selection, with my own frugal, low budget perspective. Now, when talking “low budget”, I do not mean cheap. When I …