Category: Field Gear

Field Intelligence Collection – Part 4, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 3.) Map Markers are similar to Favorites but much simpler, since they don’t allow you define a custom name or add them to a group. Markers are designed to allow you to plan a route, but they can be very useful for documenting the route you’re taking. Adding a Marker is similar to adding a Favorite – tap and hold your current location, then click on the ‘Marker’ (triangular flag) option on the bottom pop-up menu. A colored Marker flag will be added to that location; note that the color of the flag will automatically change for …


Field Intelligence Collection – Part 2, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 1.) There are also a variety of different types of image collection devices that the lenses sit in front of to view and process the light coming through the lens: Mark I eyeball – Many types of lens devices like binoculars are designed to be held directly up to your eyes, typically to allow you to view things at a distance. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DLSR) cameras – These are large-body cameras that have interchangeable lenses and lots of advanced bells and whistles. Compact digital camera – Smaller digital cameras with built-in lenses. Cell phone camera – …


Big Idea Design Bolt Action Pen, by Thomas Christianson

It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword. The written word can change hearts, while force can only impose unwilling submission. Pens have so many practical uses that I habitually keep one with me, as everyday carry (EDC). The pen that I am currently carrying is the Big Idea Design Bolt Action Pen. It is a truly rugged and reliable writing instrument, with the amazing ability to accept at least 127 different brands and models of ink refill cartridges. The titanium exterior of the pen tolerates a remarkable amount of abuse with minimal signs of wear and …


BeaverCraft Glacier Bushcraft Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The Ukrainian-made BeaverCraft Glacier Bushcraft Knife has a razor-sharp, 4.25-inch, full-tang, Scandi-grind blade made of 1066 high carbon steel. The blade is 1.18 inches wide, and 0.13 inches thick at the base. The knife is 10.63 inches overall in length, with an unfinished European walnut handle. It comes with a nice leather dangler-form sheath. Although 1066 steel is not highly corrosion resistant, I did not experience any problems with rust throughout the testing period even though I used the knife under a wide variety of inclement weather conditions. With a price at the time of writing of $45 at beavercrafttools.com, …


The Well-Rounded Prepper, by Cactus Jack

The recent Crowdstrike computer/IT outage got us thinking about a host of things that affect our everyday lives. How do we get cash out of the bank, fuel for our vehicles, food, water, etc. when the power or internet is out? Start pulling on a loose thread and we soon realize that in life everything seems to be connected. There are ‘must have’ items that we always carry with us. Cash, a small amount of US 90% silver coins, firearm(s), knives (as in more than one), water, food, some tools, gloves, hat, and some cordage (rope or heavy twine) In …


Building a Utility Trailer – Part 2, by Lodge Pole

(Continued from Part 1.  This concludes the article.) What to store in the trailer truck box? Because of the current mindset of theft with little to no penalty in many states, I do not have a truck box attached to my personal truck any longer. Since I do not take my trailer out, except for outdoor activities where I am typically within eyesight of it, I feel comfortable having a toolbox permanently attached to the trailer frame. The following is a list of what I carry in my toolbox and why. This is an extremely personal list suited to what …


Building a Utility Trailer – Part 1, by Lodge Pole

On a family camping trip earlier this year, I realized how little room, rather how much “stuff” we take with us when we go anywhere. As much exercise as I get from climbing in and out of the back of our tall truck, I wanted something that could carry all our camping gear, that was easy to unhitch and move by hand, and was easy to load and unload. After talking over some ideas with my wife, I decided it was time to get a utility trailer that we could use not only to carry our camping and exploration gear, …


What is Old is New Again – Part 2, by 3AD Scout

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Keeping warm will be another area where we revert back to old ways. I see lots of prepper articles and YouTube videos about sawing wood for heat. Back in the bygone days, one of the daily chores of children was picking up “sticks”. Many of us may remember the old nursery rhythm with the line “five, six pick up sticks”. These sticks were used for cooking. Heat from the daily food preparation was just an added bonus in the colder months. We may want to lower our expectations of post-TEOTWAWKI comfort. Trying …


Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

The Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creemoor is highly accurate and light, with an easily gripped and highly adjustable stock. The 20 inch spiral fluted barrel is visually striking, the bolt cycles smoothly, and the 3 position tang safety is easy to operate and intuitive. At 6.5 pounds, the rifle would be easier to carry than most on a long day in the field. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $729 at the time of this writing, and widely available for less, the rifle offers an excellent value for the money. If you are looking for a good …


Rossi Survival Rifle in .45 Colt/.410 Gauge, by Thomas Christianson

Packing considerably more punch than the typical .22LR survival rifle, the Rossi Survival Rifle in .45 Colt/.410 Gauge is light, compact, rugged, and easy to use. It would be an excellent tool for taking medium-sized game out to about 75 yards or so. Beyond that range, the trajectory of the bullet from a .45 Colt cartridge begins to exhibit its bow-shaped arc, making accurate shooting more difficult. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $356.99 at the time of this writing at www.rossiusa.com, the rifle would make an excellent addition to the survival kit of a plane, boat, truck or other …


The Bugout Trailer (BOT), by Tunnel Rabbit

This Bug Out Trailer (BOT) as it is presented here is intended to be a concept rather than a set of building plans.  This is a low-cost structure that only requires only common tools and materials. The photos provided can say more than I could describe in a multi-part article. The BOT can be a single-purpose utility or a multi-purpose platform that is lightweight and inexpensive to build. In essence, it is a modern version of the horse-drawn wagon trailers used beginning around the 1860’s that became the modern RV.  It is an example, of what the Marine Corps advocates: …


Warwood Tool Perfect Axe, by Thomas Christianson

Editor’s Introductory Note:  This article was written in February 2024. That was several months before I contacted Warwood Tool, to set up an affiliate advertising contract.  Full disclosure:  We earn a modest commission on the sales of any Wawood Tools that are derived from visits to the Warwood Tool site, from clicks on the affiliate ad at SurvivalBlog. — The Warwood Tool Perfect Axe is a contemporary version of a classic and highly effective American axe design. The Kelly Perfect Axe was first patented in 1885, and remained in production until about 2016. The most notable features of a Perfect …


Predator Armor Plate Carrier and Plates, by Thomas Christianson

I recently had the chance to test the Predator Armor Minuteman Plate Carrier as well as a couple of Predator Armor steel plates. I found the 500D Cordura material from which the plate carrier is made to be robust, stain and odor resistant, comfortable to wear. It included 6 rows of MOLLE style webbing. It cost $160 at the time of this writing from www.predatorarmor.com. One of the plates I tested was a Level III+ Shooter’s Cut plate made from ballistic grade AR650 steel. With the multicurve body contour, it cost $145 for a single plate and $195 for a …


Gerber E-Z Out Skeleton Plain Edge Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The skeletonized spine of the Gerber E-Z Out Skeleton Plain Edge folding knife provides a strong but lightweight blade for this excellent folding knife. Like the Spyderco hole, the cut-outs in the blade provide the thumb with a consistent friction point for reliable ambidextrous one-handed deployment without snagging on clothing or impeding the cutting action of the blade. The 3.25 inch, 420HC, saber-grind, drop-point blade comes out of the box shaving sharp. Two Kraton SoftGrip inserts provide the slender but sturdy polycarbonate handle with an excellent grip surface. Priced at $47 at the time of this writing at www.gerbergear.com , …


Come Home, Now!, by M. Paul

This article is addressed to my adult children and their families. It should be useful to those readers who have family members who are spread out across a region of the country. It is intended to provide information and logistics for improving the odds of successful transport for those who may be planning to come “home” when there are natural disasters, or the Stuff Hits The Fan (SHTF). Disasters, in my judgment, can range from large storms, tornados, large fires, and floods, all the way up to EMPs, world war, or deep societal breakdown. Each of these, to varying degrees, …