Category: Field Gear

Letter Re: An Army Veteran’s Thoughts on Camouflage

Sir, In regards to the article: An Army Veteran’s Thoughts on Camouflage.  I have a few comments and recommendations: There are many different types of materials that a ghillie suit can be made from and burlap being a very good and cheap and easily accessible one, a couple bundles of natural color jute and some color dyes (mixed with some burlap) can make one very nice ghillie suit.  There are many places that these materials can be purchased from.  Ghilliesuits.com (which I have ordered my Jute from) is just one.  Do a quick search for “ghillie suit kits or jute …


An Army Veteran’s Thoughts on Camouflage, by H.R.

In case of TEOTWAWKI, being successful in the art of camouflaging will be a serious matter. It will be necessary for many aspects of life to include; movement, reconnaissance, and ambush. Camouflaging is a multi-tiered animal, including camouflaging your skin, your clothing, your gear, and your weapon. I spent six years in the army as an Infantryman. As a result I personally have spent 26 months of my life in Iraq, and I have been on well over 500 combat patrols: to include raids and ambushes of all kinds. Camouflaging of your outfit or uniform begins with the construction of …


Letter Re: The Sling Shot Channel

Sir: I think you might enjoy Jörg Sprave’s slingshot channel on Youtube.com. His videos on his home made slingshot weapons, I mean he is something else!!  he has a slingshot rifle with scope, a pump action repeating slingshot sort a rifle or pistol device, one that shoots machetes (yikes!!!) and a cannon slingshot, etc, etc, etc.  I like the pump action job.  He even has a tutorial video on how he makes it.  He shoots .50 caliber lead balls and I think it is comparable  to  a firearm for knock down power and penetration.  he tests it on ballistics jell …


Pat’s Product Review: “Commence Fire” Emergency Stove

Way back in 1979, when my wife and I were first married, I was working two full-time jobs to make ends meet. My wife, who had just graduated from college with a degree in elementary education, couldn’t find work. One job I worked consisted of working three 12-hour shifts on Friday , Saturday and Sunday. I was working for a security company, and my job was to patrol an industrial park. That job wasn’t too bad, as most of the patrolling took place in my vehicle – just driving around the industrial park, and checking for trespassers, and ensuring doors …


Four Letters Re: Homemade Powder Solvent For Gun Cleaning

JWR: There is a great reference for barrel cleaning and break-in procedures that is available free on web, courtesy of Krieger–a well known barrel maker. It is a reference worth printing out. – J. McW. Jim, Just a quick note on the letter about home made gun solvent. He mentions that “All of these solvents comes in colored glass to keep out sunlight.” He goes on to mention hard liquor bottles as a possibility. My problem with them is their size. You can get the “pocket flask” but most often you see 750 ML and 1.5L bottles. Common old beer …


Letter Re: Homemade Powder Solvent For Gun Cleaning

Sir: I’m a benchrest shooter and gunsmith, and I use quite a bit of cleaning solvent. When I used to buy it, I would buy it by the pint bottles. While not terribly expensive, it was still a cost. I asked fellow shooters what they used and most did as I did, buy it. Then I asked a very successful shooter what he used and he said “my own brew”! Just what I wanted to hear. He was nice enough to share his brew mixture, and that is all I’ve used since. There are a couple main things you’re trying …


Pat’s Product Reviews: SOG Knives – SEAL Knife 2000 and SEAL Pup

Pat’s Product Review: SOG  Knives – SEAL Knife 2000 & SEAL Pup SOG Knives makes some of the best cutlery around, bar none! I’ve been using their knives for many years, and have never been let down by any of ’em, including their multi-tools. My youngest daughter, who is a Combat Medic in the US Army, carries a SOG folding knife everyday – that says a lot! I’ve had several SurvivalBlog readers write and ask me to do a review on the SOG Seal Team and SOG SEAL Pup fixed blade knives, and I’m happy to oblige.   The SOG SEAL …


Letter Re: Lessons From Wayward Motorists

Mr. Rawles: Here is a quote from a recent news story: “A 67-year-old man found alive days after his car plunged 200 feet off a mountain road built a makeshift camp, ate leaves and drank water from a nearby creek to survive, his daughter said.” Interesting. “Non Life Threatening Injuries”!  Lessons learned: (1) Leave a trail of breadcrumbs? Let folks know where you’re going, your route, and when to expect a check-in. This lesson is oft repeated in stories of fatalities. (2) Put some water in your car’s backseat. Hook the seat belt to it so it doesn’t become a missile. Plan …


Letter Re: Tinder and Fire Ignition Options

Jim: SurvivalBlog reader "Entropy" recently wrote a great article about building a fire in a post collapse world and being a Scoutmaster for 18 years it is a lot of fun teaching scouts how to make one.  Seeing the look in their eyes as they get their first fire built in the outdoors using no matches is a great experience.  As a matter of fact, in winter camps where the ground is not frozen I like to use a trench fire pit with rocks in it, then bury it and sleep on top for a very cozy and warm night. …


Letter Re: U.S. Air Force Final Phase Out of BDU Uniforms

Jim, Woodland pattern battle dress uniforms (BDUs) were phased out by the Army years ago, but the U.S. Air Force has allowed their personnel to wear them longer, even as they transitioned to other camo pattern uniforms.  Final BDU phase out for the Air Force is reported to be November 1st, 2011, so the availability of this used gear will continue to taper off, even in base thrift stores.  Note that with two forms of identification, most Americans can access a base to visit a thrift store.  Military base thrift stores are usually operated as private, charitable organizations and have limited …


The Ice Walking Survival Stick, by Carmen G.

As we start to age, we have to compensate for arthritic knee joints, arthritis, and the inability to balance oneself on level ground, never mind walking on a wooded trail.  When finding myself in the situation of not being able to work as a Building Inspector, I decided to do something about it.  My problem was not being able to walk on uneven or ice-covered ground in order to inspect construction sites.  Those sites were the equivalent of an Appalachian trail minus the view in my mind.  My solution was to use a broken rake handle and insert a Philips …


Vision Preps for Disasters, by Josh D. in Georgia

As anyone who makes preparations for the survival of themselves and their family knows the number of things you have to take into account when planning is truly vast and can be overwhelming at times. Food storage, reusable resources, home defense, and do-it-yourself medical care are just a few of the things that must be researched, prepared, and enacted to ensure that you are safe and ready for whatever may come. The number of articles giving advice and urging action are equally numerous throughout dozens of blogs, web sites and books. Within all of this however I have seen almost …


Guest Article: To Build a Fire, by Bob A.

Okay, I admit it, I’m a Prepper.  The first time I read the Boy Scout Motto “Be Prepared”, I was hooked.  “Be prepared for what?” someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, “Why, for any old thing.” said Baden-Powell.  My real awakening with the Boy Scout Handbook was my first introduction to fire.  Learning to make a basic campfire, a cook fire, bonfire and camp-fire television were the first tastes of what would prepare me for the future. I camped, earned merit badges and worked my way to First Class and Patrol leader all the while putting an end …


A Survival Battery and Gear For a Prepper Family of Four, by Irish-7

I am writing our family’s security preparations, specifically the weapon selection and breakdown per family member. I will also describe our “Battle Rattle” (web gear) and survival kits.    First, a little background and base information. I am a retired US Army First Sergeant with over 30 years of military service. I have performed multiple jobs of my lengthy career, mainly in the Combat Arms. I was a Mortarman and Automatic Rifleman in the Airborne Infantry. I was a Unit Armorer, Supply Sergeant and Rifle Platoon Sergeant in the Mechanized Infantry and a Scout Platoon Sergeant and Cavalry First Sergeant …


Letter Re: Everyday Carry Items

Dear Mr. Rawles, In reference to J.C.R.’s article on Everyday Carry Items, I have a rather nondescript looking purse that I found at a thrift store that I use for Everyday Carry (EDC). I keep using that purse to carry because it is so handy with it’s numerous compartments inside. I have found nothing like it! In one of those compartments, I keep a “Mini Survival Kit”. I saw this at the SurvivaLogic web site. It fits in an Altoids breath mints tin. It’s the handiest thing ever. SurvivaLogic recommended matches, fishing hooks and line, flash light, compass, knife (high quality …