Category: Odds ‘n Sods

I heard from Sunflower Ammo (one of the generous sponsors of our writing contest) that they just added a product review section to their web site.  They will be giving away freebies for the best reviews every month. They have also added a British Berkefeld LP2 filter system to their product line, for $139.99.  This is a great entry-level water filter.    o o o There was a pleasant surprise in my latest batch of forwarded mail: a copy of the new Bulgarian edition of my first novel, “Patriots”. There are now nine foreign publishing contracts in place to produce …

SurvivalBlog reader “Shrike” mentioned a beautiful little film about the production process of an axe by master toolmaker, John Neeman…    o o o A link courtesy of SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Mike Williamson: Is this photo and diagram from South Korea legitimate? It is captivating, nonetheless.    o o o Reader R.B.S. sent: Blackouts Spur $18 Billion Power Grid Upgrade: Corporate India    o o o The folks at InformedChristians.com have now produced a thought-provoking timeline chart, showing one potential chain of events in the near future, leading to global socioeconomic collapse and World War III. This “fast track” …

Mark A. suggested this article at the NRA’s web site: If you had to choose one gun—and only one gun—to get you through a disaster, what would it be?    o o o Michael Yon: Afghanistan: When the Moon Sets, Watch Out. (Thanks to S.O. for the link.)    o o o Pierre M. mentioned a leather Axe Sling, made in Vermont. “Unless you are a lumberjack, the only time it would be socially acceptable to walk around with an axe strapped to your back is if the streets were swarming with brain-hungry zombies. That being said, this does look …

The $150 Ammo Can PV Power Project.    o o o F.J. sent: Local Blackouts Reveal Global Risks. And in related news: Should You Worry About the Power Going Out Like in Revolution? This Congressman Thinks So.    o o o R.B.S. sent this: Cooking With A Cordless Power Drill    o o o ‘Fast and Furious’ report slams ‘disregard’ for public safety as DOJ officials quit

Reader V.H. wrote: “I couldn’t help but notice that the Propper [brand] A-TACs camouflage pattern uses soft edges and colors that are very similar to the rebels’ camo used on the planet Endor, from [the second-produced film in the] Star Wars [movie series]. Is this one of those “life imitates art” situations, or vice versa? As I recall, the German Army experimented with soft-edged patterns during WWII, and some of those were quite effective.    o o o A clever new product that I first heard about nearly a year ago will soon be available to the public: The Survival …

Reader C.B. suggested this product for anyone who considers their iPhone indispensable: AQUA TEK S for iPhone 4/4: A rugged case that provides extra battery life and water resistance.    o o o The Western Pit: Homestead Vehicle Lift (for underbody work)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson has some commentary at his publisher’s web site about firearms realism, Hollywood, and “loopholes”: Getting Guns Right    o o o F.G. sent this from Nanny Looney State Britannia: Mentally ill to be allowed to become MPs, serve on juries and be company directors. JWR’s Comment: This …

Rick in New York mentioned this latest bit of Bloomberg-inspired insanity: New York OKs nation’s first ban on super-sized sugary drinks    o o o Sue C. was the first of several readers to send this: Gun Sales Hinge on Obama Re-Election: Cabela’s, Other Retailers Prepare for Surge in Demand    o o o G.G. forwarded a link to some Slate commentary that confirms my conjecture about the secret cache of Revlon Equave Hydro Nutritive Shampoo: The Biggest Problem With the Post-Apocalyptic Show Revolution: the Women’s Perfect Hair.    o o o R.B.S. sent this news from Oz: Superbugs spread …

Safecastle’s current “Repel the Chaos” sale has transitioned to Week 4, with the following special offers (ending September 21st): 1.)  Safecastle Royal members who make any single purchase (one weekly incentive per member) totaling at least $450 receive a free Katadyn Vario water filter and a 20-pack of MP1 purification tablets ($117 value). 2.)  Or, make a purchase of at least $1,250 and receive a free Katadyn Pocket water filter. (a $379 value), and 3.)  They are now discounting selected Mountain House can cases up to 33% for a very limited time. Don’t miss out.    o o o Reader …

F.G. sent: Cameras to protect speed cameras from “vandals”    o o o Sean M. sent: Small rural-Arizona school evokes old-frontier spirit    o o o A slightly different culture: Live Crab Vending Machine in China – Video    o o o Louis James of Casey Research: G. Edward Griffin on Saving the US from Totalitarianism    o o o James K. sent this link: Wood Pallet Shed Project

G.G. flagged this Vauban homage: 15 Star-Shaped Forts From Around the World    o o o James K. suggested this: Bulletproof vehicles get lighter, stronger    o o o F.G. mentioned this furniture for gun geeks: Mosin Nagant Rifle Crate Coffee Table    o o o Giving preparedness a bad name: Kissimmee man stole trailer, planned doomsday bunker, police say. (Thanks to John McC. for the link.)    o o o Assaulted: A pro-gun documentary using Kickstarter financing.

News from Korea: New Swine Flu Virus Shows Lethal Signs. (A hat tip to Tim P. for the link.)    o o o H.L. suggested this at The Daily Crux: How to grow an inconspicuous garden… no matter where you live    o o o Ready Made Resources is having a special on genuine full mil-spec AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ night vision scopes. For a limited time they are offering these “grade A” scopes with a free Picatinny rail weapons mount, free shutter eyepiece and free shipping. As usual, these include aa head mount and carry case . These have a …

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) mentioned: Slingshots in the Roman Empire? (Joerg is still experimenting.)    o o o Reader F.J. sent this grim prediction: Complex Systems Theorists Predict We’re About One Year From Global Food Riots    o o o K.A.F. suggested this British television series: The Wartime Kitchen & Garden    o o o H.L. liked the 52 weeks of preparedness lessons provided by ReadyNutrition.com

Karl G. recommended a great video with yet another use for IBC totes: Building an IBC aquaponic system, along with this instructive PDF. Karl notes: “You just have to make sure that the tank wasn’t used for some nasty chemicals before making this.”    o o o Rewarding Idiots with Democratic Totalitarianism    o o o I heard about an interesting new blog from a libertarian Christian philosopher who has emigrated to Chile: The Fifth Stage Blog    o o o Havana’s blackout.    o o o Tom of CampingSurvival.com co-produced this instructional video: How-To Roast Green Organic Coffee Beans …

Leauxryda sent an interesting article discussing the types of weapons used by criminals with facts that support a victim stands a better chance of defending themselves rather than passively submitting.    o o o Reader Pierre M. sent the link to a PDF of a classic public domain book that will be of interest to homeschoolers and to anyone who studies military strategy: History Of The Conquest Of England By The Normans, by Augustin Thierry. (Translated from the French.)    o o o This new group meetup page looks promising: PrepperLink Groups.    o o o You can now hear …

I’m pleased to announce that my old associate Todd Savage has officially launched www.SurvivalRetreatConsulting.com. Todd is both a former real estate agent and a Marine with a good tactical eye. He offers his on-site services for selecting and upgrading retreats in Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Northwest Montana. His rates are quite affordable.    o o o R.B.S. sent: The power of the Sun: Now NASA reveals Video of a 500,000 mile ‘solar whip’ that caused an aurora on Earth    o o o Another Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held on September 30, 2012 in Spokane, Washington.    o …