Category: Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Reader John L offered this: “Thanks for running the interesting article on cordage. A few additions: Knots.  Hard to use cordage effectively without them.  Bowline, sheet bend, clove hitch, and prusik will cover 98% of needs.  Learn these. Consider traditional laid (“twisted”) ropes instead of braided.  Laid cordage can be spliced with appproximately 95% retention of strength, not only to …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson wrote: “My passenger was using an iPhone (I call them “spiPhones”) to navigate this weekend. The phone’s navigation system said: ‘Turn right at the red car.’ It was gathering enough private information in real-time to know what color a car ahead of us was. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’re oblivious.” o  o  o …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader Don in Oregon wrote to mention:  “Water fire extinguishers are handy to have around. Suitable only for Class A fires, but easily rechargeable (water and compressed air). Best used in short spurts, with your thumb over the nozzle to make a fan spray.” o  o  o From SurvivalBlog reader “The War Wagon”, a lengthy and quite useful comment …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader S.B. sent this: Forget cicadas. Drought-stricken West is getting plagued by voracious grasshoppers. o  o  o St. Funogas had this reply to a query from another reader: “Monica sent this query: “I’d like to ask St. Funogas this question: I have more than 500 new in box canning lids that were bought about 20 to 30 years ago…….stored …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — H.L. sent this troubling news reported by American Greatness: Deprogramming of January 6 Defendants Is Underway.  JWR’s Comment: This self-flagellating rhetoric reminds me of the public humiliation “Struggle Sessions” that were a staple of the Cultural Revolution in mainland China under the brutal genocidal rule of Chairman Mao and his henchmen. o  o  o My wife Avalanche Lily suggested …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson suggested this article: Ground-breaking night-vision film can be applied to regular glasses. o  o  o H.L. sent us the link to this fascinating page: Animated Map: U.S. Droughts Over the Last 20 Years. o  o  o Garand Thumb reviews the SIG “DVO” LPVO: US Army’s New M4 Optic. o  o  o Tim. J. in Florida …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader J.M.D. wrote to mention: “Baofeng has come out with the GT-5R, a US-legal version of the venerable UV-5R. Transmission is limited to 144-148MHz & 420-450MHz (Ham 2m & 70cm bands), so no more FRS/GMRS/MURS/Marine transmissions like the original UV-5R and its variants. They claim all of the original UV-5R accessories will work with it Of course, the original …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Firstly, and most importantly, there is this encouraging news: Federal Judge Overturns California’s Assault Weapons Ban.  The full text of the decision can be seen here. JWR’s Comments: Be advised that the automatic stay leaves the door open for a very likely appeal, anytime in the next 25 days. So we can expect this to advance to a Ninth Circuit three-judge …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. First up, reader H.L. sent us this: Forgotten First Shots of the Revolutionary War, ‘The Watchman’ Thwarts General Gage’s Gun Grab. o  o  o ‘Nothing looks good’ preparing for summer wildfire season. o  o  o David in Australia wrote: “G’day, In the post it mentions keeping various dowel on hand. A dowel jig/maker can be made pretty cheap at the …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. o  o  o Our own Pat Cascio forwarded this disturbing news: It Begins: Fully Vaccinated People in Oregon Must Show Proof of Vaccination Status in Order to Enter Businesses Without a Mask. o  o  o Reader “Bear” wrote: “I liked a recent article by Angelo Codevilla. Anyone who quotes Alice’s Restaurant gets bonus points from me, but the real idea …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Well, it is now official: The ATF has started the Comment Period for their proposed rulemaking that would greatly expand the definition of “firearm”. It is 115 pages of vague confusion that is NOT an act of congress. Rather, it is pure bureaucratic fiat. Please post a polite comment on these absurdly daft draft rules. If they become “law” …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — This was a very thought-provoking essay: The Inevitable End of a Ruling Elite. o  o  o Michael J. wrote: “Here are my inflation-fighting tips for the SB community: 1) If you go to work, don’t buy your lunch; bring it from home.  When even a burrito can cost $10-13 dollars, that adds up fast.  Buy some lunch meat and …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters S.L. in Idaho wrote to mention: “I have had great success with a coddling moth trap. Use a ½ gallon plastic milk container – on the side opposite the handle cut a “smile” on the upper corner edge to create an entrance for the moths. Mix 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup dark molasses, 1/8 tsp ammonia and 6 …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — First, and foremost is an incredible global radio listening map, sent to us by H.L.: Radio Garden. H.L describes it: “The green dots on this Google Earth map represent radio stations all over the world. Click on any one of the dots and you will immediately hear that station with very good reception.” JWR’s Comment: I also found this fascinating. …

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — First, and foremost, here is a very useful piece from my friend Commander Zero’s excellent Notes From The Bunker blog: Canned beef back at Costco. o  o  o Americans will likely have to navigate a maze of vaccine “passports” o  o  o Duane had this comment: “Tunnel Rabbit’s informative article on solar power is helpful for someone just starting …