Mike Williamson’s Book Review: The Book of Blacksmithing

The Book of Blacksmithing (Setting Up Shop, Essential Skills, and Easy Projects to Get You Started), by Michael Cardiff.
ISBN-13: 978-1610045773

I’ve known Mike Cardiff for a couple of decades, and can vouch for his competencies as a smith.  He moves surely, wastes no effort, and turns out functional tools, blades and accoutrements in short order.  I helped him find a publisher for this work, and am very glad to see it in print.
 
I’m quite impressed by the outcome.  Mike’s writing style is simple, clear and straightforward, and the illustrations by his brother are likewise very easy to understand and follow.  This slim but surprisingly dense book first addresses safety, setup of a smith including choices of forge types, anvils and tools.  It then does a detailed breakdown of various types of hammers, tongs, punches and chisels, shaping tools, and accessories like drills and grinders.  Each major tool is accorded a description on how to select and use it, across a panoply of striking, gripping, bending, punching and abrading tools.

He covers buying and scrounging material for different purposes, and finding tools, or items that can be converted into tools, from various sources.

Then it’s on to how to build a fire (coal, gas, and charcoal, possibly the most versatile and available fuel for grid down or economic crisis scenarios), maintain it, heat and work steel.  How to control the hammer, the shape, how to heat treat and temper for tools, and how to weld ferrous metals with a forge.  He does not cover horse shoeing, which is the specialty of a farrier. He does cover the manufacture of basic hand tools.

Next, there is an entire chapter on problems and how to troubleshoot them—misshapen metal, split, cracked or twisted stock, and problems judging metal mass.

The last part of the book is devoted to very clear, beautifully illustrated instructions on making various items, including shop tools (hammers, punches, hardies, tongs, nail forming tools) and several small household items that will give the beginning smith a good workout in the essentials of shaping metal.

The Book of Blacksmithing is available from Paladin Press, from Amazon.com and and other outlets.
 
Disclosure and Disclaimer (per FTC File No. P034520): I was furnished a free (damaged) copy for review.

A T.M. in Arkansas Book Review: 7 Deadly Scenarios

7 Deadly Scenarios: A Military Futurist Explores War in the 21st Century by Andres F. Krepinevich
Bantam Dell, New York, 2009. 334 pages including a thorough index.
ISBN 978-0-553-80539-0
 
The author of this book is the president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, and a former US Army officer with a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
In this book, he asks the hard questions most people choose to ignore. Being prepared is an ongoing task based on anticipation of something bad occurring. Planning for those occurrences is best done by utilizing scenarios to figure out your response, and what supplies are needed to insure your survival.

Although published three years ago, this book is still timely in the disasters it anticipates in Iraq, Pakistan, China, Israel, the global economy, and a pandemic.
The author explains how to create disaster or crisis scenarios for anyone from the military, civil authorities, and private citizens. He explains the dangers of not believing the results you may achieve from acting out your scenarios. The author explains the importance of keeping an open mind and remaining flexible during a crisis. If your plan is too rigid, you will probably fail. Have a plan B, C, and D for each eventuality. Share your plan with a trusted prepper and let them look for ways to improve your options. Return the favor with an open mind.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was war gamed by the US Navy in 1932 and filed away. The second and successful attack on the World Trade Towers was forewarned before the first attack by a security officer. The messenger was ignored. The French Army possessed a copy of the German Army plan of attack years before WWI began in 1914. They bought it from a German turncoat and filed it away.

The scenarios in this book include a collapse of Pakistan. Al Qaeda is actively working today to destabilize that nation both militarily and politically. What happens if they succeed?
A pandemic on the scale of the 1918 Flu will create havoc as our health facilities are overloaded, millions will die, and the global economy devastated in the process. Scientists and medical experts have told us for years that this monster is not a question of if, but a question of when. A pandemic can be seen coming, so do you have your flu shot, yet?
What happens if China decides to flex its’ military muscles in the South China Sea or the Pacific Ocean? Does our military and its’ allies have the power to win the struggle?
What happens in the event of an EMP? The favorite scenario is the collapse of the USA from terrorists or a rogue nation, but how about the case of a solar caused EMP in Europe or Asia? The economic devastation to the global economy will affect all of us.

What happens if the record setting drought of 2012 continues for another two to three years? Are you prepared for further food shortages and higher prices?
This book is well written, thought provoking, and will hopefully spur you to action to turn your disasters into inconveniences.

Pat’s Product Review: Kahr PM 45 Pistol

I’ve always been a big fan, of little guns – that pack some serious knock down power. I remember first reading about the (then) new Kahr Arms 9mm pistol, and whoever wrote about it claimed the double-action only trigger was butter smooth. Well, it wasn’t until about five years ago, that I actually saw my first Kahr in a gun shop. For some reason, all the gun shops I regularly haunted, never had a Kahr in-stock – new or used. As soon as I felt how good the Kahr K9 felt in my hands, and the super-smooth trigger pull on it was, I was sold – I walked out with the gun and a holster for it that very hour.

There has been a big tread the past half dozen years or so, for very small concealed carry guns. While I seriously applaud this, and the gun companies are finally listening to the consumers, most of these guns in the past few years have been in .380 ACP. Anyone who follows my writings know that, I’m not a big fan of the .380 ACP cartridge as my first-line of defense – as a back-up, yeah! However, over the past couple of years, ammo makers have been giving the little .380 ACP a real boost in power, and with JHP ammo that actually expands, and penetrates. However, I still, personally only carry a .380 ACP as a back-up to my main handgun. A lot of folks think that it’s over-kill, to carry two handguns, I don’t! You never know when your main gun might malfunction, run out of ammo, or actually break – when you need it the most. And, I believe this comes from years of being a PI and a cop – I always carried a second gun – never know what kind of trouble you might run into, and need the second gun, or to arm a loved one or friend, who might be able to aid you.

Well, since purchasing my very first Kahr Arms pistol several years ago, a number of their outstanding firearms has passed through my hands, some in .380 ACP, some in 9mm, some in .40 S&W and the winner is, the grand ol’ .45 ACP. A couple years ago, I got my hands on the Kahr CW45 – and it was (and is) and outstanding handgun for concealed carry – with 6+1 rounds on-tap, and a spare mag on my belt. However, it just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, for some strange reason. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Kahr CW45 – nothing! Several months ago, I contacted Frank Harris, who is Kahr’s head honcho in the Marketing department, and requested a Kahr PM45. And, as usual, Kahr was backed-up with orders, and I had to wait a month for my sample PM45 to arrive – but the wait was well worth it.

The PM45 is what I was looking for in a Kahr, for a concealed carry handgun. At only slightly more than 19-oz unloaded, with an empty mag, the PM45 feels like the gun will float out of your hand. The CW45 carries 6+1 rounds, the PM45 is 5+1 rounds, but in my humble opinion, it’s worth sacrificing that one round for the added concealability and compactness the PM45 affords. With a stainless steel slide, and a 3.24″ Bbl, and black polymer frame, we are talking about a super-small .45 ACP handgun. The polymer frame is heavily textured, so much so, that I took some extra-fine sandpaper to it, to get the “points” off the texturing – they were sharp, to be sure. I’m sure, over time, the points would have wore down a bit, but I planned on doing a lot of shooting, and didn’t want the sharp texturing abrading my hand.

The PM45 comes with bar-dot sights – and the sights are steel, on the CW45, the front sight is polymer and pinned in place. On the PM45, the front and rear sight can be moved for windage adjustments – no adjustments were required – and I’ve never had to adjust the sights on any Kahr handgun – they are dead-on from the box. The PM45 also comes with a spare magazine – the CW45 doesn’t. The PM45 also has nicer contours to the slide than the CW45 does – I like the look and feel of the PM45 a lot.

We have an overall length of only 5.79″ and a height of only 4.49″ and width of only 1.01″ – so we’re talking about a very compact .45ACP carry gun, to be sure. You can also order your PM45 with night sights, too – I elected to just go with the standard sights for some reason. The barrel on the PM45 is a bit better than the barrel on the CW45 – not that there is a lot of difference when it comes to accuracy, but it is slightly better in the accuracy department than the CW45 is. You can read all the differences between the various .45ACP models on the Kahr web site, and they make quite a few variations in all calibers.

First thing I did with my Kahr PM45 was mount a Crimson Trace (CT) laser on the gun, and in my humble opinion, there isn’t a better laser for the Kahr line of handguns than the Crimson Trace line. I’ve been using their lasers almost since day one, and they are top-notch in all respects. The CT laser for the PM45 fits onto the trigger guard, and when properly attached, the CT laser looks just like it was actually a part of the PM45. And, the best part is, CT lasers are easy-on, and easy-off. Just take a proper grip on the gun, and the laser is activated – just that simple. And, CT has a new policy, in that, they will supply you with batteries for your CT laser, for life. How can you beat that deal? And, in my opinion, the CT laser is a worthy investment for the PM45. I’ve used CT lasers forever, and I’ve only had a problem with one, and returned it to the factory and it was repaired and returned inside of a week – how’s that for customer service? To be sure, CT manufactures their lasers for many of the Kahr handguns – as well as most popular handguns, check out their web site.

Now, most people will be led to believe, that a .45ACP pistol, as small as the Kahr PM45 is, will “kick” a lot – well, to be honest, there is some recoil there, but not nearly as much as you might think. I had my usual assortment of .45ACP ammo on-hand for testing. From Buffalo Bore Ammunition. I had their 185 grain Barnes TAC-XP all-copper hollow point +P, 200 grain JHP +P, 230 grain JHP +P and their 255 grain Hard Cast FN load – also +P. From Black Hills Ammunition, I had their 230 grain FMJ, 185 grain JHP, 185 grain Barnes TAC-XP +P load. And, a couple fairly new loads, their 185 grain JHP steel-cased load, and their 230 grain FMJ steel-cased load. Now, don’t get these steel-cased confused with the dirty-shooting Russian-made steel cased loads – they are worlds apart. Black Hills started using steel-cased ammo because they couldn’t find enough of once-fired .45 ACP brass cases for making reloaded ammo. Their steel-cased new ammo is priced right, and there is no comparison between this steel-cased ammo and the Russian stuff – Black Hills wins, hands-down. From Winchester, I used their white box USA-brand 230 grain FMJ ammo – always a good shooter for plinking or target practice – as well as self-defense.

Okay, so how did the little Kahr PM45 shoot? Well, I had no problems with any of the ammo – the PM45 never missed a beat. Kahr recommends that you shoot at least 200 rounds through their guns before you can consider them reliable enough for self-defense. My PM45 never skipped a beat – with any of the ammo. I put well over 500 rounds through the little Kahr, and there wasn’t a hint of a functioning problem. I kept my shooting at 15-yards or closer – which is what this little pistol was meant for – close-up and dirty self-defense work. However, it is capable of really good accuracy out to 25-yards if you do your part. As for accuracy – the winner was the Buffalo Bore 200 grain JHP+P load – if I did my part, I could keep the groups at 2-1/2 inches at 15-yards. However, the Black Hills 230 grain FMJ load was right on the heels of the Buffalo Bore load. I’ve found that the Black Hills 230 grain FMJ load usually provides me with match-grade accuracy – and it is not a match load!

Kahr recommends that you steer clear of steel-cased ammo, but I didn’t have any problems with feeding or extraction, using the Black Hills 185 grain JHP or 230 grain FMJ steel-cased loads – no problems at all. And, I was really surprised at the accuracy from these steel-cased loads. The Buffalo Bore 255 grain Hard Cast FN +P load – needless to say, that hummer really “kicked” the most. This is a round you load-up, when you’re out hiking in the boonies, and you might encounter some serious threat from a 4-legged critter, like a black bear. This round will make that black bear wish they were some place else, to be sure. I didn’t do any penetration tests with this load, using the Kahr PM45, but I’ve tested this load in other .45 ACP chambered handguns, and it penetrates like your wouldn’t believe.

I burned-up a lot of Winchester USA white box 230 grain FMJ ammo in my testing. I’ve always liked this load, for target practice and just plain ol’ plinking fun. It’s affordable and very accurate. I probably put 200 rounds of this ammo through the little Kahr, with no problems. I liked the 185 grain Barnes all-copper +P load from Buffalo Bore and the same Barnes load from Black Hills for self-defense, but neither one of these loads proved to be the accuracy winner – and I was surprised. However, my wife wanted a Kahr PM45 of her own – so she “borrowed” my sample…and I had to request a second PM45 from Kahr for myself – this one with the black finish on the slide. And, this sample really loved the 185 grain Barnes all-copper hollow point +P load from Buffalo Bore and Black Hills. Just goes to show, that not all guns are alike – even two identical guns, from the same maker – only difference was the finish on the slide – other than that, they were identical. But the black slide sample preferred the Barnes loads from Black Hills and Buffalo Bore for best accuracy – and they were in a dead-tied for accuracy in my second sample. Go figure? It really does pay to test different types and brands of ammo, if you are looking for the most accurate load for your guns. And, it pays to test different ammo for different tasks, too.

The trigger-pull on the PM45 samples I had, were the best I’ve ever encountered on any DAO pistol – even better than some of the other Kahr handguns I’ve tested. To be sure, and without a doubt, the trigger-pulls were like driving a high performance sports car – and I’ve driven a few in my life. While the trigger-pull is a little long on the Kahr, there isn’t a glitch in it – just pulls like cutting through melted butter – I kid you not! I think what I really liked about the PM45 is that, the grip circumference – it’s the smallest around than any other .45 ACP handgun that I’m aware of – and this includes some 2-shot derringers, too. I’m not sure how Kahr was able to pull this off…my wife, who is like most women, has small hands, and she found the grip circumference to her liking – she couldn’t believe how great the PM45 felt in her hand. I believe that, the grip circumference on the PM45 also helped tame the recoil. While shooting the Buffalo Bore +P loads (that are hot) were attention getters, it wasn’t nearly as bad as one would expect from such a tiny pistol. That’s saying a lot in my book.

While I like the Kahr CW45, the PM45 is all that much better. Yes, the PM45 retails for a lot more than the CW45 does – the PM45 is $855 for the stainless steel slide version. However, if you ask me, I believe the PM45 is all that much more gun than the CW45. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the CW45 – but Kahr spoiled me with the PM45. So, if you’re in the market, for one of the smallest .45 ACP semiauto pistols on the market, take a close look at the Kahr PM45. It will serve your survival needs quite well – be it street survival or hiking out in the boonies – with the right load, this gun will take care of the job at hand. And, I’m betting you’ll also want to add a Crimson Trace laser to your Kahr, too. It is hard to beat this combo in my humble opinion. Be sure to check out Kahr’s webs site, they have a lot of accessories, clothing, holsters, spare mags, etc., for their handguns.

Two Letters Re: Getting A Mortgage After Relocating

The letter from the couple who moved to one of the Redoubt states and was unable to get a mortgage from a local bank reminded me of our experience.

We moved to a Redoubt state in 1993 after having sold our house in Pennsylvania for a tidy profit. We moved to our new location and put that “tidy profit” (which was more than half the down payment for a new place) into a local bank. My husband found work immediately. I was a stay-at-home mom. A few months later, we found a 5-acre piece of property and went back to the same bank that was holding our money and applied for a loan. They refused. The amount of the mortgage we were asking for was laughably small by today’s standards and we were putting more than 50% down. We had impeccable credit. They told my husband that they would not offer a mortgage to someone who was self-employed. We ended up buying our 5 acres through owner financing. When we built our house a few years later, one of the big banks gave us a construction loan and a mortgage, but my father-in-law had to co-sign for it.

A few years later we became friends with a couple who had just moved to our area from Maryland. The husband was an engineer and had just been hired by a local technology firm (a firm which was notorious for serially hiring and then laying off employees). They had not yet sold their home in Maryland. They rented for a few months and then found a nice upscale home to buy. This same local bank couldn’t move fast enough to give them a mortgage to buy their new house (they were still paying on their house in Maryland) simply because the guy was not self-employed. Interestingly, only about three months after they closed on their home, he was laid off and they ultimately had to move to another area.

We are still here. My husband is still self-employed. The local banks did try to follow some of the practices of the big banks and some went out of business as a result. They are now back to being as gun-shy as they were 20 years ago when we moved here. It seems to be a feature of the Redoubt’s tendency toward boom-and-bust economies.

Thanks for a great blog. – Janet S.

 

Mr. Rawles,
Many times you can get a loan at a local Credit Union faster than you can at a bank. Why give the “Too Big To Fail” banks your hard earned money? They already stole your money with fees, interest, and TARP.
 
Sincerely, – Joe in Spokane

Recipe of the Week:

Rose M.’s “Magic Mix” White Sauce Mix

Combine:
4 C nonfat dry milk
1 C flour
¼ C corn starch
1 C butter or shortening (or a combination)
 
Combine all very well with a pastry blender, or better yet, with a food processor or mixer.
 
To use, combine 2/3 C Magic Mix with 1  to  1 ½ C water (depending  how thick you want your sauce and what you’re making), and simmer until thick. You can start with less water and add more water if you want a thinner sauce, or even add more mix to get the consistency you want.
 
Store in your refrigerator in a coffee can. I add a piece of masking tape with the basic white sauce recipe.
 
Variations
 
Cheese Sauce
2/3 C Magic Mix
1 ¼ C water
1-2 C shredded cheddar cheese (parmesan works well for an Alfredo sauce)
Combine Magic Mix and water over Med. Heat stirring until thick. Add cheese and stir until well blended. This is a good base for mac and cheese, or over pasta, or veggies.
 
Cream of Chicken soup, condensed
1 C. Magic Mix
3/4 C. Chicken Broth (either from a can, bouillon, or liquid from canned chicken)
1 t. Dry Parsley
Dash of Onion Salt
Combine and stir over Med. Heat until thick. Use in recipes for condensed chicken soup.
 
Cream of Mushroom Soup, condensed
1 C Magic Mix
1 4.5 oz. can Mushroom pieces and stems, drain, but save liquid (or use dehydrated mushrooms and use leftover water)
1/4 C. Water + water from mushrooms (1 C total)
Dash of Onion Salt
1-2 drops Kitchen Bouquet, optional 
Combine and stir over Med. Heat until thick. Use in recipes for condensed mushroom soup.
 
Cream of Celery Soup
1 C. Magic Mix
¾ C. Water from Cooking Celery
1 C. Chopped Celery, cooked and drained (or use dehydrated celery and use the water left over from hydrating the celery as my water)
Pinch of Celery Seed
1 t. Dry Parsley Flakes (optional)

Chef’s Notes:

Combine magic mix and water from cooking celery. Stir constantly over medium-high heat until it thickens. Add in celery, celery salt and parsley. Use in any recipe calling for canned Cream of Celery soup.

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

How to separate an egg yolk from the white – Chinese style… (You don’t need to speak Chinese to understand this. Thanks to Hardy M. for the link.)

Pioneer Cooking Recipes

Currently Available as Free Kindle e-Books:

Top 30 Easy & Delicious Burger and Sandwich Recipes

Edible History: Easy Ancient Celtic, Gallic and Roman Techniques for Leavening Bread Without Modern Commercial Yeast

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics and Investing:

Reader Lee M. sent this: Europe readies the printing press: Europe’s central bank appears to have created a path to implementing Fed-like easy-money policies. If so, it is a huge game-changer for Europe, and the world, as inflation fears come to the fore.

Rex in Tennessee mentioned a piece by John Barnett over at The American Thinker: ‘Mountain Pride’ versus the Welfare State

How does a Gawker spell hypocrite? Gawker and Bain and the Caymans.

Report: Middle class will take years to reverse losses of last decade

Items from The Economatrix:

Top Investor Warns of “Financial Armageddon” as Soros Dumps Bank Stocks, Buys Gold

Gold and Silver Begin Launch on Schedule

Goldman Sachs:  Dump Stocks Before “Fiscal Cliff” Hits

US Silver Output Plunges Between January and May

Odds ‘n Sods:

Mexico scrambles to cope with egg shortage.

   o o o

Stephanie S. sent: This Year’s Drought Is So Severe, You Can See Its Toll on the Mississippi River From Space

   o o o

FCC eyes tax on [broadband] Internet service

   o o o

Reader David J. mentioned that the Sunforce 60-Watt photovoltaic power charging system has been reduced to $222 on Amazon.com. This system was designed with RV owners in mind, but it would work fine at a retreat cabin.

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.)Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 42 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

1,000 Bottles of Water on the Roof, by James C.

It is predicted that 76 million people will die from water related diseases by the year 2020. This statistic may be a drastic underestimation if the collapse occurs before the end of the decade.
Imagine that you just used up your last pocket micro-filter, and although you have access to fresh water, you have no way to purify it. You think about starting a fire to cleanse your mucky pond water or reclaimed rainwater, but looters have sacked several outposts that you trade with in the area, and you fear smoke from a fire may draw unwanted attention to your retreat. Your family is in need of water, what do you do? Well, you may have a supply of water stored in containers from last week in your cache, but if you did not read this article you would not know that the water you stored is now only moderately cleaner than the barrel, river or lake that it came from.

It is known by virtually everyone in the United States that if you boil your water it is safe for consumption. The Clasen 2008: Microbiological Effectiveness and Cost of Disinfecting Water by Boiling in Semi-urban India, exposes this well-known fact to be true, but also discovers the downfall associated with boiling water occurs in its storage after boiling.

Clasen verifies in the field by observing pasteurization habits performed by locals, not scientists in a laboratory, that 99.9% of dangerous materials were removed from water with high fecal matter content in India. The fact that boiling water in a third world country where water quality is beyond horrible should make everyone feel a little safer about using pasteurization as a primary means of water purification, but the study further tests water which had been stored after boiling. The research published discovers that less than 60% of the stored water met the World Health Organizations standards for quality drinking water. How can this be?

The study reveals that a very high percentage of households where drinking water is first boiled that re-contamination occurs during storage and results in the consumption of polluted water. Unlike chemical treatment there is no residual treatment of the water after the water is boiled and placed in a container for storage, so bacteria re-growth is possible even with the slightest contamination. It is important to note that boiling water is by far the preferred method for treating water because when done properly it kills 100% of the pathogens. Clasen’s research highlights the importance of practicing proper water boiling habits and the need for a secondary system to provide an extra measure of safety to ensure that your drinking water is safe.

Secondary Systems of Treatment
I am a fan of learning skills that are not reliant on an open loop supply chain. I have spent the last year practicing my gardening skills, learning how to harvest fruit and vegetables, as well as seed harvesting and storage. This is a closed loop system and is infinitely viable. Much of the material that I have read on water purification focuses on technology or low-tech systems that rely on the availability of machined products. The problem with anything mechanical or technical is that eventually it will break or simply wear out, and then you are faced with the question, now what? I like to take a bottom up approach to all of my preparations. If someone says you should have a steady supply of salt and sugar, the first question I ask is how do I make my own salt and sugar?

In the short term many people will be able to use chlorine, hydrogen peroxide or other forms of chemical treatment as a secondary form of water purification after pasteurization to reduce re-contamination during storage. Even if you are lucky enough to have a ‘Big Berkey’ I would recommend treating any water that is stored, no matter what the primary system of purification is. But what happens when you run out of chlorine or hydrogen peroxide? If you live close to the coast, then salt production can easily enable an endless supply of chlorine, but unfortunately the production of hydrogen peroxide is by far more complicated and dangerous, so what do I do if I am not a mad scientist?

There is another system of water treatment that exists within a closed loop regardless of your location because it makes use of the sun’s powerful UV rays. Although the SODIS method can be used as a primary means of purification, it does not offer a 99.9% treatment capability like pasteurization. The advantage of SODIS (solar disinfecting) is that the water treated is easily stored in the same containers that are used to purify the water, which eliminates the risk of re-contamination. If you plan on using, consuming or cooking with the boiled water immediately then you are relatively safe and a secondary system is not needed. The purpose of this article is to highlight the dangers associated with water storage and provide readers with a closed loop system that ensures that the water stored after TEOTWAWKI is just as safe as water that is consumed after being boiled.

SODIS
In 2009 my architecture firm began designing a portable disaster relief housing unit that could easily be deployed in response to ‘Hurricane Katrina’-type natural disasters. I began researching sustainable technologies that could be implemented in the design to give disaster survivors food, energy and fresh water in a closed loop system. Photovoltaics, natural ventilation, and the ability to grow food on the roof of the structure were all ideas that were incorporated in the design, but water purification technologies either required too much space, complicated mechanical equipment or would eventually require maintenance, and consumed large amounts of energy. After all we had to work with a 10’ x 40’ footprint for easy transportation.

As my research intensified, I began studying water purification techniques used in third world countries. There is one method of water purification that is infinite and accessible to all, the sun. The SODIS (solar water disinfection) method does not require any mechanical devices, electrical power or chemicals. All that is required is a plastic/glass bottle and some sunshine. There are tidbits of information and misinformation regarding SODIS all around the web. I have collected all of this information in hopes of compiling a definitive guide on the process.

How does SODIS work?
UV light destroys the cell structures of bacteria by interfering directly with the metabolism of the bacteria. The UV light additionally reacts with the oxygen dissolved in the water and produces oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxides that are believed to also damage pathogens, preventing reproduction. The solar radiation heats the water and if the temperature rises above 122 degrees Fahrenheit then the disinfection process occurs three times faster. The SODIS method has been proven to destroy diarrhea-causing organisms in polluted drinking water and laboratory experiments have shown that extremely high levels of E. coli populations 100,000 (1-3,000 is a natural maximum) per 100ml of water can be made harmless.

The UV rays can kill germs such as viruses, bacteria and parasites in as little as six hours of exposure to the sun

Bacteria are highly sensitive to UV-A radiation (wavelength 320-400nm) and are quickly killed by sunlight. This is the principal concern when storing water.
The viruses are slightly more resistant, but are also killed within the recommended 6 hours. 
Parasites are less sensitive to sunlight. While giardia cysts are rendered inactive within 6 hours, cryptosporidium cysts must be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 10 hours before they are neutralized. Amoebas do not die until the water temperature has been warmer than 50°C for over an hour.
The Process
First, you must be sure to use clean PET bottles, see the next section on bottles for more information. Fill the bottles with water and close the cap. Bottles should only be filled three-quarters of the way full and be shaken vigorously for 20-30 seconds with the cap on to increase the oxygen content of the water. After oxygenating the water, fill the bottle completely and recap. If you can read black printing on a white paper through the bottle, then the turbidity is low enough that the UV rays from the sun will be able to purify the water. For water with high turbidity use smaller diameter containers so that the sun can fully penetrate the water. If the water is very cloudy then it must be filtered before using the SODIS method, and in general I recommend always filtering water first even if you plan on boiling. The filled bottles need to be exposed to direct sunlight for at least six hours or two days under very cloudy conditions. Solar reflectors or metal roofs are preferred because they increase the amount of sunlight that infiltrates the bottle. After the water has been purified it can be stored in the plastic or glass bottles that they were sterilized in until it is time to drink or use the water. The risk of contamination is greatly minimized if the water is stored in the bottles used for solar disinfection.
Re-growth of bacteria may occur if the water is stored in the dark. Recent studies have shown that simply adding ten parts per million of hydrogen peroxide is effective in preventing the re-growth of wild Salmonella. In addition table salt is an effective agent for reducing the turbidity.

Type of Bottles:
All bottles are not created equal. Thin-walled polyethylene terephthalate, labeled PET or PETE in the US can safely be used for SODIS. These are the water bottles that are marked with a “1” recycling symbol on the bottle.
Nearly all soda bottles, including 2 liter bottles which are great for daily use can be used for SODIS. Care should be taken to minimize scratches and wearing of bottles as this reduces the efficiency of SODIS, because it prevents UV rays from passing through the plastic. Typically plastic bottles need to be replaced every 6-12 months, although if greater care is taken or glass is used then the life-cycle of the bottles is greatly increased. Glass bottles can be used and will last forever under proper care, but you must be sure that they are free of UV-blocking additives.

Additional Filtering
If additional filtering is required there are a number of means that can greatly increase the quality of drinking water. The following is a great source on SODIS and secondary means of water filtration: http://fundacionsodis.org/site/index.php/simple-solutions/safe-water-tutorial/filtering
Due to the abundance of sand in my region, I am biased towards the sand filter, which conveniently is the lowest tech filter of the bunch.

The PotaVida indicator: Practice Makes Perfect
The PotaVida indicator, is not required, but is a great tool to have as you hone your SODIS skills. The indicator is designed to tell you when the water has reached a safe level of drinkability by measuring the water’s exposure to solar irradiation. The PotaVida indicator is not needed for each bottle, it simply measures sun exposure and calculates based on the actual conditions when your water is purified. Get to know how long it takes on a cloudy day in February in your region for a water bottle to be exposed to enough solar radiation to be purified. Keep a journal and log the temperature, day, and the conditions of the sky. This information may save your life one day. It is important to note that this is a learning device that helps you perfect your SODIS skills. The PotaVida indicator runs on solar power, lasts for five years and the price is less than $10 per indicator.

Do Chemicals Leach from the PET bottles?
The leached organic compounds amount to less than 10% of the safe amount for drinking water as defined by the World Health Organization, and studies have shown that no other chemicals are leached into the water during the SODIS process.
If you are using glass bottles then there is no risk of any leaching.

What mistakes do new users make most often?

Use only clear bottles, do not use green or brown bottles because these bottles absorb UV-A light.
Do not use bottles that hold more than 3 liters or are greater than 4” in diameter.
Do not place bottles vertically, they must be laid horizontally. This increases the area exposed to the sunlight and reduces the effective depth of the water the light has to penetrate.
Keep the treated water in the same container, remember that we are trying to prevent re-contamination.
Do not store treated water in dark places, this encourages growth of bacteria. If limited algae growth occurs, the water is still drinkable. Algae are not harmful.
Check the turbidity, pre-filter or better yet, pasteurize your water before using SODIS.

What does SODIS not remove?
SODIS does not remove any toxic chemicals that may already be in the water, which makes it ideal for rainwater sterilization.

Closing Water is by far the most important resource and although there may be some skeptics that dismiss SODIS, it is always wise to be aware of multiple ways to purify water off the grid, and to know the pros and cons associated with each. I strongly encourage everyone to question their strategies for water purification and to become familiar with SODIS and the Readers should also familiarize themselves with the Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, third edition, incorporating first and second addenda, which is available as a free PDF.

Letter Re: Getting A Mortgage After Relocating

Dear Mr. Rawles,
I would like to share with your readers our story on obtaining a mortgage after relocating to one of the Redoubt States. Unfortunately, we did not have enough cash and could not get a loan from relatives, so we needed a mortgage.
 
We relocated to the American Redoubt last summer and started renting, as is usually advised. By winter, we were ready to buy our own place. But before finally getting a favorable loan with US Bank, we had quite unpleasant experience with one of the smaller local banks. After providing them with all kinds of basically know-how information on my husband’s business (he is self-employed) and spending the money on appraisal, we got a denial, because they were “not sure if we would be able to maintain our income at the new place.”. They needed “at least one full year tax return from [residency in] the new state” (and perhaps maybe more) if we were to buy the house as a primary residence. They would not consider it as a vacation property because we already relocated to the area. And we did not qualify for any government program because we make too much money!
 
Other lenders in the area had various opinions on our situation, with a few saying that they currently have no products for us, while several others could only offer less favorable terms (significantly larger down payment and higher interest rate) than what we could qualify for otherwise.
 
It sounds like the mortgage industry is rather cautious these days, so please be aware of those potential difficulties. I wish we knew about them in advance. – Wi

Economics and Investing:

Tim J. sent a link to an excellent essay by Wayne Allyn Root with some sobering comparisons to 1929: Why we are on the brink of the greatest Depression of all time.

From G.G.: Nearly half of Fannie Mae REO unable to reach market

GOP boosts gold ahead of convention

B.B. sent: Big Income Losses for Those Near Retirement

Items from The Economatrix:

S&P 500:  The War For 1,400 Has Begun

8 Economic Threats That We Were Not Even Talking About At The Beginning Of Summer

Eric Sprott:  The Financial System’s Death Knell?

Gerald Celente:  The Fate Of The World, Money & Gold

Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J.R. spotted this: Heavy Duty 275 Gallon Rain Barrel

   o o o

Reader S.O.B. sent this: Migration in the Americas: US retirees flock to Nicaragua

   o o o

Jake K. suggested a brief video tour of The Utah Bishops’ Central Storehouse. [JWR’s Comment: While there is a doctrinal chasm that forever divides us, I greatly admire the dedication of the LDS church in encouraging food storage.]

   o o o

Over at Packing Pretty: The Heart of the Matter: Why We Carry. And speaking of concealed carry, here is one to file under Sour Grapes: Boulder Students Can Pack Pistols This Term

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” – Jude 1:16-21 (KJV)

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.)Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 42 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.