Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

I believe this could be an important article. Few preppers in my region in the cold Intermountain West possess an adequate supply and ability to keep their chainsaws in operation for more than a year or two.  This area of prepping is overlooked or underappreciated.  I suspect that as many folks will freeze to death during the first winter after a collapse as those who die of malnutrition. In the cold north, the risk of dying from hypothermia is greater than the risk of being killed by a gunshot or a bacterial infection.  This is a huge hole in the plans of most preppers.

While I could explain how to overhaul a motor or sharpen a chain, it is better to outline what is needed to keep a chainsaw operational for many years to come.  Here are four crucial factors:

1.) Selecting the appropriate size saw.

2.) Supplying it with the correct two-cycle oil, and fuel, and bar oil.

3.) Having enough spare chains and the files to sharpen those chains.

4.) For the long term or to ensure that existing and well-used saws can remain in operation, a supply of the key small and wearing parts.

Continue reading“Chainsaws for a Decade of Service – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a look at the issue of “Corner Crossings.” (See the Region-Wide section.)

Region-Wide

Corner crossing debate Tensions between public access, private property rights.

o  o  o

For some interesting history reading: Our Checkered Past. Here is an excerpt:

“Despite the distractions of the Civil War, in 1860 industry lobbyists and Congressional expansionists introduced the idea of granting federal lands along the southern route to railroad companies as a means of compensating them for the cost of laying track. The idea didn’t progress until 1864, by which time Perham’s original Peoples’ Pacific Railroad had become the Northern Pacific. Congress initially offered a 200-foot right of way on either side of the track to cross federal lands along the northern route. After more lobbying, the railroad wound up receiving up to 20 sections of land per mile of track across federal property and 10 sections on state lands. The math reveals an astounding total of 40 million acres gifted to private interests, almost all of it in the West.”

Idaho

Public lands access clashes with private property rights as Wilkses lock up land.

o  o  o

North Idaho Snowmobiling Thrown into Disarry After Last-Minute Wrench. (Our thanks to blog reader C.B. for the link.)

o  o  o

Here is a horse water rescue video, suggested by SurvivalBlog reader Jon C.:  RESCUING BIG JOE.

“This horse is named Big Joe. He is [a] draft cross that was donated to the Horseshoeing School a few years ago. Riley trained him to ride and taught him the basics. Riley’s father, Don, owner of Rocking M Quarter Horses, found him to be a phenomenal ranch horse. Joe found his home at Don’s Horse ranch in central Idaho.

A few days ago, Joe fell into a deep hole in a pasture while checking cows. The hole was made by a leaky water mainline and was just big enough for Joe to wedge his whole body in. Thanks to quick thinking by Don Mickelsen, they saved him and he is making a full recovery.”

o  o  o

Invasive moth found in Sandpoint, first time in 30 years.
Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 4, 2024

On November 4, 1929, Richard E. Byrd (pictured), Laurence McKinley Gould, and their polar expedition team began a 2½ month, 1,500-mile dog-sled journey into the Queen Maud Mountains. This was the first exploration of the interior of Antarctica.

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November 4th is the birthday of Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone. He was born in 1916 in Buffalo, New York.  The town still has an annual parade, in his honor, and a John Basilone mural was recently painted.

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Because the owner of Seed for Security is retiring and shutting down the business at the end of this month, we are seeking a new writing contest prize donor and a new banner advertiser. If you have a product of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, this is a great way to get some great publicity, with hundreds of click-throughs. This explains one reason why so many of our prize donors have been such loyal supporters, year after year. Oh, and be sure to get your order in at Seed for Security before they close their doors!

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Today’s feature article is a review penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

OmniWool Merino Wool Hiking Socks, by Thomas Christianson

OmniWool Merino Wool Hiking Socks are comfortable and reasonably priced socks that are appropriate for everyday or field wear. Early in my testing, I would not have recommended them for extended field use. At first, the socks began to get less comfortable after a couple of days of continuous wear. But over the intervening months of use, they have gradually become more and more comfortable. Now I would not hesitate to wear them for extended field use, as well.

At the time of this writing, the socks in size medium were priced at $19.99 for a 3-pack at www.crescentsockshop.com. In size Large, the socks were out of stock.Continue reading“OmniWool Merino Wool Hiking Socks, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Nigerian Kamu

The following recipe for Nigerian Kamu (Cream of Wheat) is from SurvivalBlog reader Tammy S.  She says: “This is a simple and comforting breakfast food that can be made with just three of your standard storage foods. It is great to cheer you up on a cold morning.”

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (ground from your stored wheat.)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
Directions
  1. Pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan.
  2. Heat on a hot stove until it boils.
  3. In a large cup or a small mixing bowl, add water to the whole wheat flour and mix it in. It should be fairly thick.
  4. Add to the boiling water.
  5. Reduce heat and stir gently until it is as thick as desired.
  6. Add the sugar, and stir it in.
  7. Remove from heat.
  8. Add the powdered milk, and stir it in.
SERVING

The Kamu can be further sweetened with a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup on top, if you have a sweet tooth.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic: A map showing Top Marginal State Income Tax Rates, as of 2024. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

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Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 3, 2024

November 3, 1917: The price of 1st Class US mail stamps was increased to 3 cents per ounce. This was dubbed a “Wartime Emergency Rate.”  It had been 2 cents since 1885.  It reverted to 2 cents in 1919, and did not rise to 3 cents again until 1932.  As of October, 2024, the one-ounce rate is now 73 cents. Recently, postal rate increases have been taking place at less than one-year intervals, and the latest increase was a 5-cent jump.

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On November 3, 1783, George Washington ordered the Continental Army disbanded.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 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.

POL for Preppers and Shooters by Dr. Rick

POL is a military acronym for “Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants.” And “Petroleum” in military lingo generally refers to all types of fuels, but we could rename it for our purposes as “Protectants” or “Preservatives,” which is part of the subject of this article.

The in-depth study of oils and lubricants is rather scientific and in the domain of applied mechanical engineering. The products mentioned in this article are simply ones that I have found “that work” in my 60+ years as a hobby machinist, gunsmith, and shooter. I am simply sharing. I neither endorse these products nor receive compensation from their manufacturers. While the emphasis of this article is on firearms, the information is equally applicable to all tools and garden/farm equipment.  I won’t be covering the topic of automobile engine oils.  Nor will I cover petroleum fuels.

I prefer to use “specific purpose” products rather than “multipurpose” ones. While there may be many satisfactory multipurpose products on the market, these products in my opinion represent a compromise of some of the desirable qualities at the expense of others, akin to a “one size fits no one” clothing analogy. “Mixing and matching,” (using a product for other than its intended purpose, aka “off label” use) is generally unreliable and could be dangerous. With some notable exceptions, I prefer mineral-based (fatty-acid) products over synthetic, paraffin-based, organic, “water-soluble,” metallic oxides, or ceramic products. Your preferences may vary. “Preservative” products are generally more appropriate for museum conservators, collectors, or as a decoration.Continue reading“POL for Preppers and Shooters by Dr. Rick”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

“You Were Speeding, So I Need To See Your I.D.”

“I Can’t Today, Officer. I’m On My Way To Go Vote!”

News Links:

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.” – John 5:24-33 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 2, 2024

On November 2, 1698, Scottish settlers made landfall in Panama, establishing the ill-fated ‘Darien Venture’ colony.

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November 2, 1907: US banker J. P. Morgan locked more than 40 bankers in his library to force them to find ways to avert a New York banking crisis.

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On November 2, 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour submitted a declaration of intent to establish a Jewish homeland known as the Balfour Declaration. While Arab hostilities and the outbreak of World War II delayed the desired outcome, the Nation of Israel was eventually re-established in 1948.

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And on this day in 1932, the “Great Emu War” began. Australian soldiers armed with Lewis Guns seeking to cull the Emu population over crop destruction in Campion district, Western Australia.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 115 ends on November 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.

Just-In-Time Food Storage – Part 5, by St. Funogas

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.)

Canned Vegetables – 52 15-oz Cans

For variety with meals.

Peanut Butter – 12 40-oz jars

Twelve jars of peanut butter sounds like a boat load to some people but again, our daily menus after the SHTF will change greatly from what they are now with so many processed and or refrigerated/frozen foods.

Of course, peanut butter will work as a food-storage item for some people but not others. With the same money you can get another 48 cans of canned tuna and/or chicken, or other food items, but all will have fewer calories per pound than peanut butter.

With 2,675 calories per pound peanut butter takes up less storage room calorie-wise than other foods, plus it has good nutritional value. Peanut butter goes best with the fresh bread we’ll be baking or can be eaten straight out of the jar when the Mr. Planters run out.

Do an Internet search on peanut butter recipes and you’ll find all kinds of interesting ways to use it in cooking. If you have cocoa powder in your cupboard you can combine the two to make Reece’s-Cup-tasting baked items such as brownies and cakes. I use peanut butter as a thickener in hummus when I don’t have tahini.Continue reading“Just-In-Time Food Storage – Part 5, by St. Funogas”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

Fall weather is now rolling in, with full force. A so-called “atmospheric river” has a series of La Niña-driven storms lined up, across the northern Pacific Ocean.  In short, we are expecting a very snowy winter in the Inland Northwest.

To be ready to plow snow on short notice, I positioned our time-proven “fence” made of  2x4s across the bed of our pickup, just behind the wheel wells. That keeps six 80-pound sandbags from shifting forward. Those bags are, as the song goes: “…just for weight, dear…”  Sitting alongside them is a 4-gallon plastic container of sand — a re-purposed cat litter jug. That jug is there in case we need to pour any traction sand in a hurry.  This time of year we also carry tow chains in both our pickup and our SUV.  And, of course, we habitually carry a snow shovel, at least one sleeping bag, and spare heavy winter coats, this time of year.

Now, Lily’s report…Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”