The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. The TSA is at it again. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, this utterly useless agency has found yet another way to annoy travelers.

Plastic Knife

My favorite crazy knife maker, kiwami japan has released yet another knife manufacturing video. This one is made from a plastic coke bottle. This one was quite a bit easier to make than some of his previous knives, but still rates right about in the middle for sharpness. I do wish he would include how many hours it took him to make the knife in his description though. His sharpening methods are always manual and produce very uniform and beautiful results.

As a bonus, he has started to include little tips and easy gadgets to make certain tasks easier. The one included in this video is how to modify a cardboard parchment paper dispenser to dispense the paper and at the same time get rid of the “curl” that drives everyone crazy.

TSA

First it was your laptops and phones, then it was your liquids and your shoes. Now, the TSA wants your snacks. Despite not being part of the agency’s standard procedures, a recommendation issued by the agency last year is gaining steam. Many screening check points now require you to remove your snacks from your carry on luggage and place them in a separate bin. It should be noted that despite treating every passenger as a criminal, the TSA has a horrible track record for the exact task they are supposed to carry out. Study after study shows how easily contraband makes it past the screeners, Yet in their entire existence, not one terrorist plot has been foiled by their actions. This may actually be the one agency that is less desirable than the BATF. Thanks to DSV for the link.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – June 30, 2018

June 30th is the first anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire. (In 2013.)

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. 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,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  6. 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).

Round 77 ends on July 31st, 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.

Some Sad News and a Prayer Request for Mama Liberty

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I have some sad news: Mama Liberty, a friend here in the Redoubt, has posted word in The Price of Liberty blog that she is dying of an aggressive cancer, and that she will no longer be blogging. Please, please pray for complete healing for her. And if it is not God’s will that she be healed, pray that she should be granted comfort, strength, and peace in her final months on this mortal coil.

Mama Liberty has fought the good fight for individual liberty for many years. Her wise writings have had a galvanizing effect on American Patriots. Many of her blog posts (since 2003) are some of the best and most succinct libertarian essays that I’ve ever read. Like the words of all great writers, her writings will long out-live her.

I have deep respect for Mama Liberty, her writings, and how she firmly stood her ground. She is genuinely deserving of our prayers. Please read this Psalm and fervently and regularly pray for her:

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.  – Psalm 107:15-22 (KJV)

Please delve into the archives of her posts. Here is just one pithy example: The Free Cheese.

To send her a note of encouragement and thanks for her excellent work, you may use this address:  mamaliberty@rtconnect.net

My Thanks To You, – JWR

Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 3, by B.M.

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A recent trip 900 miles from home got me to thinking about what I’d face if the EMP/Solar Flare hit while I was that far away. As a result, I began making plans and thinking through the details of getting back home when that far from home and alone. This is the final part of this article series.

The Daily Grind

Every activity throughout the day should be focused on securing food, water, and shelter. You are in hunter-gatherer mode, and you need to behave accordingly, if you are going to make it.

Pay Attention To Your Feet

Pay particular attention to your feet. Change your socks, use foot powder, et cetera. If you can find a pair of cross trainers along the way, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. If you lose the ability to walk due to foot injuries, you are as good as dead.

Conserve Resources

Remember resources are now extremely limited, so conserve and use as little as possible. Once you are out of something, you have to assume that you are out of it permanently.

Continue reading“Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 3, by B.M.”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:

It was a busy yet quiet week here at the ranch.  I made some major progress on getting in our firewood for next winter. As it now stands, I’ve worked us up to a reserve of an extra 15 cords.  That provides a comfortable margin, just in case of a future injury or perhaps a volcanically-induced year or two “without a summer“.

My work in the woodlot ate up most of my non-sleeping and non-writing hours. I also helped Avalanche Lily by hauling some compost material to the main garden. I wish that I had something more exciting to mention, but 90% of family preparedness is just plain old repetitive hard work and practice.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Sending authorities into a tizzy, our favorite knife maker is at it again with a cardboard knife.

Cardboard Knife

Our favorite crazy knife maker is back at it again. This time, the knife is made from Amazon cardboard boxes. As usual, the maker takes you through the process from creating the knife from the raw materials, through sharpening and then using it. Since it is cardboard and the very act of using it will create the conditions to destroy it (moisture) the maker does have to us a wax protectant on it. As usual, the whole process is fascinating. This knife is rated relatively low on his scale of ability to be sharpened, but is still quite usable. This guy must be Britain’s nightmare.

Tasing Torture

Renegade cops in Ashland City, Tennessee, have been arrested for the tasing torture of an 18 year old man. The man had been arrested on drug related charges and had somewhat of a mental breakdown in jail. The officers decided to use tasing torture, tasing him multiple times while he was strapped to a chair and gagged. At one point, he is tased for over 30 seconds. This is a prime example of jack-booted tactics in a police state. While the officers are being charged, probably because there is hard video evidence of the session, they have both plead not guilty and have been released with no bail. Again, an example of a police state. No regular citizen would have been released without bail in this situation. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

Preparedness Notes for Friday – June 29, 2018

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On June 29th, 1941, the Germans invaded and occupied Lvov, in eastern Galicia, in Ukraine, slaughtering thousands of people. Russia followed a scorched earth policy as Germany invaded just as they had during Napoleon’s invasion. The burned, destroyed, flooded, dismantled and removed anything and everything in territory that they were forced to give up. As the Germans moved in, the Soviets proceeded to murder 3,000 Ukrainian political prisoners. It was so bad that the Germans were actually seen as liberators by the local population.

Sadly, within days, they were forced to endure the horrors of the Nazi regime as some 2.5 million Ukrainians were shipped to Germany as slave laborers and the Ukrainian Jews were subjected to the same vicious racial policies as in Poland. Over 600,000 were murdered. Even the Ukrainian nationalists participated in the bloodshed by scapegoating Jews for “Bolshevism” killing them in the streets.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. 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,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  6. 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).

Round 77 ends on July 31st, 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.

Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 2, by B.M.

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A recent trip 900 miles from home got me to thinking about what I’d face if the EMP/Solar Flare hit while I was that far away. As a result, I began making plans and thinking through the details of getting back home when that far from home and alone. I’ve gone over the scenario and also how to travel without a vehicle, by bicycle or walking. Now, let’s get into some more details.

Clothing

What clothing is needed will be unique to your locale. In my case, I traveled in convertible cargo shorts/pants, Merrill hiking shoes, good sturdy socks, underwear that helps prevent chafing, and a wick dry t-shirt that was oversized and black to break up print of my concealed weapon. I also keep an extra pair of cargo shorts in my bag. Your local environment will dictate your attire. My entire trip, the temperature was never lower than 85 degrees during the day and 75 at night.

Maps

Try to secure maps of the areas that you’ll have to travel through. The more detailed the map the better chance for rapid movement through the area. Maps will provide a guideline for your travels through areas; however, nothing replaces your eyes, ears, and other senses when you are traveling.

Continue reading“Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 2, by B.M.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on Bank Stocks.

Precious Metals:

Gold price falls to six-month low as trade war fears boost dollar

o o o

Gold Prices Ignore Weaker Than Expected GDP In Q1

o o o

Video: Silver Technical Analysis for June 28, 2018 by FXEmpire.com.  JWR’s Comment:  This dip could be a good time to buy physical silver.

 

Stocks:

Reader H.L. sent this: China Stocks Enter BEAR MARKET! Deutsche Bank Hits RECORD LOW! Bank Stocks FALL!

o o o

CNBC Video: Tough June for Bank Stocks. JWR’s Comment: The effects of the Yield Curve flattening (or inverting) are inescapable. Look for the bank stocks to suffer for the rest of 2018.

o o o

Meanwhile, in India: Bank stocks tumble on RBI red flags on NPAs; S&P BSE Bankex down

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – June 28, 2018

June 28th, 1703 was the birthday of John Wesley, who died 2 March 1791.

o o o

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. 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,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  6. 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).

Round 77 ends on July 31st, 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.

Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 1, by B.M.

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I recently had to travel approximately 900 miles by vehicle, due to a family emergency. I was gone for ten days. The drive was easy and uneventful. It covered hundreds of miles of open, rural terrain, but I also traveled through two massive urban metropolises’ and multiple intermediate sized cities. That trip got me to thinking about what I’d face if the EMP/Solar Flare hit while I was that far away from home. I spent the better part of 13 hours each way observing the terrain and thinking about what I would do if it happened. Where would I stay? How much gear would I carry? What route would I take home? Where would I obtain my sustenance? You see these are contingencies that you cannot plan for, because you are unfamiliar with the terrain. Also, you cannot carry enough food for a minimum of a six- to eight-week walk.

The Nightmare

Imagine the lack of communication, the lack of transportation, the daily grind of having enough food and water. Then, think about moving through towns where the populations are paranoid or lacking in supplies, the desperation of the people who are in the same situation that you are in, and the stress of being in unfamiliar territory. This is truly the nightmare scenario. You have prepped, trained, and educated yourself and your loved ones on what to do in case this happens, and now you are 900 miles away from your home, and away from your supplies. Most frighteningly, you are alone. What do you do?

Before Your Trip

First and foremost, as I have always said, preplanning is your best defense. Make sure your family is secure and able to function for a significant amount of time without you. When you don’t have to worry about the home front, you can travel with peace of mind. You can focus on the task at hand. Morale in this scenario is your greatest ally or your worst enemy. Fear can paralyze you and cause you to make irrational and desperate decisions. Preplanning can go a long way to alleviating fear.

Continue reading“Getting Home Long Distance in the Event of An EMP/Solar Flare- Part 1, by B.M.”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Today features and interesting article on the ultimate survivor – a Japanese man that willing walked away from civilization.

Florida Gun Control

Reader Tim J. sent us this: Alachua County Commissioners vote on gun ordinance.

JWR’s Comment: It is safe to predict that this will be stricken by the Florida courts, since Florida has reserved State Preemption over all firearms laws for many years.

6.5 Creedmoor

According to this article sent in by reader G.P., U.S. Special Operations troops will soon be fielding sniper systems in the 6.5 Creedmoor caliber. The round is slated to replace the venerable 7.62×51 and has superior long-range ballistic performance. This caliber has long been a favorite of civilian long-range precision shooters. This move by the pentagon will give it more main-stream acceptance. The article also states that Homeland Security will follow suit in the caliber change for their snipers. I’m curious about this move though. It was my understanding that while the military sniper specialized in long-range targets, Homeland Security tended towards shorter range.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”