The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Children who reach the age of eighteen with their entire skillset composed of Nintendo and eating Doritos have been neglected. Their parents neglected to give them the character traits necessary to live successfully.” – Dave Ramsey

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 12, 2025

On February 12, 1818, Chile gained independence from Spain.

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February 12, 1870: An official proclamation set April 15 1870 as the last day of grace for US silver coins to circulate in Canada.

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Ready Made Resources (our longest-running advertiser) has announced a special overstock sale on military contract canned freeze-dried foods. These include some premium meats and are available in individual #10 cans, or in six-can case lots. Stock up!

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I’m scheduled for cataract surgery on my right eye, today. Even though this surgery is now considered a “routine” outpatient procedure, I’m still feeling a bit anxious.  So I’d appreciate your prayers. – JWR

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 117 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 $287 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. 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. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail 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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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. 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.

Fuels for Cooking, Warmth and Comfort – Part 2, by Lodge Pole

(Continued from Part 1.)

Tools for Cutting Wood at Home

Wheelbarrow or manure cart- I use these to haul wood and cutting equipment. Occasionally, someone will offer me free firewood they cut some time previously. Sometimes, if it is seasoned and not split, the wood can be heavy. In these circumstances, I will use a furniture dolly, but I try to never cut and/or haul anything that large/heavy.

Hunting/Boy’s Axe – I prefer using a two-pound “boy’s axe” because it is extremely light, and easily maneuverable. This is strictly used for delimbing.
Splitting maul – I use these not only for splitting wood, but also for driving wedges. An eight, or ten-pound splitting maul seems to work best for me and the wood I split. The weight of your splitting maul is strictly personal preference.
Gas-powered wood splitter – These are a time saver and are very helpful in processing a lot of wood quickly. Ensure all your limbs and appendages are clear of the blade, rams, and wedges. Until last year, I split most firewood by hand. I love a beefy eight-pound maul with a synthetic handle. I prefer wooden handles, but I have had far too many of them break after very little use. The synthetic handled mauls can withstand far more abuse and for a much longer time. Eventually, they all break, but it takes a lot longer with a synthetic handle. In early 2024, I finally broke down and bought a log splitter. I love it. Under the right conditions, I can split a cord of wood in about an hour.
Chainsaw and associated tools/fluids – I currently use a Stihl 271 Farm Boss. It’s a great chainsaw and has never failed me. When this one needs to be replaced, I may look at other brands.
Sledgehammer – Either handheld or full-size. On too many occasions, I have had a stubborn piece of firewood get stuck on the wood splitter wedge. A few hits from a sledgehammer usually take care of the stuck piece quickly. Be careful though. I swung and hit a stuck piece of wood once, when the wooden handle broke, launching the hammerhead and a sharp piece of handle flying into my friend’s chest. Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt too badly.
I also use full-sized sledgehammers for driving steel wedges into hard, stringy or stubborn wood. Sometimes, a splitting maul just won’t do the trick, or isn’t balanced enough to turn around and use the flat, hammer side. Again, the weight and size are a matter of personal preference.Continue reading“Fuels for Cooking, Warmth and Comfort – Part 2, by Lodge Pole”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Will North Carolina Be The 30th Constitutional Carry State?

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A recent purchaser of one of our waterproof 2005-2024 blog archive USB sticks wrote to ask about what appeared to be inconsistent access to the “Index” page and to the library of bonus books.  I sent him this explanation:

The archive essentially emulates seeing the blog with a WWW connection. The internal links in the archive stick display point you to the archive contents, but the external links point you to the World Wide Web (WWW), if your computer is connected to the Internet.  Once you are on the web with an active connection, if you click back to SurvivalBlog, then you will be on our active website, rather than sourcing the archive. Thus, the bonus books will seem to disappear.
The best way to test the archive stick’s key functionality is with the Internet disconnected. (Either disconnect your Ethernet cable, or turn off the connection to your wireless router.) That will simulate what you’ll be able to access on the SurvivalBlog archive USB in the event of a disaster — with no working Internet service. All of the bonus books and every SurvivalBlog post since August 2005 is available, again without the need for web access.  – JWR

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EVs Lose 20% Range On Average In Freezing Weather, Study Finds. (A hat tip to D.S.V. for the link.)

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 11, 2025

On February 11, 1851, gold was discovered in east-central New South Wales, sparking Australia’s first gold rush.  Pictured is Bernard Otto Holtermann with the world’s largest monolithic gold specimen, in North Sydney.  It reportedly weighed 630 pounds.

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On February 11, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini seized power in Iran. Just a few days after Khomeini’s triumphant return from French exile, the Iranian army stepped aside, making way for the creation of an Islamic theocracy.

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Because I have the first of two eye surgeries scheduled for tomorrow, I have put a pause on the automated ordering system for Elk Creek Company. I’m mailing out one order today, and I have two other orders boxed and ready to mail, as soon as checks clear. But I won’t be taking any new orders for a while. (The gun and knife inventory is still visible, but the ordering buttons and “shopping cart” have been temporarily disabled.)  Assuming that my recovery goes well, the “store vacation” will end on March 5, 2025.  Thanks for your patience.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 117 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 $287 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. 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. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail 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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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. 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.

 

Fuels for Cooking, Warmth and Comfort – Part 1, by Lodge Pole

Before buying our home, we rented it. The first winter living there, I had forgotten to call and get a propane fill-up. When I checked the tank level, it showed 1%. I called the propane company, explained that I needed a fill-up, and was told they could not service me for another week or more. The only exception was if I agreed to be placed “on route”, which meant they would fill my tank when they were in our area, every two weeks. We needed propane to stay warm since our only heat was an HVAC system, so I agreed to be “on route”. If you are a “will-call” customer, the propane company will not fill your tank unless it is below thirty percent. Being “on route” means the propane truck will top off your tank regardless of the tanks propane level. Our tank was filled the following day after a credit check and agreeing to be placed on route. As I said, these “top-offs” were every two weeks and began to get expensive. It was about two to three hundred dollars each time we were refilled. As soon as we didn’t need to run the heater, I called the propane company and changed our service to will call.

One day during a fill-up, the propane delivery driver told me the cost was .47 cents a gallon more than my neighbors because my tank was smaller than 200 gallons. He told me not to say a word about it, but since I no longer use that company, I believe it is acceptable to warn you that you might currently be taken advantage of. At the time, our house only had a 150-gallon tank. My wife and I planned to put a 500-gallon tank in, but the costs skyrocketed right before we bought our house. A 500-gallon tank ran about $500 a few years prior. Over the past few years, I have seen them reaching as much as $3,500 in some neighboring counties. We shopped around for almost three years until we finally found one.Continue reading“Fuels for Cooking, Warmth and Comfort – Part 1, by Lodge Pole”

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, an emphasis on some backcountry adventures in the American Redoubt.

Idaho

This video gives you some glimpses of our “back yard”: Almost Canada —  Outdoor Idaho.

o  o  o

And farther south, in the Bitterroot range:

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BITTERROOTS, PART 1 — Outdoor Idaho

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BITTERROOTS, PART2 — Outdoor Idaho

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The Frank — Outdoor Idaho.

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Exploring 100 Miles of the Remote Idaho Backcountry.

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Massive 40-foot avalanche buries Idaho highway.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 10, 2025

On February 10, 1906, the British battleship HMS Dreadnought was launched after only 100 days. It rendered all other capital ships obsolete with its revolutionary design.

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February 10, 1918: In Finland, General Carl Gustaf Emil Von Mannerheim gathered an army known as the ‘White Guard’ to mount a counter-revolution against the Bolshevik ‘Red Guard’.

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February 10,  1951:  “John and Marsha” by Stan Freberg, a parody of daytime soap operas which had only two voices repeating each other’s names, peaked at #21 in the USA.

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Today’s feature article is a review written by our own Tom Christianson.

 

Right Rope 3/8 Inch Polyester Double Braid Rope, by Thomas Christianson

One of my heroes is the late American humorist and outdoorsman Patrick F. McManus. Among Mr. McManus’ vast treasury of reflections about the human condition is a comment about rope. He wrote, “Give a man enough rope and it still will come out 6 inches too short. That is the nature of rope, if not the nature of man.” (“At Loose Ends”, in The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw.) I am happy to report that in one instance at least, the great Mr. McManus is not entirely correct.

I recently tested a 3/8 inch polyester double braid rope from Right Rope LLC of Saranac, Michigan. The rope was compact, strong, easy to tie, easy to untie, abrasion-resistant, and easy to handle without tangling. At approximately 78 feet in length, it was quite long enough for everything that I wanted to do with it. The rope effectively handles all the tasks for which I used it during the testing period without fail or strain. As an added benefit, the rope is made in the USA.

The 78-foot length that I tested was labeled as 75 feet in length and so priced at $39.75 at the time of this writing from RightRope.com. I highly recommend it.Continue reading“Right Rope 3/8 Inch Polyester Double Braid Rope, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week:

The following recipe for Grandma’s Dutch Oven Corn Dodgers is from SurvivalBlog reader Joanna E.  She says:

“Corn Dodgers are just round or oblong balls of cornbread. They are usually served with chili or with stew. But you can eat them separately, as a trail food. These store fairly well, but you may have to soften them with either broth or milk if they’ve been stored more than a day or two.”

Ingredients
  • 2 cups of cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon of white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
Directions
  1. Pre-heat a Dutch Oven to baking temperature.
  2. Combine the cornmeal, white sugar, butter, salt, and milk in a saucepan.
  3. Cook the mixture in the saucepan, stirring regularly until an even consistency.
  4. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit for four or five minutes.
  5. Thoroughly mix in the baking powder.
  6. Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the mixture as separate blobs into the hot Dutch oven.
  7. Cover the Dutch Oven.
  8. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges are brown.
  9. Remove Dodgers from heat.
Serving

These are great served warm, with butter and/or honey.

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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: Map of North American Power Grids. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

 

 

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

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 9, 2025

On February 9, 1870, US President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law resulting in the US Army Signal Service’s establishment of its “Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce”. This later became known as the National Weather Service.

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On February 9th, 1555, my 17th great grandfather, Rowland Taylor (born October 6, 1510) was burned alive at the stake during the Marian Persecutions, for professing that Bible scripture is inerrant. He died singing hymns. His martyrdom is described in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. – JWR

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February 9th is the birthday of gun writer Major George Charles Nonte Jr. (Born 1926, died June 30, 1978.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 117 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. 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. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail 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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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. 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.