Alright folks – another installment of “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, why’d the chicken cross the road – whatever.
Go ahead – “make my day.”
JR
Here is another installment of “From the Front Lines”. Basically a collection of random thoughts related to preparedness, current events, and whatever else that’s on my mind.
Here’s a little something to think about…….
Take care all –
JR
UPDATE: THIS SPECIAL DEAL IS STILL ACTIVE AND WILL BE SO UNTIL MAY 31st.
After publishing my review of the HX Outdoors Survival Knife I was contacted by GearBest.com. They created a special coupon code that will reduce the HX from $45.32 down to $37.99.
Remember – there is still Free Shipping even with the discounted price.
As with all orders from GearBest this is shipping directly from China so a wait time of 2-3 weeks is necessary. No big deal to me especially if money is being saved.
If interested click HERE and use the coupon code “HXDJ”. I’m not sure how long the code is good for.
Take care all –
Rourke
Full disclosure – Gearbest.com sent me the HX Outdoors Survival Knife for free with the acknowledgement I would conduct an honest review.
The HX Outdoors Survival Knife is one of many knives in the “all-in-one” category. When carrying the HX not only do you have the knife itself but included in the sheath is a firestarter and sharpener. Often these types of knives are looked down upon and looked at as a gimmick. So, is the HX Outdoors Survival Knife any good?
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The photo slideshow below pictures the HX in new condition prior to testing.
[slideshow_deploy id=’1631′]
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The HX Survival Knife is 8.6″ inches overall in length. Blade length is 3.5″ inches. This is not a large knife and most of it is handle. In the hand this thing feels rock solid and very controllable. For a knife this size it is rather heavy but for good reason. It is built form one solid block of steel – from tip to end.
The HX is made from “D2” steel. D2 steel is often used in applications such as shears, planners, and industrial cutting. Although not technically stainless it is very resistant to rust.
The handles are made from an extremely durable material called “G10” – which is very similar to Micarta. They are held in place by screws having Torx heads. I did throw the knife numerous times and was able to get it to stick consistently once distance and rotations were determined. In the process the knife hit the tree many times on its side and the handles never loosened up and no damage incurred other than scuff marks.
The blade came out of the box extremely sharp. In fact this was one of the sharpest knives I have ever had new. Coated with a flat black coating they call “vacuum plating black titanium”. Whatever it is so far it has held up well. The 3.5″ blade combined with large handle lends itself well to fine detailed carving and cutting. This is not a batoning knife.
The handle has two lashing holes and there is a third hole(lanyard) in the pommel. I did not try to attach the knife to a stick but it should be fairly easy. I like the size of the holes which seem sized perfectly for paracord.
The butt-end is solid and has numerous raised points to help it stay on task when pounding on nails – or trying to break a window. Remember – this knife is all from a solid piece of steel thus there is no concern of the butt-end coming off. I pounded the pommel on a large rock 50 times with nothing happening but some scuffs on the knife and creating some dust on the rock. It is solid.
The sheath is Kydex and the knife slides in easily then locks in place with an audible “snap”. Retainment is excellent. There is a slight wobble once in the sheath. No issues and it works well.
The built in fire starter works better than I do. I tried to start a fire a couple days after some torrential downpours and had little success. Strikes on the fire starter threw large sparks easily. Finding the right tinder was unsuccessful. While making my attempt one of my husky’s ran by and I reached out and grabbed a handful of fur(they are throwing their undercoat now). Placed the fur down and struck the ferrocerium rod and the fur lit right up. I tossed a Wetfire Tinder cube in and a fire was started.
The T-handle fire starter snaps into place on the sheath securely.
The sharpener is embedded along the spine of the sheath and feels rather rough. For putting an edge on a dulling blade to get it back into action it works well. Want a razor sharp edge? Look elsewhere as that is not its intended purpose.
The HX Outdoors Survival Knife is an excellent value. It is an extremely rugged knife with an excellent sheath and the side benefit of having a built-in fire starter and sharpener. It is machined from a solid block of steel and feels fantastic in the hand.
Cost is around $45.00 with Free Shipping.
Recommended.
This past week had me thinking a lot about preparedness and goals to reach over the next 18 months. Feel pretty good where I’m at and where I need to go.
Over this past week:
So – what have you done this past week?
JR
For most people the loss of a job is devastating. In today’s economy finding a job paying the same amount of money or close can be very difficult. Many people have multiple streams of income – just in case. I know a few that have second jobs, or side businesses.
Multiple streams of income is something I have been thinking about. My father dies 1 year before retiring. He worked his whole life with anticipation of retiring in New Bern, NC. He wanted to live out his Golden Years on a sailboat with my mother. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and died 1 year later never knowing the freedom of retirement or feeling the waves under him on that sailboat.
That was over 20 years ago.
Today as I get older I think about what the future holds and I do not want that same thing to happen to me. Is there a way to “retire” early or take a break from working in order to live life and experience that freedom at a younger age?
I’m thinking of developing a 5 year plan. The goal would be to be in a position to stop my normal job and “work” minimal hours taking care of my secondary sources of income. Of course 5 years from now we might be in the midst of an economic collapse or zombie apocalypse.
Hmmmm…..what could I put in place to make this happen? If it was easy everyone would do it.
JR
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A New Knife Recommendation – CURRENTLY TESTING
I received the HX Outdoors Survival Knife a couple weeks ago and in the midst of evaluating. I can tell you this is the sharpest knife I have ever had EXCEPT for a Cold Steel Recon Tanto I owned back in the late 80’s. This thing came SHARP.
Here are a few of the features:
D2 coated blade and Kydex sheath, more durable, wear-resistance
G10 material handle
Tail hammer will help you break the window or hammer
Two holes of the handle make it easy to make into the spear
Detachable magnesium rod for firestarting
Built in diamond sharpener on sheath
[slideshow_deploy id=’1416′]
This past week has been very stressful and frustrating. This happens to me every so often when I try to comprehend the state of this country and the actions of some people. I fully realize that it is an effort in futility but nevertheless try to I do. To get back my sanity I have to tune out the news and spend time out in God’s creation.
A few things that are simply blowing my mind:
“The world is fighting Islamic terrorism, starvation, and disease, but Democrats are fighting for men to pee in the ladies’ room. Insanity.”
Mr. Woods is correct. It is insane with the severity of issues at hand that the Federal government is not only filing a lawsuit against the State of North Carolina but also withholding Federal money in an effort to pressure NC into compliance.
All this because some sexual pervert in Charlotte managed to get a city ordinance passed to force businesses to allow men and women to use the bathroom of their choice. I can’t believe I just typed that.
For the record – transgenders are not normal and should not be treated as such. Period. Why should my rights be affected because a tiny minority of the population decides to play multiple-choice with their sexual organs and gender identity? What do you tell a little girl who goes into a Planet Fitness women’s locker room and sees “franks and beans”? Transgenders have been using the bathroom of their choice for years now with no issue. There was no need for a bathroom equality law to begin with and was put into place to justify the existence of certain politicians and special interest groups. The laws created the problem allowing sexual perverts to gain legal access to the bathroom of their choice.
Priorities. They are absent in government.
My brother recently mentioned he thinks the minimum wage should be raised. His reasoning is that today’s economy is not what it used to be. Good paying manufacturing jobs are a rarity and more and more people are in fact living – yes living – on minimum wage jobs or close. While I agree wages are stagnant and opportunities have slimmed the Federal government really should have no say so whatsoever on what wage people earn.
Consider the effect on businesses across the United States if suddenly everyone had to be paid $15/hr. First of all it would not only be those making $7.25/hr that would get a raise. What about those companies that start their manufacturing employees out at $14.33? Now in order to remain competitive and attract the nest workers they may need to start their new employees out at around $18.00 per hour. This will have a domino effect on costs of products which will be passed on to the consumer. Of course companies will search for every opportunity to keep costs down including getting rid of headcount. Thus – unemployment will increase.
The free market and the States themselves should decide on what wage someone should earn – not the Federal government.
Comes to America and holds the flag of the country they ran away from and demands that the new country they ran to turns into the country that they ran away from…..and nobody sees a problem here?
Ok – some of us see the problem.
This isn’t illegal immigration. It is an invasion.
Democrats versus Republicans. Black versus White. Conservatists versus Socialists. Republicans versus Republicans. Democrats versus Democrats. Illegal immigrants versus Constitutionalists. States versus Federal Government. Transgenders versus Men. Transgenders versus women. Homosexuals versus Christians. Atheists versus Christians. Government versus Christians. Muslims versus Christians. Muslims versus Atheists. Muslims versus Jews. Muslims versus…..well…..everybody.
Everyone has an opinion and feels the need to FORCE it down everyone else’s throat. Hey – I don’t mind a debate or hearing someone else’s thoughts on a subject but in today’s world people freak out when you don’t agree. I have been called every name in the book and heard all kinds of things mentioned about my……genitalia….just because I disagree with someone on a topic. My wife has been called names and and I have been told that I should put a bullet in my own head. There is a certain vile tone to people today that goes beyond disagreeing.
It is called hate.
Growing up I looked at America as a land of opportunity…..for those that went out and earned it. I looked at America as a land full of AMERICANS who were capable of extraordinary feats of courage and incredible ingenuity. America was a shining beacon of freedom to the world. Now? It is crumbling under the weight of entitlement.
There is a growing populace that believe that they are owed an existence which they have not earned. This growing mindset whereby people believe that just their sheer existence entitles them to money, food, medical care, shelter – and even cell phones.
The support Bernie Sanders is receiving is incredibly discouraging. Someone who represents quite the opposite of those principles which this country was founded is being supported by a huge portion of the population. I think back to the generations that fought against communism, socialism, and oppression and here we are with Bernie Sanders.
Just another piece of the puzzle to the crumbling of America.
The amount of corruption and anti-American activity that has been going on in government has been unreported and covered up by most of the mainstream networks. They fail to report information responsibly so that their viewers hear the truth. One example of this is when a politician stands up and says that they have cut the deficit by $200 billion dollars – but the reality is they simply reduced the amount they are going to increase the budget the next year by $200 billion. Most people listening think that they actually are spending less money.
The perspective of society as a whole is seriously misdirected. The Liberal left will protest against capital punishment but then support abortion. Liberals are Pro-Homosexual and Pro-Muslim at the same time. Yet Islam often has a death sentence for homosexual activity. Liberals will often go out of their way to support religion as long as it’s not Christianity. Liberals say they are Pro-Education yet they do not support school choice. Hmmmm……..
Liberals say they are for equality and against racism yet they continue to divide the population into segments. Race should be blind. Affirmative action is inherently racist. Continuing to point out and support programs for certain races does nothing but divide.
Do the research – America’s founding was deeply rooted in Christianity. Even many of the oldest colleges across the country have inscriptions carved into walls and buildings all over the campus about God. Decades of anti-religious indoctrination has his Christianity’s presence in the origin of this country.
Christianity has provided a moral foundation for millions for hundreds of years. Today? It still occurs but to a much lesser extent. The decaying morality of its population is being led by a decreasing relevance of God.
This is but a minor sample. Nearly $20 trillion in Federal debt. Millions on food stamps. A growing segment of the population who is anti-law enforcement and pro-thug. Flag burning is becoming more acceptable.
Gee……I don’t feel any better.
You?
JR
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Here are a few recommended preparedness supplies and items:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Check out the Emergency Essentials Monthly Sale!
Emergency Essentials has been a leader in the preparedness industry for well over 20 years. Monthly featured sales offer huge discounts on many preparedness products including freeze dried foods.
Emergency Essentials carries Mountain House as well as their own house-brand of freeze dried foods. Great prices and inexpensive shipping provides a great way to increase food stores and save money in the process.
Visit the Emergency Essentials website for more information.
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Want to help support what we do here at 1776PatriotUSA.com? Follow any link from this website to Amazon, make a purchase, and we receive a small commision at no additional cost to you. Zero. Nada.
Amazon carries a huge amount of preparedness supplies. I use Amazon all the time as they offer fantastic prices and free shipping on most orders over $35. Here are a few things you might be interested in…..
Thank you!!
Alright folks – a new regular feature will be “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, favorite Charlie’s Angel – whatever.
Go ahead – “make my day.”
JR
Panhandle Rancher sent in the following pictures of a Jeep trail near his home. He said he has that “serious look on my face during the water crossing as it was very rough with an occasional pot hole that would splash water everywhere – and the vehicle has manual steering requiring a tight grip on the wheel.”
Looks like fun! Thanks PR for sharing.
JR
Seems that AR prices continue to drop. Sub-$500 AR’s that actually work are becoming more and more common from different sources. The days of an AR being a dream purchase are pretty much over. Layaway, financing, and of course saving are options to purchase one of these budget-friendly beasts.
ClassicFirearms.com often have Bear Creek AR’s for under $500. I used to have one of Bear Creek’s uppers and it was great. A friend has two of these AR’s and he speaks highly of them.
Del-Ton makes the Del-Ton DT Sport Lite available for as low as $469.99. DPMS’s Sportical is available for around the same price. Anderson makes a very nice looking AR running $499.99.
Even these budget AR’s can be further customized to fit the owner as needed.
There are other great firearms out there and you should get what you can afford. More and more it is looking like that which can be afforded is an AR.
Oh – and with the coming election who knows what will happen to the availability to purchase AR’s in the future.
JR
Hope everyone is doing well.
This week has been extremely busy – kids, work, etc. I managed to get a few things worked on in the realm of preparedness.
“Ambitious college student, Daniel Walker, has his world turned upside down when he begins having prophetic dreams about the judgment coming upon America. Through one of his dreams, Daniel learns of an imminent threat of an EMP attack which will wipe out America’s electric grid and all computerized devices, sending the country into a technological dark age. Living in a nation where all life-sustaining systems of support are completely dependent on electricity and computers, the odds for survival are dismal. Municipal water services, retail food distribution, police, fire, EMS and all emergency services will come to a screeching halt. If he wants to live through the most catastrophic period in American history, Daniel will have to race against time to get prepared, before the lights go out. Buy your copy of Behold Darkness and Sorrow and jump into this post-apocalyptic, prepper-fiction thriller, today!”
So – what have you done this past week?
JR
A few people have inquired for updates on the podcast I co-host with Prepper Ralph. It has been slow going and a few technical difficulties have limited how much I wanted to promote it. For the most part issues have been fixed.
Visit ThePatriotPodcast.com to listen to episodes. We cover topics suggest as the state of the country – and the world, preparedness, and all stuff related to guns.
Visit our page on Facebook and Like and Share our post. Pretty good stuff!
If there are any specific things you would be interested in hearing about please leave a comment here or over at the site.
Episode 6 is my favorite s far. We talk a bit about our “weapons of choice” for the zombie apocalypse. We also cover a controversial video recently uploaded by SouthernPrepper1. While recording we received some surprising news and it created an interruption. Lastly – the bathroom policy at Target is brought up.
It would be very helpful if you feel so inclined to share the website, the episodes and the facebook page via email and/or social media.
Right now we are posting about once per week. No set day just depends on when we can get to it.
Take care all –
JR
Alright folks – a new regular feature will be “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, boxers or briefs – whatever.
Go ahead – “make my day.”
JR
Alright folks – a new regular feature will be “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, underwater basket weaving – whatever.
Go ahead – “make my day.”
JR
I am writing this sitting in a quaint coffee shop in the town which I live. The young and the old are flocking in…lining up to buy these tiny creations of cake, chocolate, fruit fillings and numerous things I cannot pronounce. The guy behind the counter is metro-sexual to the highest level and I would place him at the opposite end of the man spectrum compared to Si from Duck Dynasty.
Yeah….I’m being a bit judgmental as I sit with my Diet Coke and chocolate “torte” in front of me.
I can tell you I feel about as comfortable in this environment as a Trump supporter at a Hillary rally. My son is upstairs getting tutored for Algebra. Figured you were wondering why I was in here.
I’m watching these people. One right after the other. Manicures, pedicures, and perms(not that there’s anything wrong with that). They talk….well….gossip really about who did what to whom and how many times. Each seems to be making a fashion statement and consider the importance of the brand of their purse(both men and women) well over the government’s monetary policy or the number of vets that committed suicide today.
Out front sits a Prius. Is it there? Could it be? Yes! A “Bernie” sticker rides on the back of this car. Fitting.
A guy just walked in wearing skinny jeans and I am fairly certain black fingernail polish. Hmmmm…..
I need a beer.
Of course, they serve wine….no beer.
These people have no clue. Well, I’m generalizing of course but since I’m writing this I’m allowed. The Federal debt is approaching 20 trillion. They have no clue. Over 300,000 babies will be killed this year because it just isn’t convenient to take responsibility. They have no clue. There is a North Korean satellite flying overhead that MAY contain a nuclear weapon that could send us back to the stone age. They have no clue. I am sitting here armed…..yet somehow this evil gun doesn’t kill them. They have no clue.
What the hell is a torte anyways? Seems like a piece of cake to me.
Ignorance is bliss.
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A New Knife Recommendation – CURRENTLY TESTING
I received the HX Outdoors Survival Knife a couple weeks ago and in the midst of evaluating. I can tell you this is the sharpest knife I have ever had EXCEPT for a Cold Steel Recon Tanto I owned back in the late 80’s. This thing came SHARP.
Here are a few of the features:
D2 coated blade and Kydex sheath, more durable, wear-resistance
G10 material handle
Tail hammer will help you break the window or hammer
Two holes of the handle make it easy to make into the spear
Detachable magnesium rod for firestarting
Built in diamond sharpener on sheath
[slideshow_deploy id=’1416′]
With the popularity of the AR platform and the .223/5.56 round I thought it would be a good idea to review the trajectory of the round and common sighting ranges. Being a high velocity round the trajectory is relatively flat within a few hundred yards – past 400 the drop-off is significant.
There are several philosophies on sighting in the AR and what range in best. Here are a few examples:
50 Yard Zero – Sighting in the AR to be on the money at 50 yards is extremely popular and typically what I do. Why? Because at 100 yards I will be hitting about 1.5″ inches high and at 200-225 I will be back on the money. This provides excellent accuracy from 0 out to past 250 yards with little if any compensation especially if we are talking about shooting man sized targets.
This is by far the most popular method used for sighting in an AR.
100 Yard Zero – Not a bad option at all. With a zero of 100 yards the .223/5.56 round will impact approx 3/4″ low at 50 yards and around 2.25″ low at 200 yards.
25 Yard Zero – I don’t care at all for sighting in at 25 yards. When zeroed at 25 yards the round will also be zeroed at 300 yards. This strategy does not provide much of an advantage unless longer range shooting is planned. The problem is between 25 and 300 yards where either the rear sight has to be adjusted for elevation while shooting or english used.
All these numbers are relative and depend on specific barrel lengths, loads, and barrel rifling.
I recommend the 50 yard zero.
JR
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here are a few recommended preparedness supplies and items:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Check out the Emergency Essentials Monthly Sale!
Emergency Essentials has been a leader in the preparedness industry for well over 20 years. Monthly featured sales offer huge discounts on many preparedness products including freeze dried foods.
Emergency Essentials carries Mountain House as well as their own house-brand of freeze dried foods. Great prices and inexpensive shipping provides a great way to increase food stores and save money in the process.
Visit the Emergency Essentials website for more information.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Want to help support what we do here at 1776PatriotUSA.com? Follow any link from this website to Amazon, make a purchase, and we receive a small commision at no additional cost to you. Zero. Nada.
Amazon has a little known feature called “Best Selling” lists. Basically they rank the most popular products purchased within certain categories. Here are a few Best Selling lists you might be interested in…..
Best Selling Camping & Hiking Products
Best Selling Hunting & Fishing
Best Selling Flashlights & Lanterns
Best Selling Tactical & Personal Defense
Thank you!!
All last week I looked forward to camping on Friday – and attending a firearm class on Saturday. Friday night I set up my new Eno doublenest hammock for the first time using the Helios suspension system. The Enos is a great hammock but what really shined was the Helios. It makes the hammock setup and adjustment incredibly easy.
While setting up had a fellow group member go over a few things including finding fatwood, identifying some of those horrible 3 leaf plants such as poison ivy, and we found some edible local plants.
After the sleep system was put in place Prepper Ralph(partner over at The Patriot Podcast) and I did some night shooting using my M&P15-22 with attached light. It was a great experience. We did a lot of shooting with the M&P and I think Ralph was pretty impressed. It continues to impress me with its accuracy and reliability.
The temperature dropped overnight down to 43 degrees. The black bag from my MSS(Military Sleep System) kept me very comfortable.
Saturday morning I woke up just prior to 7:00 am and fired up my Coleman propane stove and cooked breakfast. I discovered Prepper Ralph doesn’t like bacon. I am now contemplating that he may be a communist. Who doesn’t like bacon? I mean…..it’s BACON!
Once the whole group arrived we began training. Of course safety was covered first and then we got down to business. It was a good refresher and a lot of fun. I felt good with my performance and also that of my guns. I used my AR pistol and my Canik TP9SA. I ran a Condor Plate Carrier.
It was a great time and look forward to doing it again soon.
So – what have you done this past week?
JR
It is often professed that a weapons stockpile should consist of firearms in common calibers for one very important reason: Resupply. Due to the sheer volume of rounds with calibers such as 9mm, 45ACP, .223, .308, and .22LR if things get bad these calibers will always be readily available.
Well, maybe not.
Remember the months and months that followed Sandy Hook? It was extremely difficult to find ANY common calibers unless one was willing to pay some extremely inflated prices. I would visit my local gun shop, Academy, Wal-Mart, and DICK’s and there was no 9mm, no .223/5.56, no .22LR. Those were the calibers at the time I was searching for. There was also no 45ACP, no .308, and no .380. I also could not find any .30 Carbine. I did see 10mm sitting on the shelves. There sitting lonely covered with dust were other calibers such as .270, .300 Winchester Magnum, and even .30-06 occasionally. Back then even the .22 Magnum was readily available for quite some time.
Over the last few months since the pandemic ramped up ammo firearm and ammo sales have gone through the roof. A very similar situation has occurred although ammunition is in better supply and prices are more favorable than after Sandy Hook.
I totally understand the theory that the chances of coming across common ammunition such as 9mm and .223 anywhere in the United States are much greater than finding .41 Magnum. Absolutely I agree. With that in mind there are some advantages to the less-popular calibers.
I remember after Sandy Hook two things:
Lessons learned. Next time – and there will be a next time – be stocked up on what you need BEFORE a shortage happens.
Take care all –
JR
Here is another installment of “From the Front Lines”. Basically a collection of random thoughts related to preparedness, current events, and whatever else that’s on my mind.
Take care all –
JR
JR: The following post can be seen HERE in its original format over at DoomandBloom.net.
What would you do if you were unarmed and at the scene of an ongoing active shooter/terrorist event? Joe Alton’s latest video examines your options in this situation and the strategies that give you the best chance of getting out of it in one piece. Companion video to a recent article…
To watch, click below:
Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,
Joe Alton, MD
Amy Alton, ARNP
Check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net .
Sometimes I sit down and think about something to write about and get so swept up every conceivable aspect of the post that takes me forever to just get to started. “Sigh……” Let’s get this started.
Canik TP9SA – This pistol continues to gain popularity for one very good reason: It is a very reliable, high performing semi-auto 9mm for about $200 less than most mainstream models. So far it has proven to be 100% and accurate.
Wilderness Survival – never had much interest but always willing to learn. I’ve had many tell me I’m not a “real survivalist” because I don’t know how to start a fire with sticks or tie certain knots. Whatever. I like technology and I like taking advantage of it – not relying on it. While I’m at it I’ve also been told that that I am no “survival expert”. Sure – I would agree with that. I’ve never professed to be one. I know a little about a lot and am very confident in my ability to figure things out even though I have never been shown.
Going Home – I have been reading the Going Home series by A. American. Excellent. I read Book One years ago when it first came out and am now on Book Two. I am actually listening to it via Audio Books. Fantastic and almost done with it. If you’ve not read the series go grab Going Home.
Guns….guns…..and more guns – I should be attending my first “Guns Anonymous” meeting soon to get over my being a Gun Nut.
Superman vs. Batman – Excellent movie. Plan to go see it again.
Kel-Tec PMR30 – Still loving it.
Episode 2 over at The Patriot Podcast is live. Turned out pretty good with better sound quality than Episode One. Remember folks – Prepper Ralph and I are not professional broadcasters. We are just a couple of guys talking about stuff that interests us.
Gotta go to bed.
Take care all –
JR
Tax season is well underway and as a result, many receive refunds of varying amounts and provide an opportunity to better positions on preps. In 2019 the average tax refund was well over $2500. If one is lucky enough to receive even half that amount and a decision is made to put it towards preps – what could the money be spent on?
Everyone’s list will be different due to numerous reasons such as geography, level of current preparations, and the targeted event preparing for. Taking advantage of these “extra” funds could mean adding to an area that is truly lacking such as pandemic supplies. Maybe there’s a backpack you’ve picked out for a GHB or you need to add a few magazines to the stash.
****Note: This post was revised in March of 2020. Many items have an elevated demand at this time so please double check pricing before ordering.
Here are a few suggested preparedness ideas:
Food Storage:
20 Lbs Rice – $10 at Walmart(grab 5)
Tools:
Helko Werk 4.5 Lb. Felling Axe – $169 Beautiful, gorgeous axe
Gerber Suspension Multi-Pliers – $26 Useful tool to keep in a get home bag or BOB
NyQuil Cold and Flu Medicine – $10 Highly recommended to help with the symptoms of flu
Renogy 100 watt Solar Panel Starter Kit – $195 Great kit to get started!!
Nikon BDC .223 3-9X40 AR Scope – $195 Calibrated for the .223/5.56. Nikon quality.
3V Paratus 3 Day Backpack – $75 Well made, respected, and budget-friendly
NiteCore Battery Charger – $20 Nitecore has excellent quality and does a fantastic job.
Natures Way Black Elderberry Gummies – $12 Supports immune system
So – what would you get?
JR
I am an admitted flashlight junkie. Ever since I was a kid I loved flashlights. Not sure what is was that created that fascination but it has stuck with me and I know I’m not alone. A couple of weeks ago Gearbest.com offered to send me a flashlight I was not familiar with – the MecArmy SGN3 G2 Keychain Light. Think I’m going to turn that offer down? Nope!
There are plenty of keychain lights out there and I have had several. Generally they throw out a low-level of illumination which is fine for seeing a key when opening a door. Battery life has been an issue in my experience as they have not last but a few months. This is where the MecArmy separates itself from the pack and makes this review so easy – 160 lumens. That’s right – the MecArmy throws out 160 lumens. This is unheard of in such a small light especially one that easily fits on my keychain.
The light pattern is flood covering a very large area. Pictures will follow that show how this tiny keychain light will light up a huge area in front of my house. Pictures really just don’t do it just. I would love to see this thing with a weapons mount to make a very small but bright light on one of my AR’s.
The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is rechargeable. No more throwing it away when the battery dies and having to buy another light. Simply plug it in every week or so and it will be there when needed.
There are several light modes which I suppose can be useful. I am one that likes a flashlight to turn ON – and OFF. That’s it. No multiple levels of brightness and strobe options. I want OFF and BURN THE HOUSE DOWN. Maybe I’m exaggerating a I think you get what I mean. Well – the MecArmy has numerous levels of brightness as well as different colors and even a red flashing mode that someone might like. It is pretty cool and I suppose the red light would be good for reading at night.
Here are a few specifications:
Below are several pictures I took with accompanying descriptions. This is not a long-winded review. This thing is solid and works.
Brief summary follows the pictures:
Above: The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is about the size of a standard USB thumb drive.
Below: Simple push button operation turns on the main LED and offers two levels of brightness with multiple presses.
Above: The mini-USB charging port is protected from dust and grime with a tight-fitting rubber cover that inserts into the cavity. It is permanently attached to the light so it does not get lost.
Below: With the rubber cover removed the port can be accessed using any common mini-USB charging cable. Super easy to charge while driving or sitting on a counter.
Above: The MecArmy is extremely bright with the main LED turned on.
Below: The low power bluish light offers what a typical keychain light does – enough light to find a key and open a door.
Above: The red light works well for map reading and reducing the loss of night vision when navigating at night and not wanting to use the main LED.
Above: Outside my house at night. Only illumination is from a street light quite a ways away. To the human eye area is too dark to walk.
Below: The MecArmy flooding the area with 160 lumens of light. Impressive.
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Summary:
It should be obvious I like the flashlight. At around $45.00 with Free Shipping it is certainly more expensive than your typical keychain light. Here is the difference: With the MecArmy if your normal flashlight is not available you have a very suitable flashlight with you as long as you have your keys. In fact – the MecArmy may be brighter than many of the flashlights people out there have in their get home bags and survival kits.
I have given a lot of Pro’s – are there any Con’s? Other than wishing it just had OFF and ON function for the main LED I haven’t found any yet.
Current price is $42.90(on sale) and price may go up at any time. There is also a coupon code for 8% off – GBLED2016. I am not sure how long the coupon code will be good for and it will work on other MecArmy flashlights as well.
If interested in the MecArmy SGN3 G2 LED Keychain Flashlight just follow this link.
JR
What follows is a video series from SouthernPrepper1. SP1 has a great Youtube channel offering up tons of valuable information. He is ex-military and shares a lot of information to help those of us who never served. I took particular interest in his Minuteman series as I believe this country needs as many Minutemen as possible.
It is unfortunate that I foresee the need for Minutemen in the future – possibly a repeat of their role back in the late 1700’s.
SouthernPrepper1 also co-wrote a book with author Mark Goodwin – Retreat Security and Small Unit Tactics.
Most people know who Bear Grylls is. He is one of those survivalists guys on TV. What many do not know is he spent several years in the British SAS and eventually broke his back in three places in a free-fall parachuting accident. He spent months in military rehabilitation and celebrated his recovery by climbing Mount Everest. He has raised millions of dollars for charity and appears in numerous television shows. He has written numerous books and has led record-breaking expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.
He also got busted staying in a hotel while filming one of his survival shows.
Hey – nobody’s perfect.
Bear has worked with Gerber in development of numerous survival tools and knives. Particularly popular is the Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife.
General Information
The Ultimate Survival is a fixed blade knife with a 4.75″ blade partially serrated. The tang is 3/16″ thick. Research on the steel used varies from a type of 440A stainless to a “special Gerber formula”. Regardless – it is Chinese stainless steel. Many consider the tang to be full although it does not come completely to the end if the handle. – but extremely close. The knife has a soft comfortable handle with a flat pommel end for striking and hammering.
The knife comes with a multi-functional sheath containing a fire starter, diamond sharpening stone, emergency whistle, and a small sheet of survival instructions/tips.
Build looks good with smooth lines and finishes. Note: All the pictures below were prior to testing.
Above: Blade came very sharp with fairly aggressive serrations. Holes on either side of the handle contain lashing holes for securing to a pole or stick.
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Below: Coloration is the typical dark grey and orange which represents the Bear Grylls line. I like it. The handle itself feel extremely comfortable and almost supple in the hand.
Above: Early models reportedly had problems with the pommels falling off during batoning and hammering. Gerber made a change in their manufacturing process and fixed the problem.
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Below: The included whistle is small in size and came attached to the knife handle itself.
Above: The sheath contains a ferrocerium fire starter. It is carried in the lower portion of the sheath and rides very securely.
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Below: On the back of the sheath sits a diamond sharpening stone which is well positioned.
Below: The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife complete with its sheath.
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TESTING & EVALUATION
I have spent the last few weeks testing the knife in a variety of ways. Certainly more time and use will lead to more thorough testing.
Below are a few pictures I took during this time period along with some commentary. A final summary follows.
Above: After a good amount of use the blade definitely needed sharpening. Based on my experience the Chinese stainless is not the best for edge retainment. The diamond sharpener worked well for bringing the edge back to more than usable.
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Below: One shining star of the Ultimate Survival Knife is the fire starter. It works great sending a showering spray of hot sparks with each strike from the blade. There is a small section along the spine of the blade which is used to strike the ferrocerium rod.
Above: I was surprised to find I had great success throwing the knife. Time and time again I had consistant turns and sticks. This is not the knife’s fortey but just a bonus.
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Below: Beyond smashing the knife into trees when I missed my throws I tested the pommel by hitting the flat section on a large rock exactly 50 times. Nothing loosened up or fell apart. I have never understood the need to use a knife as a hammer as I would much rather grab a large rock. For testing purposes I felt the need to go ahead and pound the crap out of it. Seems Gerber did in fact fix their previous issues.
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SUMMARY
Many who dislike Bear Grylls or the commercialized coloring of the Ultimate Survival Knife will never give it a chance. Its origin of manufacture and suspect steel quality will also omit it from numerous survival kits and get home bags. There are many knives out there that are a better choice especially at higher pirces. At the price point of $32.00 it is an excellent deal.
The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife is one of my favorites. The testing was uneventful – as it should be. Hammering on the back if the spine to split firewood was easy and no damage to the knife occurred. The whistle works – not the best – but works well. The included knife sharpener was easy to use and within a minute or two brought the edge back. The fire starter was great. The sheath itself is well designed and holds the knife securely.
$32.00. Not bad at all. I think I will get another.
One is none and two is one….right?
JR
January 13th, 1982: Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River. Only six of the 74 passengers survived the crash and ended up in the icy water. While a helicopter was able to come in and snatch four of the 6 passengers one disappeared under the water while another – Priscilla Tirado – helplessly struggled in the 33 degree water. Unable to hold on to the rope lowered by the helicopter she began to drown. A bystander who witnessed the crash while he was walking home could not take it any longer. He could not stand there and watch this woman drown. He removed his coat and jumped in the water. He swam over to her as she laid just under the water, grabbed her – and pulled her to the bank.
He saved her life.
This is the epitome of the Sheepdog.
Not everyone can jump into action and put themselves into harm’s way. Not everyone can be a Sheepdog. Can it be learned or developed? Probably. People are just wired in different ways.
I have had several situations where things were happening nearby and I could not just sit back and not get involved. Sometimes it was preventing someone from getting hurt. Sometimes it was standing up for someone. Sometimes it was helping someone who was already hurt. Risk evaluation has to be done but sometimes there just isn’t any time.
Saturday evening I was walking through Uptown Charlotte, NC with a friend. Walking down the sidewalk along the busy street I came towards a metal bench. I wasn’t looking at it rather just walking with my friend talking. In an instant, I saw a child run around from the front of the bench to the back of it and then straight towards the car filled street. I didn’t think about it I just moved. I ran and grabbed the kid – about 2 years old – just inches from the street. Did I save the kids life? I don’t know. The father noticed the kid as well and put his hand out in front of the child right at the same time I got to him.
My heart was pounding in my chest. My buddy said he didn’t see anything and just saw me take off. Some big, muscular guy said his heart was racing because he thought the kid was going to get hit. I almost said it but didn’t – “Why did you just stand there?”
The answer to that question is not everyone reacts the same nor has the capability to react the same.
As for me – I will continue to mind my own business until it’s time NOT to mind my own business.
JR.
By Chris Taylor, SafeGuardArmor.com
The importance of security and self-defence is one of the main driving forces behind preparation. By preparing for difficult and unforeseen situations, an individual can stay safe and maintain her or his liberty and security. Building food stores, keeping well-stocked caches and maintaining one’s own skill set and knowledge all goes towards one’s security and self-defence. However, all too many see these factors- self-defence in particular- as a matter solved by guns. Stocking up on weapons appears to be the be-all and end-all of security and self-defence for many, and even the most knowledgeable prepper may forgo any other measures in favour of several assault rifles.
However, as any reasonable person will tell you, it is very easy to be injured or even killed by a firearm. Moreover, even without considering the danger of facing someone else with a firearm, accidents will always happen no matter how careful one is. Therefore, you cannot simply fight fire with fire, and self-defence has to involve more than weapons. You need to ensure you are protected, particularly against firearms. You need a bullet proof vest.
There is really no reason not to consider body armor, and anyone even remotely interested in their own safety should be open to all options. AS noted above, however, far too few are. If for no other reason therefore, wearing a bullet proof vest can give you the upper hand over other heavily armed individuals, and can mean the difference between life and death.
The first thing to know about bullet proof vests is that they are available in a variety of styles, models, and fits, not to mention different levels of protection. This variety means that it can be difficult to know which bullet proof vest is most appropriate for your situation. However, ensuring you have the right fit is a good start. This has been of particular interest to women, who have for too long not had sizes available for them. It is important that body armor fits your body properly, as an ill-fitting vest may have gaps in protection. Women have traditionally had to make do with vests designed for male figures, meaning their protection cannot be guaranteed. Thankfully, manufacturers are increasingly offering vests designed for women, as part of an effort to provide a better range of sizes for everyone.
The most important aspect of body armor to be aware of however is the protection it can offer. As already mentioned, there are a variety of protection levels available according to the ammunition it can protect against. Ballistic protection is regulated by the US National Institute of Justice (NIJ), which is widely recognized as the world leader in ballistics testing. This testing is then applied to levels, which it ascribes to body armor. This allows anyone to know what their armor can protect against at a glance.
While all bullet proof vests will most likely use soft fabrics like Kevlar, higher levels of protection require hard materials. Armor that only uses fabric is known as ‘Soft Armor’, and is available up to and including NIJ Level IIIa, providing protection against high velocity 9mm full metal jacketed round nose bullets, as well as .44 Magnum jacketed hollow points, in addition to all the ammunition provided by lower levels.
Each level of protection can stop the ammunition listed at lower levels. Level IIa armor is considered the minimum recommend protection for all armor, and is capable of protecting against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose and .40 S&W full metal jacketed ammunition, which are commonly found in most handguns. Even this ‘basic level’ is capable of protecting against a wide variety of rounds, with 10mm Auto, .357 SIG, and even .45 ACP rounds all covered by this level of protection. The Level II armor, conversely, can protect against all this as .357 Magnum jacketed soft points and the 9mm Parabellum fired at higher speeds. As mentioned above, however, the 9mm fired from a semi-automatic will require Level IIIa armor.
Higher levels of vests will require additional materials, as mentioned above. These vests are therefore known as ‘Hard Armors’, as they will usually use rigid plates of ceramics and/or polyethylene over the top of fabric like Kevlar. This naturally increases the weight and bulk of a vest, but provides much stronger protection and can even protect you against explosives and fragmentation. It may be tempting therefore to simply opt for the highest level of protection available, especially as even hard armor can be worn in a discreet covert vest. However, the extra weight and bulk can do more harm than good, and may fatigue you. Therefore, unless you expect to be facing these types of threats, it is better to opt for a lower level.
Hard Armor is available at NIJ Level III and IV, which is the highest available level of ballistic protection. Level III hard armor protects against 7.62mmx51mm NATO full metal jacketed rifle rounds, as well as the 5.56x45mm NATO round. Most rifle and automatic rounds are covered by the Level III, including such staples as the .30-06 and the .308 Winchester. However, the highest level of protection, the Level IV, offers protection against all these bullets, as well as armor-piercing variants.
As briefly mentioned above, even higher levels of protection are available in discreet vests. Body armor can be split roughly into two categories; covert and overt. This determines whether a vest is worn underneath or over clothing respectively, and each style has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, covert vests offer you discreet protection, meaning you can wear a vest in almost any environment without displaying your protection. However, there are times when you will want to display your protection and therefore your preparedness. An overt vest is worn over clothing and can be augmented with pouches and pockets, making it a useful addition to a uniform for example. Of course, there is no way to hide this.
There are many different options available in body armor, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The decision as to which is most appropriate has to reflect your own preparation and awareness, and most be relevant to the situation you will find yourself in. There are additional options available, such as Tactical Armor and Ballistic Helmets. Whatever you decide on, it has to reflect your own preparation. Whatever the choice, it can spell the difference between life and death.
Every time I turn around I see the word “tactical”.
Tactical pens. Tactical pants. Tactical socks. Tactical shoes. Tactical belts. Tactical knives. Tactical flashlights. Tactical backpacks. Tactical gloves. Tactical watches. Tactical scissors. Tactical hats. Tactical patches. Tactical handcuffs. Tactical wallets. Tactical lunch boxes. Tactical money clips. Tactical ear plugs.
……and yes….even Tactical Bacon.
Since Obummer got into office everything related to firearms has become popular. Although he wishes he could disarm every American the reality is he has been the biggest salesman of firearms in history. Along with this “tactical” has become a marketing term stuck in front of almost everything that is even remotely related to guns – or not.
I present to you…..the tactical bottle opener.
My biggest issue with the overuse of “tactical” is far too many people buying products that have tactical in the name and thinking that somehow it is endorsed or related to law enforcement and military. A lot of folks out there are getting ripped off.
Well – I need to go. Have to go try out some tactical toilet paper I just got in.
JR
