what did you do this week to prepare

[TomChemEngineer]

More reading. Finished "Patriots", looked to find "One Second After" (no luck in the bookstores, so I might just order one from Amazon), got on a site with Military Manuals- First Aid, Ranger, .45 Maintenance, .30 Carbine Maintenance, Map Reading. Read up on "What to Do if a Nuclear Disaster is Imminent", and "the Good News About Nuclear Destruction". I'm feeling much better now, thank you.
Got some Food Storage Recipes from the LDS site (how do you use 600 pounds of wheat that they recommend for a family of 4). Collecting and using recipes for the Food in storage. Eat what you Store and Store what you Eat.
Got a template for a good Family Disaster Plan... not filled out yet. Intend to go over with the family when I get home. Plan the Work and Work the Plan.
Got more familiar with contents of hiking butt pack and contents of the first aid kit on the hiking web gear. Use what you Pack and Pack what you Use.
Getting Camping Pack rearranged. Looking for some straps for and Alice clips for lashing stuff (tent, pad, and sleeping bag) to outside of Alicepack... NOT bungees. Keep it secure, not flopping around making noise when I walk.

[Rick]

Rebuilt a Coleman lantern.

[Sourdough]

Bought a First Aid Kit yesterday........got by for 63 years without one, now that I have one I'll have the misfortune to need it everyday. O'Well

[Ken]

It was a stifling hot day and a man fainted in the middle of a busy intersection. Traffic quickly piled up in all directions, and a woman rushed to help him. When she knelt down to loosen his collar, a man emerged from the crowd, pushed her aside, and said, "It's all right honey, I've had a course in first aid."

The woman stood up and watched as he took the ill man's pulse and prepared to administer artificial respiration. At this point she tapped him on the shoulder and said, "When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I'm already here."

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Well this is my first post to this thread, but I never felt like I had anything to contribute to it...'til now. Most of my Preps involved buying things - The books I mentioned in the book thread but the other stuff.. well that's something else. I bought a larger pack and gave dottie my old one so we have BOB's now. We have started by filling them with the stuff we got at the Jamboree and have added water bladders to both. Both boys also have their own packs (smaller of course) they are mainly "book bags" , but big enough for a 2 & 4 year old, if they have to carry them. I ordered some stuff which I can't really say just yet as it is going to be a surprise for Dottie(just in case she looks at this thread) I ordered an Ontario 12" machete after reading the thread Tomahawk or Machete. Pict really convinced me.(I'm gonna cover my bases and carry both) So now for wood cutting tools all I need is a good saw(I'm looking), After reading another thread I bought some sealable containers for Beans and another for Rice. I bought some 100% cotton T shirts so when they wear out I will have the makings for char cloth for fire making. If Dottie don't spend too much at the Horse show this weekend (she's gonna' compete for the first time) I have some other stuff in mind. But it's a start. Thanks to everyone for helping her realize just how important this can be,or I would've caught MAJOR grief just over the books forget the rest of the stuff, She's just letting me go, since I know more about what might be needed (and why) than her.

[nell67]

Canned some sour kraut and corn today,and raided my pantry for another family whose father is ill and can no longer work,and they seem to keep getting dropped through the cracks when it comes to getting assistance.

[Oasis de Tucanes]

Basically. This week I did nothing . Last week I put 24 eggs in the incubator for meat chickens and picked up a used diesel and tranny/transfer case for my old Land Cruisers.
I plan on rebuilding and "shelving" them in case the time comes where there is no availability due to chaos.

[Longranger]

Wife put up 56 quarts bags of corn, and froze another 90 quart bags. can'd 80quarts mixed pickles and 70 cans tomatoes. I took care of 5 Roosters and bought 1k of .556ammo and 500rounds .308cal. We are looking to upgrade our camping/survival gear, ie; tent, packs, sleeping bags. We live in the mountains of SW Virginia with ample places to set up wilderness camp. Our current camping equipment is rather worn.

[Oscar]

I bought a new six man tent. Four season. Kinda heavy but in a bad spot could help us survive in really cold weather. it's a dome. I wish it had provisiond for a stack to go though it. We could employ a small stove to gain warmth and cook small items in relative comfort if all hell breaks loose and weather is upon us.

[Deep South]

What did I do to prepare today ? Joined this forum !!!!!!!!!!!

[TomChemEngineer]

Finished "One Second After", got freaked out about EMP Attacks so did some fact checking and confirmed my increasing paranoia, started eating better, cut back on drinking beer (as much), sorted through the backpack and relearned how to use my stove and the little cookpots, got a bunch of charcoal briquets for storage and rotating through, practiced making a little hobo stove out of and empty steel can that can use any kind of little kindling for fuel...pretty cool, looked at wood-burning add-on furnaces for the house, continued detailed meal planning for the Food Storage (store what you eat and eat what you store), researched some wheat grinders...the good ones aren't inexpensive... I think I'll substitite pasta and beans/ rice for a lot of the wheat but still get a good whole wheat bread recipe and figure out how many loaves need to be made per week for a number of people. Put some more gasoline in Sta-Bil storage. Also, I continue to make myself invaluable to my employer (ha) since I would like to continue to get a paycheck for as long as I can! Looked at Pressure Canners. Practiced with the .45 and found a bookstore that carries Backwoods Home and Mother Earth News.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

It's too much to write here just go to these threads to see!!
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8424

I think you'll see what I mean.
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?p=149990#post149990

[Rick]

Talked with my Doc today about necessary meds. He prescribed Cipro 500 Mg as a broad spectrum antibiotic and it's good for water born disease as well. He also prescribed Vicodin 5-500 tables for pain should we break a leg or similar. He also prescribed Amoxicillin 500 Mg for my grandkids should they be alone and something happen like Giardia. They can't take the Cipro because of their age. He said the Cipro and Vicodin were all anyone needed to cover them until they we able to reach medical help. He's a hiker and backpacker so he understood where I was coming from.

I also picked up a Galaxy DX 949 CB/SSB to build on my communications plan.

[oldsoldier]

I also picked up a Galaxy DX 949 CB/SSB to build on my communications plan.[/QUOTE]

Great choice of a cb radio pair that up with a wilson 5000 antenna and you'll have an unbeatable combination.

[Rick]

I'm using a Wilson K30. I have the worst engine noise. I ran hot straight from the battery (fused of course) into the radio and grounded to body at the radio. The noise seems to be coming from the antenna. It was on the roof of the cab. I installed a metal plate on the top of the fiberglass capper and ran a ground down to the frame. Noise is still there. I've change the connector at the back of the radio. Still noisy. I have a noise filter ordered and I'm going to ground the exhaust system tomorrow.

[Ken]

I'm using a Wilson K30. I have the worst engine noise. I ran hot straight from the battery (fused of course) into the radio and grounded to body at the radio. The noise seems to be coming from the antenna. It was on the roof of the cab. I installed a metal plate on the top of the fiberglass capper and ran a ground down to the frame. Noise is still there. I've change the connector at the back of the radio. Still noisy. I have a noise filter ordered and I'm going to ground the exhaust system tomorrow.

Try pulling it off of your AM/FM power lead. :)

[Rick]

I don't think it will matter. It's a truck and I don't think there is any "clean" power on it. That's why I ran straight from the battery. It's not the fuel pump because I don't hear it with the key on but not running. It's either the alternator or plug wires or both. Hopefully, adding the filter and grounding the exhaust will stop the noise.

[oldsoldier]

I'm using a Wilson K30. I have the worst engine noise. I ran hot straight from the battery (fused of course) into the radio and grounded to body at the radio. The noise seems to be coming from the antenna. It was on the roof of the cab. I installed a metal plate on the top of the fiberglass capper and ran a ground down to the frame. Noise is still there. I've change the connector at the back of the radio. Still noisy. I have a noise filter ordered and I'm going to ground the exhaust system tomorrow.

I think once you've installed the inline noise filter your engine noise will drop dramatically. As for antenna noise. If you have the noise with the engine idling try reaching up and grabing the metal part of your antenna. If the noise stops or is greatly reduced then you aren't getting a good ground. BUT if there is no reduction in the noise then it's not a grounding issue, I also recommend once you finish your install that you go to a good radio shop and get your SWR ( standing wave resistance) checked and set it should be under 3 preferably as close to 0-1 as possible. High SWR= lower radio preformance and possible radio damage.

[Rick]

The DX 949 has a built in SWR meter. I'm below 2 on Channels 1, 20 and 40 with 40 being a bit higher. I think Channel 1 was something like 1.5 and 40 was 1.9. I can probably trim the antenna and fix that but I spent most of the day working on noise. Of course Dodge doesn't engineer for a radio so you have install them in weird places. That was fun, too.

Good call on touching the antenna. I'll try that first thing. I may have to solder the connectors and wire brush the frame where I connected.

[oly]

cut back on drinking beer (as much), .

Send it to me to guard it. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get beer here? OK I was just joking.

This is the way I look at life. If I live through a natural or man made turbulence, I can survive, If not? then Its a good day to die...

[oldsoldier]

Rick yes the cleaner the connection the better the ground. Trimming the antenna is a good idea when you can with the swr readings you have its not an emergency. However if you know someone who does radio work I'd still have the SWR checked with a better meter as built in meters tend to be inacurate.

[Ponce]

My new engine lathe came in and that should put some food on my table if needed.

Twenty five years ago I was a machinist but never been a farmer so that I getting ready with what I know best.......

[TomChemEngineer]

Dug the backup generator out of the basement and got it running (after cleaning out the carb, taking the fuel line off, cleaning out the gunk, dumping the fuel tank and putting it back on with new StaBilized fuel, etc etc) and am committed to keeping it in the garage, starting it every week and letting it run for a little while to cycle the fuel through it and keep it limber. I still have not bought the transfer switch from Lowes ($270), but I am carefully considering other expedient options for connecting it to the house in case of power-down... very carefully. My son suggested that we build a little secure, metal generator building for it out behind the house so I don't have to roll it out every week...that's my boy! I'd like to have a propane genny, but this one was given to me by my sister, so free gennys beat out all other types... like free beer beats all other labels.
I found a kindred spirit in two folks that I work with, so if President Obama doesn't do anything to eliminate more jobs, that will come in handy. Oops, my political undergarments are showing.
Cycled the M-1 Carbine and reconnected with the nice, short little rifle. I still like it after all these years. Referenced some Military tactical manuals, and I am still amazed how much knowledge my tax dollars have developed.
Committed myself to reducing debt, now to convince my wife. Learned more about hobo stoves made from tin cans (is this subliminally related to reducing debt?). A couple more bags of charcoal went into the garage.
Incrementally increased people-food and pet food for the pantry. Learned about plastic buckets/ sealing mylar bags/ and oxygen absorbers for grain storage and checked out local feed store for bulk wheat and corn. Decided that the grain mill that I want is WAY too expensive for my prepper pocketbook, so am looking for cheaper alternatives.

And right now, I am watching the 1953 version of The War of the Worlds where the populace is becoming a mob, the salesman is pushed off the truck after offering 500 / 1000 dollars for a ride, and "money is no good anymore". Hmmmm. I guess Martian Attack is a good reason to bug out, but man I really like those floating Martian War Machines... but I digress.

[Jayden Tor]

Found a canned food sale and bought double what I'd normally purchase. Started more intensive training with the mutt for hand signals and low whistles.
Reacquainted myself with some of my favorite bulk buying sites.

[hunter63]

Made water filters -per WSF

Made alchy stove- per WSF

Almost burned down shop with same alchy stove, twice, Wait a min these are supposed to be positive steps right?

Found wheat berries at local store, need to fire up new grain mill.

Found source for wheel weights, processed about 40 lbs today, into 2-1/2 lb ingots for bullet casting. Yes, another watch what your doing or you will be sorry thing...

Worked in garden,
Worked with lab pup, hunting season about a month away.
Picked up pound of Pyrodex and couple of boxes of #11 caps for muzzle-loader
and oh yeah had a brewsky or 2

[oldsoldier]

Went to the giant flea market here ( a couple hundred dealers) bought some mil. surplus extreme cold weather gear, found a herbologist that makes and sell stuff like jewelweed cream for poison ivy,bugbites,etc. bought a couple of tins and talked herbal meds and foods for about an hour,left with the recipe to make my own:innocent:

[Winnie]

Honed my fishing skills:D I've also been out with a copy of Food for free by Richard Mabey.
Salted down 3lbs beans.

[Mountain Man]

Started getting supplies for winter.

Got some new oil for my generators, got some antifreeze for the radiators in case they need topping off. Lowes is having a sale on some metal sheds $99 normally $275 so I got 2 of those on order, now I can store my gas cans in one, and my engine oil in another. I am debating on a 3rd for my propane tanks (BBQ, and camping size.)

Got ~100' of 3/4" PVC with tons of misc fittings to setup watering system for the garden beds. Got roll-out asphalt roofing for the wood shed as well as paper, need to get nails still and the wood to finish the roof structure.

Got some food too!
Added 30 cans of tuna since I`m eating it almost daily for lunch, and stocked away 6 cans of spam while they were 25 cents off.
Refilled the cansolidator with other misc canned goods.
Add 4 gallons of white vinegar to storage too.

[crashdive123]

Had our final drill today. Mrs. Crash and I completed CERT training.

[Rick]

Well congratulations to you both! Job well done!!!!

[Ken]

Congrats Crash & Mrs. Crash! :clap:

[2dumb2kwit]

Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Crash!:clap:

[Ken]

Congrats Crash & Mrs. Crash! :clap:


Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Crash!:clap:

:sneaky2: Copycat. That 2dumb is just incapable of an original thought. :innocent:

[crashdive123]

None-the-less ---- it was a nice thought. Thanks guys.

[2dumb2kwit]

:sneaky2: Copycat. That 2dumb is just incapable of an original thought. :innocent:

Dang....I am dumb! If I had noticed that it was that close to what you said, I could have just copied your post, and saved all that typing.:blushing:

[TomChemEngineer]

1. Got a chance to practice some first aid skills on a young volunteer that ran into some trouble while doing some volunteer community services at a nearby lake. A good example of being prepared is carrying first aid kit and the normal web kit when you do things with volunteer groups. They looked at me funny when I strapped the web kit on, with the KaBar and buttpack and canteen and additioonal first aid kit, but I used them all. The other volunteers did not take my advice about bringing your own persoanl first aid kit. Some of them now understand why. Cutting gauze and elastic bandages with Kabar got their attention..haha.
2. Distributed the link to the Red Cross youtube Preparedness video (the vanilla kind of prepping) to several neighbors to get them thinking about getting prepped for things like natural disasters or services interruptions. One step at a time. If they get prepared, they won't need to come knocking on my door when weirdness arrives.
3. I am executing my plan to exercise the gasoline electrical generator every Saturday by using it for some of the regular exterior house maintenance activities like hedge trimming and blowing, etc to not look so out-of-place to the neighbors. Still need to make the suicide cord from the genny to the dryer outlet to allow backfeeding into the house until I get my transfer switch. This may sound dangerous, but it is OK when you remember to throw the main breaker to be sure no line current gets into the house while this is hooked up.
4. Collected all the Survival, camping, hunting, gardening, firearms maintenance/ reloading, first aid/ medical, and Basics books in one shelf in the home library.
5. I did some research and I'm going to be getting some plastic tubs and salt/ alum to do some hide tanning this fall, along with making a fleshing board. Will investigate alternative tanning chemicals after I try the basic Salt/ alum method. Wife thinks I'm going over the edge.
6. Making fun of Bear Grylls right now while he fords rivers in both the Arctic and Alabama buck nekkid. Some guys will do anything for ratings. But, he caught a wild pig in a snare in Alabama and dispatched it with his expensive knife... assuming that was not staged and planted. He's also talking now about eating deer and rabbit poop..and he just did it. Time to turn him off.
7. Wife and I are learning to make normal meals with the food storage. One step at a time toward eating what you store and storing what you eat and rotating it at the same time. She made a great hearty soup from canned chicken, noodles, rice and canned vegetables. Still looking for a good and simple whole wheat bread recipe.
8. Making a better wood storage rack out of second-use pressure treated 2x4's for drying and storing split logs for fall and winter, and for use in the outside fire ring. Still need to get a dutch oven to use in my fire ring. I'm making a habit out of not throwing things away and coming up with alternate uses for all that I can.
And the time ticks on.

[crashdive123]

Tom - here's a whole wheat bread recipe that I like. It's from a hand written and hand illustrated cook book titled Dutch Oven A Cook Book of Coveted Traditional Recipes From the Kitchens of Lunenburg.

1-1/2 cups white flour (sifted)
2 cus whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
1/8 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 tbsp. shortening
1 cup hot water
1/4 cup warm water
yeast cake

Soften yeast in warm water. Put sugar, shortening and salt in bowl, and pour hot water over all. Cool. Add yeast and flours. Kneed dough for 10 minutes. Put in greased bowl, and let rise till double in bulk. Punch down and kneed well. Form in loaves, and place in greased pans. Let rise, and bake in moderate oven for 1 hour.

As you can tell, things were done a bit different back then - but it sure does taste good.

[TomChemEngineer]

Thanks...I'll try it today!

[Gut shot]

melted lead down into ingots for future use

[NightShade]

Split wood... Split wood...Split wood
lined up a side job to put a lil' xtra cash in my pocket that will go towards a generator that I desperatly need.....
cut down a few overhanging dead trees that really needed to be cut before winter... and Split more wood... then lined up a tree guy to come over and cut the one that is just to dangerous for me to attempt myself!!!

Got out scouting for the upcoming deer season (Heck that's just my excuse to the wife for gettin out and wandering in the woods for half a day) a couple times....

went out and ID'ed a wild edible growing along my dog walk route ... knew I recognized it, just couldn't remember if it was from a poisonus plant book or an edible plant book...

had a cold night... lit a fire in the stove... using the fire bow method of course!!!.. always pays to practice!! don't wanna hafta perfect it when I need it most!!!

[oldsoldier]

Ordered a solar battery charger and A, AA, C, D, 9vrechargeable batteries. researching water filters.

[wildWoman]

Got the instructions on how to re-point our satellite internet antenna so we can hopefully do it ourselves without having to get an installer in.

[Winnie]

Filling the pantry nicely with more preserves. Looking into solar chargers for some items. Also looking around for a .22 air rifle and a decent recurve bow.

Oh and congrats Mr and Mrs Crash! You're now certified:blushing:

[crashdive123]

....or certifiable.

[catfish10101]

Charter fishing, or Marina.

[trax]

:sneaky2: Copycat. That 2dumb is just incapable of an original thought. :innocent:

*ahem* there lawyer boy, 2dumb used the comma in the right place which is noticeably lacking in your post. Punctuation is important.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

*ahem* there lawyer boy, 2dumb used the comma in the right place which is noticeably lacking in your post. Punctuation is important.

Like the time a lawyer told me "The fence only encroaches the property 11" and I replied don't you mean 11'." Details, Details......

[oldsoldier]

Bought a "duffel" bag triox. stove and fuel tabs, canteen and cup today as a start to replace the BOB that got stolen from my wife's jeep the other day. Next step is wally world for dehyd's and such for it.

[VanKiller]

I keep updating and cutting down on weight of BOB's. Stocked another tote of non-perishables, talked to friends and family about "prepping,"
Going camping this weekend with friends. I'm going to set up camp early in the day, then go home and hump back with BOB.

[crashdive123]

VanKiller - how about bugging out to the Introduction section and telling us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[hunter63]

Hunter63 in the shop, learning, melting, casting, lubing, sizing, reloading with new bullets, ordering parts and more different cal molds. Man, can this be addicting........

Harvesting leaves (mowing them up) for the compost heap.
Harvesting tomato's, cooking up, freezing, picking beans, peppers, last of the sweet corn.

[BStreet18]

Bought a spare 20 lb LP tank, more canned goods, filled gasoline cans and added sta-bil

[oldsoldier]

Went to Lowe's for some plumbing supplies, and bought a Smith's knife sharpening kit. It is kinda like the one that Hoosierarcher had at jamboree. Now I've gotta figure out how to use it. I also bought/ordered one of the "survival" buckets from costco.

[Tootsiepop254]

I joined this site! :tongue_smilie: I began to compile a cache of 'goodies' from the wonderful suggestions here, and am in the process of teaching myself survival basics - very much newbie stuff, but then... I'm a newbie.
~T

[hunter63]

More yard work, pulled tomatoes, all appear to have the blight.
Pulled up and am discarding in trash, as I don't want to have the plants in the compost.
Anyone else have this problem?

Used to burn off the leaves every other year, and till in leaves the other years.
Have a burning ban now, and it shows in the amount of stuff that over-winters.

Loading up .357's.

Brought home a load of free fire wood, too green to burn this year, but will be split and drying for next year.
(Ever notice that free wood has crappy quality control, as far a length goes?)

[Rick]

That's okay, TootsieP. We all started somewhere. The important thing is you started!!

[Tootsiepop254]

That's okay, TootsieP. We all started somewhere. The important thing is you started!!

LOL Thanks Rick! That's how I feel about it too.

[scabbyota]

Cranked up generator and got new gas.

[jessielavon]

trying to recover from a bad broke leg,will be stopping in more now that I am home again.

[2dumb2kwit]

I joined this site! :tongue_smilie: I began to compile a cache of 'goodies' from the wonderful suggestions here, and am in the process of teaching myself survival basics - very much newbie stuff, but then... I'm a newbie.
~T

Ain't it like, being a kid, with a new toy?!?! :drool:

[Tootsiepop254]

Ain't it like, being a kid, with a new toy?!?! :drool:

YES! I'm in love! There is SO much information and so many wonderful people here!
:banana:
And the smileys rock - just a bonus!

[gryffynklm]

Networking..... Spent four days in Elkins city park participating in a primitive camp at WV Forest Festival for the first time. I've been invited back.

Set up time swap with three people. One for canning my pares. Jim and I will get the pears out of my trees about four bushels. My wife and Jim's will can them. They take home half the peaches and I get half the jars they brought. Next year we'll can apples if we have any.

I'll be helping a friend divert a creak for a small hydro electric system. When the spring gets spring run off a lot of big rock will wash down from the mountains and damage the the turbine. Tom will help me do some repair on a corrugated roof and seal coat it.

I'll be renting a log splitter for two days dave and I will be working with each other to split fire wood. One day it my house and the other at his. He will also teach me how he splits by hand.

Not bad results for city camping in buckskins.

[Ponce]

Saturday I got myself a small MIG welcer from Harbor Freight that was on sale and also a table saw also on sale .......

[oldsoldier]

Saturday I got myself a small MIG welcer from Harbor Freight that was on sale.......

Ponce let me know how the welder works out. I've been thinking of getting one.

[rebel]

Two medium size alice packs ($17.00 ea.). Two ponchos. Books: Boundry waters and quetico fishing guide by Michael Furtman. Blacksmith's craft by Charles McRaven. Blacksmithing basics for the homestead by Joe DeLaRonde. Wilderness living by John and Geri McPherson. Harvesting the wild and Emergency preparedness and survival guide from the Backwoods Home magazine.

[Ponce]

Old soldier? I made a mess with it because I am not a welder.......like to keep it anyway.

Oh yah, got myself a "Thermoelectric Generator"......found it in an old barn and got it for free, it works with propane...........got it all clean up and it looks like it does work, have to get the goodies for it, like the hoses that will fit.

Made by 3M, wrote to them and they say that they quit making those in 1975 and that as far as they know the one that I have was made in WWII and used by the army.

[Ken]

We tracked down the the original owner of our new place and had him over this past weekend. He built the house himself 56 years ago. He's 94 now, drives a new SUV, and seems to remember every nail he drove building the house and the shed way out back. (Another guy owned it for about a year before we bought it, and he was neither friendly nor knowledgable.)

He answered several questions we had, like where the well is and how deep it is. (Just a few feet in front of the walk to the front door and 163 feet deep.)

Now we know that the switch in the garage that was connected to something powers up the shed way out back. The plugs in the old circuit breaker box (we upgraded) WERE used as generator feeds. Now, we have a transfer switch.

Yep, there is a separate underground tank for the washer discharges, as well as a huge crushed stone pit way out to the right of the house where the sump pumps discharge into. He only had measurable water in the basement once in 53 years. (On Sunday morning, I upgraded the original sump well, discharge pipes, electric connection, and replaced the pump and added an alarm. Then, I cut another hole in the basement floor and installed a second sump pump and alarm in the laundry room near the washers - just in case.)

Seems this place (the house and the yard) has more than a few other hidden features that we wouldn't have found in a month of Sundays. :innocent: Let's just say that the gentleman thinks like most of us here do.

He showed us where the rabbits live near the stone wall way out back, where the two groundhogs still reside, and where the deer usually come onto the property at night.

More than two acres of the property is still mostly overgrown. He showed us where the pasture was, where the garden (with GREAT soil) was, and explained that those two stainless steel barrels buried way out back with covers on them and pipes way at the bottom were for hot and cold water for the cattle (25 head) and two horses he kept 'till around 1990.

He asked if he could come over when we plant the garden next spring.

I took three pages of notes, and got answers to 19 questions I had typed up before he arrived. What a nice old gentleman he is. :)

His favorite restaurant is a hot-dog/fish-and-chips place about two miles from my office. He goes there twice a week with his 96-year-old brother. They sell gift certificates (actually, plastic gift cards - at a hotdog joint) so lunch will be on me for the next year or so.

[Sourdough]

I had a Hot shower yesterday, the second shower this year, the other was in March. Cost $6.00 for a hot shower, I hate wasting money that would be better spent on whiskey. Also traded a pair of used Caulk'Boots for enough insulation to insulate the Gooses'House. Have decided to sell my best friend, This was awful, but sometimes painful roads must be traveled. I fear the future holds many painful choices.

[nell67]

We tracked down the the original owner of our new place and had him over this past weekend. He built the house himself 56 years ago. He's 94 now, drives a new SUV, and seems to remember every nail he drove building the house and the shed way out back. (Another guy owned it for about a year before we bought it, and he was neither friendly nor knowledgable.)

He answered several questions we had, like where the well is and how deep it is. (Just a few feet in front of the walk to the front door and 163 feet deep.)

Now we know that the switch in the garage that was connected to something powers up the shed way out back. The plugs in the old circuit breaker box (we upgraded) WERE used as generator feeds. Now, we have a transfer switch.

Yep, there is a separate underground tank for the washer discharges, as well as a huge crushed stone pit way out to the right of the house where the sump pumps discharge into. He only had measurable water in the basement once in 53 years. (On Sunday morning, I upgraded the original sump well, discharge pipes, electric connection, and replaced the pump and added an alarm. Then, I cut another hole in the basement floor and installed a second sump pump and alarm in the laundry room near the washers - just in case.)

Seems this place (the house and the yard) has more than a few other hidden features that we wouldn't have found in a month of Sundays. :innocent: Let's just say that the gentleman thinks like most of us here do.

He showed us where the rabbits live near the stone wall way out back, where the two groundhogs still reside, and where the deer usually come onto the property at night.

More than two acres of the property is still mostly overgrown. He showed us where the pasture was, where the garden (with GREAT soil) was, and explained that those two stainless steel barrels buried way out back with covers on them and pipes way at the bottom were for hot and cold water for the cattle (25 head) and two horses he kept 'till around 1990.

He asked if he could come over when we plant the garden next spring.

I took three pages of notes, and got answers to 19 questions I had typed up before he arrived. What a nice old gentleman he is. :)

His favorite restaurant is a hot-dog/fish-and-chips place about two miles from my office. He goes there twice a week with his 96-year-old brother. They sell gift certificates (actually, plastic gift cards - at a hotdog joint) so lunch will be on me for the next year or so.
Thats awesome Ken! Nothing like getting the information from the source,what a memory he has!

[2dumb2kwit]

Thats awesome Ken! Nothing like getting the information from the source,what a memory he has!

Ditto....and Ken, I bet you made the guy feel a whole lot better, knowing that someone has his house, that appriciates it, and will take care of it.

Good deal, for both of you.:clap:

[Ken]

Thats awesome Ken! Nothing like getting the information from the source,what a memory he has!


Ditto....and Ken, I bet you made the guy feel a whole lot better, knowing that someone has his house, that appriciates it, and will take care of it.

Good deal, for both of you.:clap:

He has an incredible memory (he build the second home ever on the road) and it was a win-win for both of us!

He was happy to visit and looks forward to coming back. But still, he says he's glad he sold the place, because he was maintaining it mostly by himself from 2001 to 2006. Now he has more time to get in trouble with his son, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and it seems he's the best card player at the senior center........:innocent:

[2dumb2kwit]

He has an incredible memory (he build the second home ever on the road) and it was a win-win for both of us!

He was happy to visit and looks forward to coming back. But still, he says he's glad he sold the place, because he was maintaining it mostly by himself from 2001 to 2006. Now he has more time to get in trouble with his son, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and it seems he's the best card player at the senior center........:innocent:

He sounds like a slightly older version, of you. :innocent:

[Rick]

Have decided to sell my best friend

Uh oh. Someone on the forum is in trouble now.

[Ken]

He sounds like a slightly older version, of you. :innocent:

Pffffft. I just graduated from day care. :sneaky2:

[Pal334]

Now that is a good deal.Could you imagine how tough it would have been to figure some of that out, if at all? Watch your tab with those guys, they may be professional "hot-dog/fish-and-chips" eaters :)

[Ken]

Now that is a good deal.Could you imagine how tough it would have been to figure some of that out, if at all? Watch your tab with those guys, they may be professional "hot-dog/fish-and-chips" eaters :)

The man saved be a bundle in time and money. He had one little spot where he kept a shotgun that NOBODY would have found......... :innocent:

[Pal334]

The man saved be a bundle in time and money. He had one little spot where he kept a shotgun that NOBODY would have found......... :innocent:

Now ,if you only owned a shotgun,,, just saying :)

[Ken]

Now ,if you only owned a shotgun,,, just saying :)

Terrible thing when all your guns get stolen. :blushing:

[Rick]

We have our first freeze warning of the season tonight and I spent today harvesting everything that was left in the garden. Brought in all the Butternut Squash. Man, oh man. Just a few seeds make a lot of fruit!! This is the first year I've grown BS (couldn't resist) and I don't know why I've not grown it before. It's the easiest thing in the world to grow, doesn't require much care and produces a LOT of squash. The down side is it takes up quite a bit of room. But I think BS will be a staple of mine from now on. (Let the jokes begin!!)

[crashdive123]

will be but I thought - isn't it - haven't you ---- aww heck - nevermind.

[2dumb2kwit]

You know...I could have sworn...ahhhhh never mind. (Thought I was having a Ken, sighting.)



Rick, you should know by now, that BS multplies fast!:innocent:

[Rick]

BS does multiply. However, it does not subtract, contract, counteract, protract or refract.

[Winnie]

Cleared out the log store ready for a delivery on friday. Have to take the axe to the butchers to get it sharpened(I know, I know, but for the life of me I cannot put an edge on anything!) Showing Winnie jnr how to swing a 7lb axe properly before he takes his knee out. Added some good dried foods to the store.
I've put buying a bow and an air rifle on hold until the new year, all of a sudden the pots empty and prices are scary.

Edit to add- To reduce the amount of space a squash vine needs, I usually train them round the rootball at about 3-4ft diameter circle. I find this also helps the flowers set as the bees have the flowers closer together.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Started raising a barn, which will double as part of the perimeter enclosing my property and my home! Very exciting, my own fortress~!!

[Rick]

To reduce the amount of space a squash vine needs, I usually train them round the rootball at about 3-4ft diameter circle. I find this also helps the flowers set as the bees have the flowers closer together.

Excellent suggestion!!

I canned all the squash that had damaged skins. Chopped one up for Squash soup. It's simmering at the moment. The rest will go into the garage and be used over winter.

[oldsoldier]

Got a deal on dry dog food for our wolf mix. Damaged 50# bags for $3.00 a bag. Bought 500# and two screw top 30 gallon drums to store it for $ 5.00 each. Also added 50# of dried beans in 5 gal sealed pails and 3 more 12 pks of ramen noodles.

[Ken]

Excellent suggestion!!

I canned all the squash that had damaged skins. Chopped one up for Squash soup. It's simmering at the moment. The rest will go into the garage and be used over winter.

You ever toss some red or white kidney beans in that soup? Mmmmm. I usually toss a couple of links of chourico in as well, but heck, you probably couldn't find that stuff within 500 miles of where you live. :innocent:

[Rick]

Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled
1 apple
¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped
3-4 cups chicken stock to desired consistency.

Directions

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. Core, peel and slice apple. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash, apple and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash and apple are tender. Remove squash chunks and apple slices with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.


I used vegetable stock instead of chicken. I wanted a more puree' consistency and the 4 cups of stock made it very "soupy". So I let it simmer until it achieved the consistency I wanted. It was really quite good.

You could also use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender.

[Winnie]

Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled
1 apple
¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped
3-4 cups chicken stock to desired consistency.

Directions

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. Core, peel and slice apple. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash, apple and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash and apple are tender. Remove squash chunks and apple slices with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.


I used vegetable stock instead of chicken. I wanted a more puree' consistency and the 4 cups of stock made it very "soupy". So I let it simmer until it achieved the consistency I wanted. It was really quite good.

You could also use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender.

I always cut the squash in half, de-seed, then drizzle with a bit of olive oil and roast in the oven. If the skin is very soft you can just chuck the whole thing in the soup so there's much less wastage and the flavour is better too!

[Rick]

I like it roasted with butter and cinnamon and sugar. Ymmm.

[Icemancometh]

Picked up 50 parkerized SKS stripper clips for $20 at Knob Creek Machine Gun shoot.

[gryffynklm]

I did a time swap this week. Picked 4 1/2 bushels of pears and split them with a friend in exchange for the canning and jars for half. We managed to get 47 out of the 94 pints total and a lesson in canning. All the potted herbs are in and under the grow light. Split 1/2 cord of the most twisted maple I've ever seen.

[Rick]

Splitting maple = good. Splitting twisted maple = not so good.

[Pal334]

Splitting maple = good. Splitting twisted maple = not so good.

Sounds like time for some Aleve

[NCO]

Gathered some mushrooms and dried them... Also bought cheap noodles. It's hard time, being a student...

[Rick]

I've been a student of something my whole life. You're right.

[Bladen]

lets see, i made six and a half traps and a paracord handle for a knife.
its still early in the week though.

[NCO]

I've been a student of something my whole life. You're right.

Oh, but in a university, living off student allowances(do you type it like that?)... 450e/month + loan 300e/month. -rent 400e/month, -bills 200e/month, -school books 50e/month. 100e to live/month... Not much buying new knives and shotguns...

[finallyME]

Oh, but in a university, living off student allowances(do you type it like that?)... 450e/month + loan 300e/month. -rent 400e/month, -bills 200e/month, -school books 50e/month. 100e to live/month... Not much buying new knives and shotguns...

Add 4 kids and a wife to that, and you know where I came from. Glad I finally finished, hence the name, finallyME. Now I just have to pay back all the debt incurred because of school. :sailor:

[Matt86]

split some oak and found a few fatwood logs. split em up and put them under my little shelter i made.

[Rick]

I was lucky in that regard. I also went at night while working and raising a family. Fortunately, my company had a liberal education reimbursement policy. As long as you made an A or B in the class they paid for it. Yes, they paid for all my classes. See? I knew what you were thinking even before you thought it....I am the Minister of Science after all.

[Ken]

Today? Among a few other tasks, a friend helped me install 12 smoke-carbon monoxide detectors with escape lights. Main floor, basement. attic, and garage. They're on a dedicated circuit and all have battery back-up. We also hung or placed 7 ABC fire extinguishers throughout the house.

[oldsoldier]

Bump.... Added another 200 rounds of 5.56 "penetrator" ammo and another 100 rounds for my 30.06. Finally recieved my dehyd. buckets from costco.

[Ken]

Just got back from Wal Mart. Picked up the limit of 6 boxes of assorted shells and ammo. Just in case I can ever afford to replace my guns, because they were all stolen. :)

[Rick]

I was in Gander Mountain this week and they have every size and shape of ammo that has ever been made. I walked into Walmart and the ammo shelves looked like a ghost town. Something ain't right with that.

[crashdive123]

I was in Gander Mountain this week and they have every size and shape of ammo that has ever been made. I walked into Walmart and the ammo shelves looked like a ghost town. Something ain't right with that.

I read (may have been here, may have been someplace else) that one of the contributing factors of Walmart's shelves being slow to restock is due in part to the manufacturers being able to demand higher prices from other retailers, whereas with Walmart, their suppliers contract has set pricing and minimum supply amounts. As long as they stick to their supply levels dictated by their contract, and the nation-wide demand is still high - they can make a bit more profit supplying other retailers. Gee - Walmart keeping prices low (they could have easily raised their ammunition prices) so that those of us on a budget can still afford stuff. Kind of nice I think.

[oldsoldier]

I was in Gander Mountain this week and they have every size and shape of ammo that has ever been made. I walked into Walmart and the ammo shelves looked like a ghost town. Something ain't right with that.
Rick as I posted before. Due to their contracts prior to elections. Walmart gets there ammo at a heavy discount like 1oo rounds of winchester 9mm ammo for $ 14.95 that sells for $19.95. That same ammo for 50 rounds will sell to other dealers for $ 17.00 (average). So the manufatureer's only send walmart chain wide the minimum to meet the contract. I have a friend that is a salesman for winchester that told me when contract renewal time comes around again it is unlikely they will offer walmart a renewal. Due mostly to prices.

[Stony]

winchester does not make enough .358 to go around, thus rendering one rifle practicaly useless. never mind reloading components.
the prices they charge for their crap is outrageous!
anyway, this weeks' prep is a cut-off shotgun barrel, a fixed snowmobile and one cord of wood cut & split.

[Rick]

I guess you did post that. Must be an age thing. If I could just remember what goes before memory. Hmmmm.

[2dumb2kwit]

I guess you did post that. Must be an age thing. If I could just remember what goes before memory. Hmmmm.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MLBfwblps8

[oldsoldier]

I guess you did post that. Must be an age thing. If I could just remember what goes before memory. Hmmmm.

LOL if you find out let me know!!!!

[NCO]

Watched awfully many episodes of Extreme Survival - Ray Mears, on you tube.

[TomChemEngineer]

Picked up a Minor Surgical Kit very reasonably at my local Army Surplus Store. 3 Hemostats, scissors, scalpel and multiple blades, tweezers, probes, picks, suture kit, penlight, swabs and stuff... even a nice little straw section for a trache...hope I never need it... all in a nice OD canvas case where it won't get strewn all over the inside of the first aid kit. Added large and small Ace Bandages and wet supplies to the first-aid kit, again.
Oh, by the way, my surplus store sells the real 550 Paracord for $54.95 for 1000 foot spool. I don't know if that is good or not. My last buy was 300 feet for $14.95, but I don't comparison shop. My two surplus stores do a good job for me, so i stick with them. Just like I stick with my Gun Shop, even though he is not the cheapest... he gives me range time and an occasional price knock-down, and he always has practice ammunition... he has a contract with a local reloader. I can count on him in a pinch and I like to spend money locally.
Re-tasked a cell phone charger to fit a set of my FM walkie-talkies, and picked up some new Li-ion rechargable batteries for said devices. Batteries are not cheap, but better than the old Ni-Cad's that had started leaking. Plus, I have a couple of these cell chargers that can fit this task now. Finally, a use for some of these cell phone parts I have laying in the drawer. Wish I were smart enough to rewire the old cell phones into private walkie talkies all on a given frequency...anybody know how to do this? It sounds illegal, so if it is, don't tell me how to do it.
Finally read "Alas, Babylon" by Pat Frank. Written in 1959, it is surprisingly up to date... about the pre and post Nuke strikes and confirmed Mutually Assured Destruction, but they didn't call it that in 1959. Book is slow up to Chapter 5 when the nukes start falling, then after that, it is a pretty good survival novel.
Began studying "Where There is no Doctor" (free download..do a search). There are several of these applicable free downloads available, including a companion text "Where There is no Dentist", but that one gave me the heebie-jeebies so I put it down until later.
Fattened up the larder just a little more. Wife says I need to finish a storage room in the basement for more food preps. She's coming around.
Started a little Preparedness Blog on Blogspot.... more as a reminder to myself to plan the work and work the plan.
Picked up 2 little Mace cans at the surplus store for the girls, but they know how to shoot better than me anyway. Might pick up a couple of the big Mace cans and mount them in various rooms in the house.

[Rick]

The big mace cans come in handy when neighbors and relatives overstay their welcome, which is about 20 minutes.

[Ken]

The big mace cans come in handy when neighbors and relatives overstay their welcome, which is about 20 minutes.

Guess I won't be bugging out/in at your house.........:innocent:

[rebel]

I have been making plant cordages to see what works. It's pretty easy and some are surprisingly tough. I've also tried my hand at knapping glass for arrowheads. It's a small arrowhead. Here's a pic:

[scabbyota]

Got me a small 1200 watt generator for a back up my if my 5000 watt fails. Won't do what the 5000 does but would be better than nothing.

[Sourdough]

Hauled in 1/2 Ton (1,000 pounds) of food, and a load of straw for my friends, using the Ski-Doo and large sled.

[Batch]

I have been making plant cordages to see what works. It's pretty easy and some are surprisingly tough. I've also tried my hand at knapping glass for arrowheads. It's a small arrowhead. Here's a pic:


I tried napping glass and didn't have much luck. It kept spliting across the center. Any advice?

[rebel]

I tried napping glass and didn't have much luck. It kept spliting across the center. Any advice?

It took me about six points without breaking one. Canid and Crash would be more help than me on this.

[crashdive123]

I have not tried my hand a glass knapping yet.

Nice looking work Rebel.

[2dumb2kwit]

Got me a "man purse" today, at the gun show. I think they used to be radio bags. (One like NCO was talking about, a while back.)

I also picked up a bag of what Georga arms calls .44 Mag "Deer Slayers". They are 240 gr. JHP's loaded to 1350fps.

The thing that I got excited about, was a knife. I call them little K-Bars.....It's the one like Ken found.(His dad's) It didn't have a sheath, but about a dozen tables later, I found a sheath, for it. I paid $15 for the knife, and $7 for the sheath.

[rebel]

Got me a "man purse" today, at the gun show. I think they used to be radio bags. (One like NCO was taslking about, a while back.)

I also picked up a bag of what Georga arms calls .44 Mag "Deer Slayers". They are 240 gr. JHP's loaded to 1350fps.

The thing that I got excited about, was a knife. I call them little K-Bars.....It's the one like Ken found.(His dad's) It didn't have a sheath, but about a dozen tables later, I found a sheath, for it. I paid $15 for the knife, and $7 for the sheath.

I use a "murse" (Man-purse) for my stuff. I could walk out and survive with the murse. The murse: H&K USP .40, 37 HMF's, cash, cards, phone and survival crap.

[2dumb2kwit]

I found the thread.
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?p=163110&highlight=carry#post163110

I guess they were gas mask bags.:blushing:

[Ken]

Got me a "man purse" today, at the gun show.


I use a "murse" (Man-purse) for my stuff.

Hey Guys? If we ever go out for a beer, please leave your pocketbooks home. Okay? :innocent:

[2dumb2kwit]

Hey Guys? If we ever go out for a beer, please leave your pocketbooks home. Okay? :innocent:

Mine is for in the woods, silly.
Wear it out for a beer? Oh, heavens no! I don't have any shoes to go with it, yet! LOL:blushing:

[rebel]

Here's mine: http://www.luggageworksonline.com/browser.asp?ItemCodeId=473846160&showcase=yes&Start=0&EDI=35-54-97-122-64-107-138-219-194-235-91-152-135-5-11-51-44

It goes well with the pumps (shotgun that is).

[2dumb2kwit]

Here's mine: http://www.luggageworksonline.com/browser.asp?ItemCodeId=473846160&showcase=yes&Start=0&EDI=35-54-97-122-64-107-138-219-194-235-91-152-135-5-11-51-44

It goes well with the pumps (shotgun that is).

Now that's funny! :smash: LOL

[hunter63]

Got me a "man purse" today, at the gun show. I think they used to be radio bags. (One like NCO was talking about, a while back.)
Just tell everybody it a "Possibles bag", you know, mountain man stuff.
(helps if you have a beard)

[hunter63]

Well, today was get everything ready for winter day.
Cleaned out the wood stove in the garage/shop, haven't need it it yet this year.
Fired it up, then on to the snow blowers (2).
New plugs, fresh gas, fired them up.....good to go.
Next was the gen-set, haven't have it running yet this year.
Changed oil, plug, fresh gas and away it goes.
Shut down outside water supplys, got shovles out.

Relaxed in front of the wood stove with a cold one.
I'm ready...............

[Batch]

Sjj, do you have links to those ebooks?

[klkak]

Last Thursday I put away my summer survival gear and got out my winter survival gear, inventoried it and got it ready for use.

[Old GI]

Finally, I have a real preparation to announce. A week ago last Saturday, we had an unexpected appearance here at the ranch. Mrs GI thought she saw a big face through the door on the front porch. It was a black brindle English Mastiff (I can say now, something i wanted since moving out to the prairie). We put signes around the area and called neighbors that we had numbers for. No claims. Soooooooo, we went from Foster parents to adoptive parents at some time this weekend.

Baron is trained to simple commands, house broken and VERY PROTECTIVE. He fills the gap in our security (not to mention out hearts).:)

Oh, he's about 27" at his shoulder and 80 pounds (for now)

Photo to follow when I figure that out.

[rebel]

Finally, I have a real preparation to announce. A week ago last Saturday, we had an unexpected appearance here at the ranch. Mrs GI thought she saw a big face through the door on the front porch. It was a black brindle English Mastiff (I can say now, something i wanted since moving out to the prairie). We put signes around the area and called neighbors that we had numbers for. No claims. Soooooooo, we went from Foster parents to adoptive parents at some time this weekend.

Baron is trained to simple commands, house broken and VERY PROTECTIVE. He fills the gap in our security (not to mention out hearts).:)

Oh, he's about 27" at his shoulder and 80 pounds (for now)

Photo to follow when I figure that out.

I hope you and the pooch the best.

[klkak]

Yep - the vehicle is loaded with a lot more cold weather geat (the bulky stuff :)

Where are you at?

[Pal334]

Finally, I have a real preparation to announce. A week ago last Saturday, we had an unexpected appearance here at the ranch. Mrs GI thought she saw a big face through the door on the front porch. It was a black brindle English Mastiff (I can say now, something i wanted since moving out to the prairie). We put signes around the area and called neighbors that we had numbers for. No claims. Soooooooo, we went from Foster parents to adoptive parents at some time this weekend.

Baron is trained to simple commands, house broken and VERY PROTECTIVE. He fills the gap in our security (not to mention out hearts).:)

Oh, he's about 27" at his shoulder and 80 pounds (for now)

Photo to follow when I figure that out.

Still a puppy. I would love one, I think the best I will be able to do is a bull mastiff "relatively" smaller than an English. A most excellent addition to your home defense

[oldsoldier]

had a couple of hours to kill today. Bakery was running late loading my truck so I went to the local surplus store and picked up a couple pair of military issue boots ( new) for $19 a pair, and 6 more wool blankets for $14 each.

[Rick]

Dogs make good early warning systems but little else in terms of security.

[Old GI]

Baron just went for a check-up. He's 96.5 lbs and about one year old. Oh, and he's a Mama's Boy!:)

[Batch]

Messed up and didn't reserve camping at the place my kids wanted to go with my sisters kids. So now we are camping on Tory Island at Slim's Fish Camp Saturday night. This is on Lake Okeechobee's East side. Used to hunt gators from there and the maiden cane is all over the place. So, I am going to cop me some maiden cane and make a water filter out of that. Then I am on the lake with the kids all day Sunday.

Oh, yeah... That maiden cane is filled up with hog. So, I'll be toting the Benelli...:)

[crashdive123]

Have a good time.

[oldsoldier]

Been busy so ( shame on me) haven't really done much prepping because of holidays. Other than the stuff I got for christmas. I just ordered a pack of the thompson survival snares from amazon, to add to my gear I've never used them but have read they are decent. For $25.00 a dozen I hope i made a good investment. Anybody here that's used them or know anything about them?

[rwc1969]

Found out that a cheapo magnesium firestarter and johnny on the spot bowdrill are not very user friendly.

Found out a lighter is.

Got together a BOB, two BOBS actually. Mini BOB for the car and Big BOB for the house.

Experimented with several new types of tinder and lightened my big BOB by 10-15 lbs.

[TomChemEngineer]

Gave a copy of JW Rawles "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It" to sister and introduced the "prepping" topics slowly. Got her new 5.5KW Generator (she bought it, I just took it out of the vehicle and set it up) out of the box and ready to go and explained the "extension cords and power strips" were just temporary until we can get a good Gen Transfer Switch (available at Lowes) installed at her place. Only problem is that it is a "pull-cord" and not electric stsart, which might be a problem for sister. Talked about the multi-fuel carburetors available for it, for the future. It was a good Christmas that saw firearms as well as ammunition given to members of the immediate household. Took daughter to the range for some handgun instruction yesterday, will take son today for rifle sighting-in. Gotta start buying ammunition from "Cheaper than Dirt" website. Read-up on different simple antibiotic therapies for common maladies and made a list of antibiotics to slowly acquire and keep in inventory. Went through the First Aid Kits again for familiarity, and found my bandage scissors in my sons room... replaced in kit. Looking for scalpel blades and suture materials locally... with limited success. More reading on meat-rabbits... not quite ready to take that plunge yet, but working up to it. Eyed some downed trees near the house for potential free firewood (I'll save those for later). Oh, and got one of those nifty hand-crank lanterns for Christmas too. Making a new whole wheat bread recipe today since I am off work until next week. Whew.

[Ole WV Coot]

Electricity is back and a new storm pointed this way. I replenished the gasoline I used, restocked wood inside the garage, quick routine of the generator and made sure the area around the house is secure. I didn't need to dive into any stuff stashed, just replaced what we always keep on hand, like topping off the car, Jeep, ATV and chain saw mix I have used, had to touch up the chain and double check on extra bar oil. I didn't use any materials except the normal, everyday stuff we keep. Bring on the snow!

[crashdive123]

Looks like the weather that we're going to get tomorrow is going to work it's way up the east coast. Y'all stay safe.

[neondog]

This week I joined up here, read all the stickies in the General Survival / General Survival Discussions section start to finish. Thanked my lucky stars that ya'll aren't to fussy about proper spelling and bought 200 feet of 550 para-cord. I'll be adding that to my CERT bag for now and start collecting stuff for my personal BOB next week.

[rwc1969]

Lightened my BOB by another 10 lbs. I realized that lugging a 75 lb. pack, .22 rifle and already being weighted down with winter clothes was not something I want to do.

[rwc1969]

Ya, we've had snow on the ground for well over a week now and pretty cold. I'ts been in the teens and 20's in the day and last night it got down to 6 F.

Rain melted the snow on christmas and it returned the next day. It's been snowing on and off since and we have about 3 or 4 inches.

[2dumb2kwit]

I went to a gun show yesterday, and I didn't by any guns or ammo. What I did bring home, is my first wool blanket. It's mil-surp, but believe it or not, it doesn't really stink.

(Why is it, that almost all military surplus smells like that?)

[Winnie]

I went to a gun show yesterday, and I didn't by any guns or ammo. What I did bring home, is my first wool blanket. It's mil-surp, but believe it or not, it doesn't really stink.

(Why is it, that almost all military surplus smells like that?)

Generally because a Soldier who hasn't washed for a week has slept in it:innocent:

[Rick]

Rode hard and put away wet would be my guess.

[Batch]

I ground my first meat. i got a 150 quart cooler filled with deer and hog. I usually pay around $50 a deer or hog for processing. I bought a LEMs stainless steel grinder. I am going to try and grind up some gator, hog , and deer I have in my freezer. I also want to make some sausage.

I also bought a dehydrator. I want to make some jerky. Anyone got any advice?

[crashdive123]

I ground my first meat. i got a 150 quart cooler filled with deer and hog. I usually pay around $50 a deer or hog for processing. I bought a LEMs stainless steel grinder. I am going to try and grind up some gator, hog , and deer I have in my freezer. I also want to make some sausage.

I also bought a dehydrator. I want to make some jerky. Anyone got any advice?

Make enough for everybody.:innocent:

[rwc1969]

A friend lent me this book http://www.amazon.com/Sausage-Making-Cookbook-Jerry-Predika/dp/0811716937#noop He swore by it for jerky and sausage making. If anything it's a good read.

[oldsoldier]

Added 12 thompson snares to my gear they just arrived today amazon had them 12 for $26.00 they seem pretty good I'll let you all know when I test em out how they work.

[Rick]

What kind of dehydrator did you purchase?

[Swamprat1958]

Took 8lbs of beef rump roast and made jerky. Sharpened my new Wetterlings 19" and waterproofed my new Australian Rucksack.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

FINALLY filled a "weak gap" in my preps. Finally broke down and bought tjhe Red Cross First Aid book. I know, I know, It's about time.

[oldsoldier]

Built a "mini" survival kit, It's in a zippered black nylon bag that's about 4" thick by 10" tall by 14" wide. Inside is.
3 space blankets
2 disposible poncho's
1 esbit stove
2 light sticks
mini/pocket first aid kit
compass
multi tool
2 mini aluminum loaf pans
water purification tablets
magnesium fire stick
mini kellight
3 "yoyo" fishing reels
box of hooks, weights.swivels, "crappie" jigs
100' of 12 lb test fishing line
25' paracord
3 thompson survival snares
whistle/match case combo
signal mirror
bic lighter
lifeboat matches
waterproof notebook and pen
small folding knife
p38 can opener
pill bottle of petroleum jelly /cotton ball fire starters
pocket first aid manual
pocket survival guide
plastic trash bags (2)
deck of survival playing cards

I plan on adding a blast match and some tinder cubes in the next couple of days. Kit fits perfect in the storage compartment in wife's jeep. weighs about 4-5 pounds and should be a good addition to her new BOB when it's finished.

I forgot I also added a small sewing kit as well.

[Winnie]

I ordered a dehydrator and vacuum sealer, Batteries were on offer at the supermarket so got a few extras. Forgot to buy spare fuel tabs for the Esbit(bad, very bad)
Checked use by dates on stuff in my BOB and I've also started to rotate some stock in the store.

[Batch]

What kind of dehydrator did you purchase?


Open Country GardenMaster 1000 Watt

[Rick]

Batch - Get a copy of Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook. It's pretty cheap and it's just loaded with great recipes and information. It's sort of my go to bible on dehydrating.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0688130240/?tag=arcapubl-20

You'll love your fruit roll sheet. It should work for any liquid like spaghetti sauce. Great for spaghetti in the back woods!

[Batch]

You know I have a couple of those vacuum sealers and I can't get any to work consistently. Sometimes it would vac and seal fine and other times it just makes friggen noise.

A real slow way to package a couple of hundred pounds of meat...

I've also tried the Ziplock vac bags and vac and still doesn't work right consistently.

[Batch]

Batch - Get a copy of Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook. It's pretty cheap and it's just loaded with great recipes and information. It's sort of my go to bible on dehydrating.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0688130240/?tag=arcapubl-20

You'll love your fruit roll sheet. It should work for any liquid like spaghetti sauce. Great for spaghetti in the back woods!

Thanks Rick. Will do.

Spaghetti and chili are two of the the things I want to try. I also am going to get the Jetboil Java kit to take to work and reconstitute my lunch.

[Rick]

Brown bagging a survival lunch? I love it!

[Rick]

This one isn't me. This one was my wife. She applied for her life time carry permit today. Woo Hoo!

[Camp10]

This one isn't me. This one was my wife. She applied for her life time carry permit today. Woo Hoo!

They have a lifetime permit in IN? Nice! I have to renew mine every 6 years (I think) and they dont remind me it is up to me to remember. I let it expire once (oops) and I had to start the whole process over. It cost me $90 and 3 months to get it back.

[Rick]

Yes. It's $125 for a lifetime permit. Personally, I think that's a heck of a deal. You can get a 4 year permit if you wish and renew every 4 years but it's $40.

You pay $50 up front. Answer the typical questions.
Have you ever murdered anyone?
Are you now or have you ever been a serial killer?
that kind of stuff.
Get your paw prints taken.
The local Jondarmes do a check on you then call in you 48 or so hours. You pick up your forms and send it along with a money order for $75 to the state. They do a check on you and send you your license. Easy peasy in Indiana.

[Camp10]

Yes. It's $125 for a lifetime permit. Personally, I think that's a heck of a deal. You can get a 4 year permit if you wish and renew every 4 years but it's $40.

You pay $50 up front. Answer the typical questions.
Have you ever murdered anyone?
Are you now or have you ever been a serial killer?
that kind of stuff.
Get your paw prints taken.
The local Jondarmes do a check on you then call in you 48 or so hours. You pick up your forms and send it along with a money order for $75 to the state. They do a check on you and send you your license. Easy peasy in Indiana.

That's pretty good! Good for your wife!! Was the ordeal with the new neighbors the decision maker for her?

[2dumb2kwit]

This one isn't me. This one was my wife. She applied for her life time carry permit today. Woo Hoo!

Good for her!!!
In NC., we have to renew every 5 years....I think it is. I haven't had mine long enough to have to renew it yet, but I'm told that they send you the stuff, and you just fill out the form and send them more money.:sneaky2:

(I guess they run another background check.)

[Rick]

Actually she had mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. I almost fell over. Then, when everything went down the other night I said what would you have done if....Fill in the blank. She was off this afternoon and I said, "shall we go get that permit?" and she said sure. I've been married 35 years and she still surprises me.

[2dumb2kwit]

I've been married 35 years and she still surprises me.

Or you could say that you have been married for 35 years, and you still don't have a clue. LOL:innocent:

[Rick]

Yes I could!

[oldsoldier]

Added another "gadget" to my gear. A Rothco Solar charger for cellulae phones.bIt comes in a zippered pack about the size of 2 packs of cigaarettes. It has the adapters for all major types of cell phones. You can carry it in your BOB or even in your pack when camping/hiking. It was a little on the expensive side at $50 but if you have an emergency on the trail or where ever and your cell battery is low/dead you can fully recharge it in a couple of hours or use the fast charge pack in a few minutes. All in all a neat and hopefully useful little "gadget"

[Rick]

I picked up a pair of Becker Neckers today, a Kershaw Scallion in Pink for my wife and a Scallion in Black for me. Those rascals open fast!

[rwc1969]

I ate squirrel guts. It was offal. Offal good that is. LOL!

[Stony]

nothing!
ecxept work, earn money to buy another fishing boat.

[rebel]

A new battery for the MF (Massey-Ferguson). A 20 ft conex for storage in the woods.

[Trabitha]

Received my new pack...and tried it on? Does that count?

[TucsonMax]

Got enough PVC, adapters, splitters, hoses, funnels and misc assorted stuff to capture all of the water from my gutters and reroute it anywhere. FYI: We got a grand total of 6 inches of rain in 2009.

[crashdive123]

Got enough PVC, adapters, splitters, hoses, funnels and misc assorted stuff to capture all of the water from my gutters and reroute it anywhere. FYI: We got a grand total of 6 inches of rain in 2009.

Not sure how big your house is, but you can use this formula

SQ Ft of Roof X .6 = Gallons of Water

So, if you have a 2000 SQ FT roof that was 7,200 gallons of water available to be collected from that six inches of rain.

[Rick]

Yeah, I learned that one the hard way. You know how fast 7200 gallons can fill up a couple of 50 gallon barrels? About that fast!

[aflineman]

I went camping in the snow with the Boy Scouts during their annual Klondike Campout. My winter gear still works to keep me warm and dry. I did figure out real quick that it was to warm for my Carharts colder weather stuff. Sweating in the winter is NOT a good thing. My layered Gortex stuff works well though.

Not a lot of snow, but enough to enjoy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/AFLineman/DSC03310.jpg

We ate very well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/AFLineman/DSC03318.jpg

[crashdive123]

Looks like you and the scouts had a good time.

[oldsoldier]

bought a couple of midland 40 channel hand held C.B's to add to my commo gear.

[Rick]

I assume you bought the 75-822? If so, the Cobra PMRSM Speaker Mic works very well with it. I just ordered one from WestCoastMall.net for mine. Mic and shipping were $32.48. It will accept an ear bud. It plugs right into the handpiece.

http://www.westcoastmall.net/cobra-pmrsm-speaker-mic-cb-frs-gmrs-radios-p-3176.html

If you want more stealth, there are tons of throat mics available.

[Pal334]

Rick and / or OS: Can you give a thumb nail description / explaination of why you chose a handheld CB/ specifically this model. How easy is it to setup and use, and anything else you think may be informative to a CB novice (me). Thank you

Cost is not what I am thinking as a selection criteria (my wife will be the unwitting financier :). I would be looking for quality.

[Rick]

I wanted something that I could take to the field with me. I'm not in the Noatak Wilderness so radio reception is generally not that difficult. Although some terrain could give me a problem. Not only did I want to be able to call for help but having a NOAA radio with me could also keep me out of trouble.

I'm also 250 miles from where we were born and raised and it's darn inconvenient to be on the interstate and run up on a long line of traffic and not know what is going on or which lane I need to be in because of a wreck or construction ahead of us.

And I wanted something at home just in case.

Weighing all those requirements I found the Midland 75-822. It comes with an adapter that let's me use it in the car and an adapter that allows rechargeable batteries so I can take it to the field with me. And it has an NOAA channel to keep up on the weather.

You'll want an external antenna for it if you use it in your car just for the added distance but using the rubber ducky antenna will net you any radio around you and you can expect it to get out a few miles anyway depending on terrain. I figured there's a lot of folks on CB so I should be able to raise someone.

I have a holster for the radio just to make it easy to carry with my pack and I picked up a remote mic just so I don't have to take it out of the holster if I need to use it.

Here's the Midland 75-822:

http://salestores.com/mi75mi40cbwi.html

I'm now looking at a Yaesu VX-6R Ham radio as my final resolve. It's waterproof and it operates at ranges well beyond a CB (unless you're running a hot amp and biggy antennas). Here's the Yaesu.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0666.html

[Pal334]

The price seems ok a little steep, but I am willing to pay for quality. It would seem that if I am going to pursue a radio, the Yaesu might be the direction for me. Do you have an additional set for the better half? It would seem to be a good solution to keeping in touch if the solid waste hits the oscilator in most cases.

[oldsoldier]

I assume you bought the 75-822? If so, the Cobra PMRSM Speaker Mic works very well with it. I just ordered one from WestCoastMall.net for mine. Mic and shipping were $32.48. It will accept an ear bud. It plugs right into the handpiece.

No actually i bought the midland model # 75-785 It is about the size of a handheld scanner. ( about a third smaller than the one you mentioned). It has a automatic noise limiter, high/low power switch (low power = less transmit power/distance, but + battery power time) It works off of 9 AA batteries or 12 volt power cord. has 7 watt input power and 4 watts transmit power ( same as standard cb radios. Pilot truck stops currently have them on sale for $50.00 each. IMO a good price for the quality of the unit.

[Rick]

Pal - I only have the one but had looked that site up I posted just yesterday thinking a second CB might be necessary for the reasons you mention. The Yaesu would be to keep in touch with the world if we had to. I do have 4 GMRS radios that we use for short range communication.

OS - I had to look it up. I didn't know that model. I hate to tell you but.....

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-785-Handheld-CB-Radio/dp/B00005Q4ZV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2YLYLTN75J8LR&s=electronics&qid=1264895555&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-785-Handheld-CB-Radio/dp/B00005Q4ZV)

[oldsoldier]

OS - I had to look it up. I didn't know that model. I hate to tell you but.....


Yeah looks like after shipping I paid an extra $10.00 each... Oh well that's the breaks I guess:blushing:

[Pal334]

I have used the GMRS in the sandbox for "intra squad" comms. When they worked, they were a good "work around". However, they were not GI proof and soon were just beat to death. I guess if you are able to be reasonably careful, they will work.

[TucsonMax]

Not sure how big your house is, but you can use this formula

SQ Ft of Roof X .6 = Gallons of Water

So, if you have a 2000 SQ FT roof that was 7,200 gallons of water available to be collected from that six inches of rain.

Thanks Crash, very helpful and interesting... now I may need more gutters. (They build homes w/ very few gutters down here.)

[Rick]

However, they were not GI proof and soon were just beat to death.

I think that will be true regardless of the radio you purchase. Civilian and GI radios are a world apart. Uncle Sam knows you guys drag your knuckles so they make stuff monkey proof. :m107: :osama:

[crashdive123]

Picked up two sacks of gold coins today for a pretty good price. Each sack was 12 ounces. Bragg would be so proud of me.

[crashdive123]

I was a little suspect of the quality of the coins, but when I got home and did a thorough check - yep - 100% milk chocolate. I done good!

[Trabitha]

Grabbed me a couple of skeeter nets, a good snake bite kit (lots of rattlesnakes out here), and some new waterproof matches! :cool2:

[Old GI]

Stated in another thread, got my MEC 600 Jr in 410. Can't wait to get it started and get back into pistol calibers.

[doug1980]

Well lets see.....I bought 6 packages of infant diapers, an odor eater diaper pail, a glider rocker, a few more bottles and some baby clothes. Also packed two overnight bags and put them in the Jeep. Can anyone guess what I'm preparing for? :)

[Trabitha]

How exciting!!!! :D
Congrats, Doug!!! Best of luck to you and your new family! ;)

[crashdive123]

Can anyone guess what I'm preparing for? :)

Your last few nights of a good sleep for a couple of years?

Congrats Doug. When's the due date?

[Rick]

And 19 years from now it will be.....

Well lets see.....I bought 6 books, a parking permit, a cafeteria pass, a laptop and a prepaid Visa card. Also carted two humongous suitcases out to the Jeep (the same one I've been driving for 19 years, by the way). Can anyone guess what I'm preparing for?

[welderguy]

OH I know Rick , your fixing to go hide your car in a parking lot , walk to a cafeteria, to get on line and buy things your wife wouldn't approve of if she saw the charges on the regular credit card, and the suitcases are in case she finds out any ways and you have to flee for your life.... well did I get close P.S. the books are a cover up so she thinks your going to the library

[doug1980]

Your last few nights of a good sleep for a couple of years?

Congrats Doug. When's the due date?

Yeah I thought I had been through all this for the last time, 11 years ago. Oh well. Due date is April 18

[welderguy]

I finally got a cold steel kukri ordered ( thinking of ordering the special forces shovel next but not sure yet), and picked up a few more of the magnesium fire starters from Harbor freight.

[Rick]

I finally, finally, got my wife to a pistol range. Finally. Hell must be much colder for the effort but she did really well.

I started her out on a box of 22 subsonics through my Single Six. She didn't do too bad but was a little erratic. Mind you, this is the first time in her life she has ever shot any type of weapon. After that box we moved up to 22LR, at 20 feet, she placed every single shot in the chest area except one. The loner as in the left shoulder.

We stopped by the gun case and let her handle a S&W 642 in 38 SPL., which she liked. Zoweeee. I must be livin' right.

I plan to step her up a little at a time. Next trip will be .22LR and 22 Mag. And then we'll get her into the .38 SPL.

This is really an important piece of my planning and even its starting to come together. Don't give up folks. If you have a significant other that just refuses to handle a weapon just keep talking about it from time to time. Keep the information in front of them and, if you can get them to a range, start with something small that isn't noisy and no recoil. That's why I went with the subsonic .22 as a first effort. No need to scare them the first time.

[Camp10]

Now when she says "Rick, take out the trash" you had better move!! Good for her!!

[Rick]

Oh, hardy har har. I'll have you know she already had me trained. So there.

[welderguy]

Picked up a 400 watt power inverter, first aid supplies, and two more hurricane lamps.

[rwc1969]

I had to take phys ed for my degree. So, I started working out again. I had no idea just how bad outta shape I am, upper body and endurance wise.

When i was 15 i could do push ups non stop and never tire. I sometimes did over 1000 a day, 300 or so at a time. Now, I'm barely able to pull off ten without getting winded. Just 2 or 3 years ago i could jog non stop for a few miles. I'd be tuckered, but I could do it.

Now, after having two surgeries that laid me up a bit and being unemployed I must have let myself go without realizing it. I can hardly jog a mile without almost turning blue and feeling like my hearts gonna burst. It's embarrasing to admit, but something I now know I need to work on. And I think it's a big part of being prepared.

[Rick]

I sometimes did over 1000 a day

That, sir, that is just wrong.

[aflineman]

Moved my garden plot to a different spot. Last year it got to much noon sun, and only the tomatoes did well. We shall see how this spot does, later in the year.

[Durtyoleman]

Bought some seeds. Tobacco,veggies and greens. And a corn wheat grinder.
(coffee beans next on grow list)
D.O.M.

[mcgyver]

Oh, just used my high tech wood splitter to split and stack another cord.
Keeps me warm in more ways than one.

[Boker]

I bought 2 more 20 Gallon jugs of propane off of craigslist for about 60% of new.

[oldsoldier]

Ordered a 3 month supply for two people of mountian house dehyds in the #10 cans (20+ year shelf life) bought another 1,000 rounds of .22 ammo and 200 rounds of 30.06 ammo. I've been a little lazy on my preps lately so time to play catch up.

[NCO]

Tech preparing. For the possible Microsoft collapse, or something...
So, I finally gave up with Microsoft operating systems on all computers. Running on Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" now... Finally free!

[Rick]

Microsoft collapse. Now that right there is funny I don't care who you are. That's probably what the Mayans were trying to warn us about. 2012 is the year Microsoft implodes. Too funny.

[NCO]

I was hoping that would amuse someone...:D

[crashdive123]

Rick is easily amused.:innocent:

[NCO]

"Hullulla on halvat huvit."
-anon

:D

[crashdive123]

"Hullulla on halvat huvit."
-anon

:D

Cheap - yes, but crazy?

[Rick]

I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying every minute of it.

[NCO]

Just a figure of speech... hullu=crazy/funny/weird/simple/etc.

[welderguy]

Ive done a lot of lists and organizing files and more lists, I now have a check list for dang near everything up to and including a check list for my check list. Im reallllllly board.

[Rick]

He also practiced his soft falls and his medical training. Oh, and groaning.

[welderguy]

Rick your slipping up you forgot ranting too

[Rick]

.....and ranting.

[linkmissing]

canned some butter, dehydrated blackberries, grapefruit, peas, carrots, bought some lamp wicks, another mag firestarter

[Winnie]

canned some butter, dehydrated blackberries, grapefruit, peas, carrots, bought some lamp wicks, another mag firestarter

How do you can butter? I've heard of this before, but not how to do it. Can you expalian please?:)

[Rick]

Picked up six (6) 3 liter jugs for water, an 81mm ammo can for ammo storage and a NIB GI multi fuel stove with pots, tools and fuel bottle.

[Pal334]

How do you can butter? I've heard of this before, but not how to do it. Can you expalian please?:)

THis site was posted previously (when I don't recall) . It shows canned butter.

http://www.internet-grocer.net/butter.htm

[Batch]

How do you can butter? I've heard of this before, but not how to do it. Can you expalian please?:)


I think you can the butter after it has been drawn or clarified. You basically cook it until it boils getting rid of some water and also solids will separate and either sink to the bottom or be filtered out. You can go even further and you'll end up with ghee. If you can butter it will last a long time. But, if you take it to ghee it should keep even longer or under less than ideal conditions. Some people make ghee for a trail butter and just carry it in containers in their pack.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2553427/ghee_a_step_beyond_clarified_and_drawn.html

[Rick]

And have the canned Red Feather butter and it's just fine. Tastes like butter.

[Trabitha]

Got my first knife! Nothing really big or fancy, but it works for what I will need it to work for! Beats the heck out of a pocket knife. I always pinch myself with those darn things!

[welderguy]

Got my first knife! Nothing really big or fancy, but it works for what I will need it to work for! Beats the heck out of a pocket knife. I always pinch myself with those darn things!

Welcome to the wonderful would of KNIVES its a bad sickness once you start buying them you keep buying them. just remember to keep it sharp always.

[Trabitha]

Welcome to the wonderful would of KNIVES its a bad sickness once you start buying them you keep buying them. just remember to keep it sharp always.

That's what my husband tells me. He still has his knife that he was issued when he was in the military...and the damn thing is so sharp I'm worried about touching it! LOL!
We just got a really great pocket sized sharpener the other day too. It will not only work on the knives, but it has an attachment that can be used to sharpen the saw part of my Gerber Axe while we're out and about.
That should come in handy. ;)

[crashdive123]

Well???? What knife did you get, and where are the pictures?:tongue_smilie:

[Trabitha]

Guess that's kind of important! LOL!! It's just a little Buck Ridge Hunting/skinning knife. :D
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c179/Trabby/881g.jpg

[crashdive123]

Nice looking knife.

[Batch]

That's what my husband tells me. He still has his knife that he was issued when he was in the military...and the damn thing is so sharp I'm worried about touching it! LOL!
We just got a really great pocket sized sharpener the other day too. It will not only work on the knives, but it has an attachment that can be used to sharpen the saw part of my Gerber Axe while we're out and about.
That should come in handy. ;)


Your Gerber Axe has a saw on it?

[crashdive123]

Your Gerber Axe has a saw on it?

Probably one of these.

http://media.rei.com/media/568646.jpg

[welderguy]

Trabitha , I like the scales on the knife , Nice looking knife all around.

[Rick]

Very nice looking knife. Congrats!!

Hi, I'm Trabitha. I'm a knifeaholic.
(everyone in unison) Hi Trabitha...

[Trabitha]

Probably one of these.

http://media.rei.com/media/568646.jpg

Yep!! That's my axe! LOVE it too. It's not too heavy, and only takes up the same amount of space as a normal axe...but I have the saw for things that I can't chop. It was a GREAT investment.

It's really balanced, Welderguy. I think that's what I like about it best. I'm a housewife...I needed to have something that was similar to what I use in the kitchen, because honestly that's all I'm used to at this point. I'm sure that as I get used to handling a knife outside of cooking I will branch out to more things. This one has a nice weight, great balance, and has the blunt top, just in case I need to push with my thumb. I figure I can use it for a lot outside of the house. ;)

Ha-ha, Rick! I hope not! I don't think I can afford ANOTHER hobby that has the potential of getting expensive! LOL!

[Batch]

I have the same axe with a slightly different saw.

I beat the hell out of that axe. Batoning and chopping my way through all different types of wood all the time and I haven't even put a lasting ding in the handle.

I saw the combo with the knife. But, I never saw the saw. Pun unintended.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/bigcypress/P2120255.jpg

[Batch]

Very nice looking knife. Congrats!!

Hi, I'm Trabitha. I'm a knifeaholic.
(everyone in unison) Hi Trabitha...

Hi Tabitha. LOL

It is useless to resist... :online2long:

[Trabitha]

I have the same axe with a slightly different saw.

I beat the hell out of that axe. Batoning and chopping my way through all different types of wood all the time and I haven't even put a lasting ding in the handle.

I saw the combo with the knife. But, I never saw the saw. Pun unintended.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/bigcypress/P2120255.jpg

Very cool! I was going to have the same combo...but my issue is weight. I'm not a big person, my husband has been injured for quite a while and can't carry TOO much weight, and my son is only 11. My compromise was that everything in my pack MUST have more than one duty. I've even cut out the military style shovel and plan to order that trowel on Ricks site. (VERY cool trowel, Rick!)
If I can't do more than one thing with it, I have to keep looking. I save space and money this way though, so the time i put in on my search isn't too bad.