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Joining a Survival Group – It Takes a Village

Posted on May 11, 2016 at 4:28 pm.

In This Article

What is a Survival Group?
Finding Potential Members
Group Meetings and Activities
The Group’s Role in a Crisis
About The Author:
Role Players

Maybe Hollywood is to blame. Or perhaps the fault lies with novelists. Whether as a result of watching one too many movies or reading one too many books, the fact is that there are a whole lot of “survivalists” out there with a distinctly skewed sense of reality. I call it “Lone Wolf Syndrome.” This mentality or mindset in which the hero (and aren’t we all heroes in the story that plays out in our imaginations?) sets out all by himself to make his way through the blasted lands or the vast, impenetrable forests that have reclaimed the country after a great disaster.

Of course, the hero isn’t always alone. Here and there, he inevitably rescues one or another damsel in distress, unfailingly a lovely young lass who is all too willing to reward the hero for his trouble.

Reality, however, rarely mirrors fiction. Out here in the real world, the vast majority of these lone wolves aren’t going to make it — not in the long run. Planning to go it solo in the long term is planning to fail. A far better plan is to look at forming or joining a survival group.

What is a Survival Group?

By the simplest definition, a survival group is a collection of individuals who have agreed to work together for the common good before, during, and after a disaster. You’ve no doubt heard the common mantra that many hands make light work, right? That’s the basic concept here. The idea is to bring together people who have desirable skill sets and attributes so as to better provide for the needs of all involved.

If you’re alone, perhaps even if it’s just you and your immediate family, the fact is you can’t do it all yourself. You have to sleep sometime. You need to eat, which when we’re talking long-term prepping, will involve the production and preservation of food, not just consuming bags of freeze-dried mush. Water will need to be collected, filtered, and stored. Firewood cut and stacked.

Even if we take the long-term approach out of the equation for the moment, wouldn’t it be nice to know you have trusted folks who’ll always have your back? People who, when a storm drops a tree on your back porch, will show up with chainsaws, axes, and maybe a case or two of beer, without even being asked?

A survival group need not involve some sort of quasi-hippie commune out in the middle of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, forming an actual community on private land, complete with acres of gardens, solar power systems, and such isn’t a bad idea — provided the ultimate goal isn’t to just assemble a harem for the guys in charge. But, for most folks, having a small group of people who can get together for teaching opportunities, fellowship, and networking is going to be the primary focus.

Finding Potential Members

Some of us already have the beginnings of a decent group, though we might not recognize it right away. Do you have folks with whom you go hunting every year? How about an existing neighborhood watch group? Or members of your church? Most of us have at least a couple of close friends or family members whom we’d love to have involved in a survival group.

To expand beyond the people already in your life, give thought as to where preppers are likely to hang out. Like your mother told you years ago, you probably aren’t going to find a good mate in a tavern, right? The same basic premise applies here. Start visiting local places where preppers are likely to be found, such as farmers markets and gun ranges. Get to know the regulars, and let them get to know you a bit. Over time, you’ll learn who might be most interested in a survival group; perhaps you’ll even find out about one that has already formed.

Another option is to look online. Meetup.com can be a great resource, as there are tons of prepper groups already up and running across the country. Do a search for existing groups in your area and consider checking out a meeting or two. Same thing goes for www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net, which maintains a huge message board with sub-forums devoted to every state in the country. SurvivalistBoards.com is a similar message board. Facebook also has a huge number of survival and prepper groups, filled with users who are hoping to network with others of like mind. Sites like these can be great resources for locating folks in your general area, if not immediately next door.

One word of caution, though. Unless you’ve already known the person for years, keep them at somewhat of a distance until you feel absolutely comfortable with them, and you’ve had an opportunity to check them out. In other words, don’t invite them over for a guided tour of your preps the first time you meet them. Most legitimate folks will feel the same way and won’t be intrusive.

Group Meetings and Activities

Once you have the foundation of a survival group, the next step is to start getting together on a regular basis. Many groups strive for monthly meetings at a minimum. This usually works well, as long as members know well in advance the date and location of the meetings so they can plan ahead. Smaller groups, say less than five or seven members, might get together a bit more often, if only because these mini-groups are typically comprised of strictly family or very close friends.

Unless all members of the group are extremely tight with one another, the meeting location should probably be somewhat public. Most public libraries have at least one meeting room that is available for community members, often for free. Other options include coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.

Some groups schedule activities or training for almost every meeting. One month, they might bring in a trainer from the Red Cross to teach CPR. Next month, they’ll meet at a local shooting range to allow members to swap and test out different firearms. Another meeting could be at a park where one of the members will teach different ways to light a fire.

What seems to work very well is to have one or two members in charge of lining up the different activities. Granted, that makes for a lot of extra work for those members, but in return, perhaps if there are small fees involved for training sessions, the other group members agree to pay for the ones who organized the event.

Many groups have regular show-and-tell meetings, where they bring in their bug-out bags, their favorite knives, or maybe a few selections from their personal libraries. Another popular idea is to hold regular swap meets among the members.

Some groups routinely coordinate on shared purchases, such as several members chipping in to buy a butchered cow or pig, dividing up the meat amongst one another. This sort of group buying power can be very handy to use at warehouse stores as well.

One key element common to all successful groups is organization. Each and every meeting needs to be scheduled in advance, with the meeting topic, activity, or theme communicated to all members. Failing to do so invariably ends up with a poorly attended meeting, with those present staring at one another and wondering just how soon they can leave without being rude.

Keep in mind, too, that while training and activities are fun and educational, the ultimate goal is really for the members to bond with one another. The idea behind a survival group isn’t just to have a group of people who have similar goals who get together once in a while, but to have folks who can rely upon one another in a crisis.

The Group’s Role in a Crisis

Ideally, the group will develop some means of rapid communication with one another should a disaster strike or be imminent. This could be as simple as an old-fashioned phone tree or perhaps a mass text message sent out as needed. The goal is to have a way to get information out to all members as quickly and reliably as possible.

Depending upon the nature of the disaster, the group might plan to get together at a single location, such as at property owned by one or more group members where supplies have been staged for just such an event. Alternatively, the members might shelter in place at their homes, with the understanding or agreement that they check in with one another regularly. If a member fails to check in as scheduled, others can go to their location to check on their welfare.

Looking at a potential long-term event, such as a total grid-down scenario, the members can work together to provide food, shelter, security, and other needs for one another. While this might work best if all group members can relocate to a central location, it’s still feasible if they live in relatively close proximity to one another.

There are many so-called experts infected with the Lone Wolf Syndrome who suggest it’s entirely feasible to survive all on their own out in the wild using nothing but their wits and a bug-out bag. The sad reality is that if an event were to take place — sufficient in scope to necessitate these folks to implement those plans — within just a few weeks the wilderness would be littered with corpses carrying backpacks. Yes, there are people out there who truly possess the skills necessary to survive by living off the land for a lengthy period of time. But they’ll be the first to admit that it’s nowhere near an easy, or a desirable, existence.

A far better course of action is to make plans now to form or join a survival group. Be one of the many hands making light work for all involved rather than struggling to stay awake as the mutant zombie bikers circle ever closer to your debris hut.

About The Author:

Jim Cobb is a recognized authority on disaster preparedness. He has studied, practiced, and taught survival strategies for about 30 years. Today, he resides in the upper Midwest with his beautiful and patient wife and their three adolescent weapons of mass destruction. His books include Prepper’s Home Defense, Countdown to Preparedness, and Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide. Jim’s primary home online is www.survivalweekly.com. He is also active on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimcobbsurvival. Jim offers a consulting service as well as educational opportunities at www.disasterprepconsultants.com.

Role Players

Initially, a survival group might not have a wide range of choices as to which skillsets or personality traits are represented by its members. However, as the time goes on, there are several roles that are necessary for a well-rounded group, one best suited to withstand a major event. As the group matures, the members should actively seek out individuals who can fill these roles or allow people with innate qualities to naturally grow into them.

Bear in mind that group members should be cross-trained in more than one of these roles, as versatility and adaptability are key components to thriving in adversity. For example, what if injury (or even death) takes out the best hunter in your crew, or your group gets separated in the chaos of a tornado? Consider the following nine roles and see which one(s) you might best fill and which ones need filling.

The Leader is the person who guides the group, makes the hard decisions, and keeps everyone together when times get tough. This particular role is unique among the others as it’s usually filled somewhat gradually and organically as the group develops. The group’s founder may not always be the best person suited to be leader. If that’s the case, hopefully the founder recognizes this fact early on. Leaders tend to be born with the ability to organize, delegate, and inspire through a combination of intelligence and charisma — whether they recognize it or not.

The Medic is the one who keeps everyone healthy. While survival groups often focus on how to prepare for extreme long-term events (thus the necessity of having someone who is well-versed in everything from battlefield surgery to herbal remedies), don’t overlook the possibility of the medical representative helping group members improve their health and well-being when times are still good. This could include helping members with setting up dietary changes as well as exercise plans.

The Organizer is the logistics person in the group. He or she keeps track of available resources and communicates this information to the group as needed. The organizer knows, for example, just how long the stored food will last the group at current consumption levels. Note that the organizer will need to be able to work hand in hand with the scout.

The Mediator is a role often overlooked in survival group planning, yet is crucial to a group’s success in the long run. People skills, such as conflict resolution and negotiation, may become just as important as food acquisition and security. Any group comprised of human beings is going to have internal conflict to one degree or another. That’s just the nature of the beast. The mediator helps everyone to get along by working to resolve arguments and conflicts as peaceably as possible. Keep in mind that interpersonal conflict within the group isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s how the conflict is resolved that is critically important. Conflict leads to change, which can be a great thing.

The Soldier is the member responsible for group security. This role is often the one fulfilled the quickest as the group forms, given how many preppers and survivalists have military or law enforcement backgrounds. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a group to initially consist of a whole bunch of soldiers, but not one organizer. This is one reason why cross-training is so important. It’s perfectly fine to have the entire group capable of soldier duties, but don’t overlook the other roles that are necessary for the group’s success.

The Provider is the group member who is well versed in hunting, fishing, and trapping. He or she has the knowledge, the equipment, and the experience to reliably bring home food to the group. A provider who is able to also forage wild edibles and medicinals would be ideal.

The Scout is not only intimately familiar with the area, but has a very good handle on where to locate resources as needs arise. This is the type of person who, when given a list of needed building materials, will know exactly where to look and how to obtain them. The scout is also the group member who will be in the best position to alert the group to threats that lay over the horizon, due to their frequent forays beyond the group’s immediate location.

The Gardener is the person responsible for growing the bulk of the food consumed by the group. He or she will know not only what types of plants grow best in the area, but how to organize gardens for the greatest success. They will also be able to reliably save seeds for the next growing season. Other members of the group may be needed for some of the labor involved with the crops (planting, weeding, harvesting). All group members should be taught the various means of food preservation as well, such as home canning and dehydration. Often, the gardener also gets involved with raising food animals, such as rabbits and chickens.

The Jack-of-All-Trades is the MacGyver of the group. Give them some PVC, duct tape, and maybe a couple of cinder blocks and they’ll come back with a water collection setup that will last for decades. He or she will work side by side with the organizer and the scout to keep abreast of needs and available supplies.

An excellent resource to help plan for these as well as additional roles within the group can be found on the 12 Survivors website at www.12survivors.com/archetypes.html.

Conflict Forge Bowie Knife

Posted on May 11, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

As much as we enjoy brand-new high-tech gear, there’s always a time and place for the classics. Handling vintage weaponry from bygone days reminds us of the hand-made quality and craftsmanship that still existed in the days long before CNC mills and laser cutters. When a tool is made by hand, it’s built to last.

The finished Rustick Knives Conflict Forge Bowie is a thing of beauty.

We mention this because we recently received an email from Rustick Knives, letting us know about a one-of-a-kind new project they’ve taken on. Jack Stottlemire has produced a blade he’s calling the Conflict Forge Bowie knife, and every inch of it is imbued with history. In fact, Jack’s apprentice Mike Baldwin tells us that “every piece has seen war”. Amazingly, the Conflict Forge knife is literally built from wartime artifacts.

The gun barrel, shell casing, and teak wood seen here were reborn as a blade.

First, the triple-layered San Mai blade was forge-welded from traditional 1095 steel, a nickel ribbon, and a GAU-19 .50-cal Gatling gun barrel. Jack writes, “Think of San Mai as a baloney sandwich on it’s side. Baloney (1095 steel) in the middle, nickel ribbon (mayonnaise), and gun barrel being the two slices of bread on the outside. If you look at the spine from the top, you can see all of the alloys stacked together.”

The brass guard and pommel were then formed from a single 105mm brass shell casing. Mike tells us this very casing was recovered from onboard an AC-130U that fired against ISIS forces in Iraq last year. Finally, the knife’s handle was carved from teak wood, which came from the deck of the WWII battleship USS North Carolina BB-55.

The San Mai blade shows three distinct layers of metal forge-welded together.

Unfortunately, this unique knife is not for sale—but there is some good news. The Conflict Forge will be auctioned through Uber Group at the Blade Show in Atlanta this June, and 100% of the auction’s proceeds will go to the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F) charity.

Also, if you want one of these blades as much as we do, there’s still hope. According to a post on the Rustick Knives Facebook page, Jack plans to make more Conflict Forge Bowie knives. He writes, “Look for more of these in different calibers. I just got a 20mm Vulcan barrel and may be getting a GAU-8 30mm from an A-10. A portion of each sale of one of these knives will always go to a Veteran charity.”

Handmade knives, built from historic materials, and used to help veterans—that’s a pretty badass trifecta. We can’t wait to check these out in person at Blade Show this year.

For some bonus content, see below another Conflict Forge blade Jack just finished. It’s a dagger, constructed of M134D Minigun barrels from Bco 1st BN 160th SOAR. These barrels were used in Afghanistan in an AH-6 Littlebird helicopter. Jack writes, “It too is a San Mai composition, but instead of a solid gun barrel cladding, the outer cladding is a 138-layer Damascus pattern made out of the gun barrel and 15N20, which is a carbon steel with nickel in it. This knife will be auctioned off to benefit the “Night Stalker Association”.”

Canada Wildfires Continue to Grow

Posted on May 10, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

For over a week, the Province of Alberta, Canada has experienced one of the most severe wildfires in the region’s history. The ongoing fire, which started on Sunday, May 1st, has grown rapidly over the last 9 days, now consuming over 600 square miles of land.

The cause of this blaze is unknown, but experts speculate it may have been as simple as a discarded cigarette or out-of-control campfire. Hot, dry conditions only served to accelerate the disaster, and officials have stated that even a drastic change in weather may fail to extinguish it naturally at this stage.

The city of Fort McMurray was one of the hardest hit, and the fire caused more than 100,000 residents to evacuate. It’s estimated that 1,600 homes and buildings have already been lost, and more damage is expected as the fire continues to burn. No deaths or injuries have been reported as a direct result of the fire, but two people have died in traffic accidents while evacuating.

Hundreds of Canadian firefighters have been bravely working around the clock to slow the blaze, using every tool in their arsenal. Nick Waddington, a captain of the Fort McMurray Fire Department, told the BBC that one of his crew members watched his house burn down just before going on to work an 18-hour shift.

Canadian troops have also been deployed to deliver emergency food and medicine to those in need. Recently, Russia has offered aid in the form of water-bomber airplanes and fire-fighting personnel. However, diplomatic tensions have caused the Canadian government to hesitate to accept this proposal.

Although the Canada wildfires have continued to grow, and may continue burning for months, the advance of the blaze has been slowed. This is thanks to hardworking firefighters, as well as cooler and more humid weather. Estimates predicted the fire would grow to over 700 square miles, but it has reached approximately 621 square miles according to recent reports.

MT Camera Mounts for Extreme Conditions

Posted on May 9, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

If you’ve spent time browsing through survival- and preparedness-related videos on YouTube, you’ll inevitably realize one thing: there are millions upon millions of these videos on the Internet. These days, high-definition cameras can be found just about everywhere—cell phones, motorcycle helmets, car dashboards, and firearm picatinny rails, among other places. The proliferation of compact, inexpensive, and durable cameras makes it easier to film your adventures, and to share them with the world.

If a camera mount can handle falling out of an airplane at terminal velocity, we’d say it’s pretty solid.

However, for hard-use outdoor scenarios, the camera mount you choose can be just as important as the camera itself. If you’re filming yourself kayaking through some rapids, and your suction cup mount fails, your nice camera (and all its footage) could be lost forever. Even if you’re simply recording a day hike, it can be frustrating to deal with a camera mount that keeps slipping, coming loose, or bouncing around as you walk.

Modern Technocracy mounts are designed for a variety of recording devices and attachment styles.

Fortunately for guys like us, the team at Modern Technocracy has produced a solution. Their new MT camera mounts are tailored to those who love the outdoors, as well as extreme sports athletes who really push the limits of camera equipment. In fact, these mounts were developed with the help of more than a dozen prolific GoPro athletes: Aaron Chase, Ben Brown, Bo Bridges, Bucky Lasek, Damien LeRoy, Harley Ingleby, Jamie Sterling, Jeb Corliss, Julian Carr, Mitch Bergsma, Shon Bollock, Sunny Garcia and Reno Makani.

If you've watched the X-Games, you'll probably recognize guys like Bucky Lasek.

If you’re a fan of surfing, skateboarding, or other extreme sports, you’ll probably recognize several of...

With the help of these individuals, MT has created a lineup of professional-grade mounts with some very clever patented features. They’re universal and modular, so you can swap out a GoPro for a cell phone in seconds, all while using the same mount. Also, these mounts use high-strength aluminum and carbon fiber, and lock down tightly to maintain fixed camera angles.

Modern Technocracy has now started a crowdfunding campaign to support the launch of these new MT camera mounts. If you enjoy filming with a cell phone, GoPro, or action cam, we’d encourage you to check it out—purchasing mounts through the crowdfunding campaign will also get you a considerable discount off the MSRP.

To read more about MT’s new product lineup, click here for a PDF catalog.

Regardless, as outdoor photographers, we always like to see gear being developed that can take as much abuse as our cameras inevitably do. Whether you’re talking about camera equipment or survival gear, it’s no good to anyone if it’s broken.

Review: Cold Steel Survival Edge Knife

Posted on May 8, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

Cold Steel Survival Edge
Specifications and Features
Our Impressions of the Survival Edge
Conclusions

Ask ten people what makes a “perfect survival knife”, and you’ll get ten very different answers. Of course, there’s a general consensus that a survival knife should be sharp, versatile, and above all, strong enough to endure years of hard use.

Beyond these basic qualities, however, you’ll find many varying personal preferences. Some guys like huge, heavy knives that can break down firewood with the power of an axe. Other guys prefer long, thin blades like machetes or parangs for slashing through undergrowth. Then you’ve got the smaller and more traditional fixed blades, ranging from full-tang combat knives to compact and lightweight blades.

Cold Steel Survival Edge

The new Cold Steel Survival Edge is an affordable fixed-blade survival knife.

As with any survival tool, the middle ground is usually a good place to be. Our general recommended qualities for a good all-around survival knife would be as follows:

4 to 7 inch fixed blade (length depends on your location and needs)
No-frills drop point or clip point blade design
Durable steel that takes a razor-sharp edge, and can be maintained easily in the field
Sturdy handle that provides a secure grip, even in wet conditions
Tough and comfortable sheath

If you find a knife that fits these 5 key requirements, you’ve probably got a pretty good survival blade.

Cold Steel Survival Edge knife review 05

The Survival Edge comes with a ferrocerium rod, which can be drawn along the blade’s spine to start fires.

Cold Steel recently released an all-new knife, known as the Survival Edge. It appears to meet every one of our general goals—better yet, it only costs $35. The Survival Edge even includes a ferro rod fire steel, ambidextrous Secure-Ex sheath, and has a hollow handle for storing survival gear.

As much as we love testing $200-$300 knives, we also recognize not everyone can afford them, or needs to spend that much. Then again, we often say “you get what you pay for”. We wanted to find out if this Cold Steel Survival Edge really provides great bang for the buck, or if it’s worth spending a little extra for a different model, so we picked one up to test and review. Read on to hear our thoughts.

Specifications and Features

The Survival Edge is available from Cold Steel in either black or orange. Aside from the color of the handle, both are identical in every other way, and both are sold at an MSRP of $35.

At the business end of this knife, you’ll find a clip point blade that’s 5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) thick. Due to the hollow handle, the blade has a partial tang, meaning it extends only about 1.25 inches into the handle.

The Survival Edge’s blade is constructed of Krupp 4116 stainless steel, a material often found in high-end German chef’s knives. This material takes a razor edge, is easy to maintain, and offers very good corrosion resistance. It also features a strong double bevel, black “Survival Edge” logo, and a polished finish so shiny you can easily use it as a signal mirror.

As for the 4.25-inch handle, it’s molded from strong polypropylene plastic. A textured finish, double quillion guard, thumb ridges, and 5 rubber O-rings ensure your hand doesn’t slip. The ridged cap at the end of the handle unscrews to reveal a waterproof 3-inch by 1-inch round storage cavity.

The inside of each Survival Edge’s handle cavity includes a tightly-rolled package with the following supplies:

Fluid-filled button compass
Coil of brass snare wire
Metal survival whistle
Ceramic honing rod (to keep the blade sharp between uses)
Sewing kit with needle and 4 colors of thread
Spool of fishing line
6 barbed fish hooks
6 fishing sinker weights

Surprisingly, all of these items fit into the handle with room to spare. Alternatively, a mini Bic lighter, small flashlight, can opener, spare batteries, matches, or a number of other devices can fit into the handle.

The hard Secure-Ex sheath is fully ambidextrous, accepting the knife with its blade facing either direction. This sheath also offers a slot for the included ferro rod fire steel, and a clip that can accommodate up to a 2-inch belt. It also includes a lanyard hole, should you want to wear the knife on some paracord around your neck.

With the sheath, fire steel, and all the supplies in the handle, this knife only weighs 5.7 ounces. That’s practically featherweight for a knife of this size, meaning that this blade won’t weigh down your pack and tire you out on long hikes.

Our Impressions of the Survival Edge

Before we say anything else, we’ll let you watch this video from Cold Steel. They really put this blade through the wringer:

While that video was impressive, it was also created by the marketing team at Cold Steel. So, to determine if the knife can actually stand up to real-world use, we decided to try it out ourselves. Although we didn’t attempt to bend it in a vise, we did use it as we would any of our other survival knives.

First, some thoughts on the sheath. We liked the ambidextrous design, and the fact that the blade and fire steel both lock securely in place with excellent retention. We had no concerns about either item falling out of the sheath, especially since the knife’s guard prevents removal of the fire steel unless the knife is drawn.

Upon pulling out the blade for the first time, we were surprised by how light it really is. On one hand, this makes the knife feel agile and easy to manipulate. On the other hand, some may find it off-putting or almost toy-like. Personally, we don’t mind that it’s light, as long as it’s also strong.

Speaking of strength, one of our biggest initial concerns was the fact that this knife is not full-tang. In other words, as we mentioned earlier, the blade only continues about 1.25 inches into the handle. However, this is not too uncommon for survival knives. Even the popular Swedish brand Mora has used a partial tang design successfully for over a decade.

At the end of the day, a partial tang design is a trade-off. It sacrifices the strength of a full-tang handle for reduced weight—and, in this case, a large storage cavity for supplies. The cavity also allows the knife to slide onto the end of a pole, and be used as a spear (as seen in Cold Steel’s video above).

Cold Steel Survival Edge knife review 13

Can the Survival Edge be used to baton firewood? Yes, it certainly can.

To test the actual strength of the Survival Edge, we used it to baton some fire wood for our campfire. Pounding the knife blade-first into a large chunk of hard wood, chips and splinters flew, but the Cold Steel knife handled the task with ease. Even after splitting several large chunks, the blade remained sharp, and its edge showed no signs of damage or deformation.

Despite our initial concerns about its light weight and partial tang blade, the Survival Edge won us over with impressive durability. Even the handle is quite strong, alleviating our fears about the plastic construction. The only wear we noticed was some light scratching on the blade’s mirror finish, which is to be expected—it’s a survival knife, not a display piece.

The handle cavity is marketed as “waterproof”, but we found that to be inaccurate. After submerging the handle in a few inches of water for 30 seconds, water seeped into the cavity, dampening some paper we placed inside. While we would consider the handle water-resistant and splash-proof, it doesn’t appear to be truly waterproof.

The contents included in the handle are all useful, although we’d probably swap the whistle and sewing kit for some tinder material and water purification tablets. The Survival Edge’s ferro rod also worked well for starting our campfire, scattering white-hot sparks as we dragged it along the knife’s spine.

Conclusions

Overall, we were pleased with the performance of the Cold Steel Survival Edge. It’s light, strong, and includes the features you’d need to survive in the outdoors. And, since we’re always being asked to review more affordable gear, it’s a real bargain at the $35 MSRP. Better yet, we’ve seen it listed on Amazon.com for as little as $21.

However, there are a handful of small items we’d like to see added or improved. We wish the cap included an internal seal of some kind to remain truly waterproof, since soaking wet tinder won’t do you any good. Also, while the O-rings on the handle provide adequate grip, a full rubberized coating might help the ergonomics.

So, does the Cold Steel Survival Edge pass our survival knife test? Yes, we’d say it does. It’s not made of exotic steel or wrapped in rich Corinthian leather, but for a fraction of the price of one fancy $300 knife, you can own this simple and durable tool. Heck, with that kind of money, you could supply your whole family with these knives, and you’d probably even have cash left over.

The Survival Edge is a good knife on its own merits, but when you factor in the price, it becomes truly hard to beat.

For more information on this knife, visit ColdSteel.com.

DIY Bicycle Generator from Junkyard Parts

Posted on May 7, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Have you used an exercise bike, elliptical, or rowing machine recently? If so, you’ve probably noticed the machine’s electronics turn on only after you start moving. That’s because the exercise machine is converting your physical movements into electricity, and using this electricity to power the various screens and readouts on the device.

An exercise bike uses a dynamo to turn pedaling into electric current.

A modern exercise bike uses a dynamo to turn pedaling into electric current.

Now, as a survivalist, you may wonder if this electricity can be re-purposed to charge batteries or power your electronics off the grid. The answer is yes—and it’s surprisingly simple and inexpensive to do so with an exercise bike. It can even be accomplished using parts from a junkyard or yard sale, plus a few items from an auto parts store.

It may not look pretty, but it’ll help you stay physically fit and keep the lights on at night.

Here’s a basic rundown of the items you’ll need for a DIY bicycle generator:

Bicycle in decent working condition
Bicycle stand (or some wood, nuts, bolts, and screws to make one)
DC motor, such as one from an old treadmill or electric scooter
Chain, belt, or other method of coupling the bike’s pedal drive to the motor
Car battery charger, connected to the motor to regulate its charging current
Car battery, connected to the battery charger
Optional: AC inverter to connect electronics to your car battery
Optional: Zener diodes to prevent reverse current flow or accidentally overloading the battery charger

That may sound complicated, but it’s really not so bad. Here’s a video from The DIY World that shows how it works:

Here’s an alternate step-by-step guide from Instructables on how to build a bicycle generator.

There’s one caveat to all this, and that’s the fact that this setup isn’t very efficient. In other words, you’re not going to be producing an immense amount of electricity. Depending on your motor and how fast you’re pedaling, it may take up to 40 minutes to fully charge a smartphone, or up to 9 hours to recharge a car battery. If you’re able to pedal faster and output more amps of electrical current, these times can decrease.

Regardless, building a DIY bicycle generator helps you stay in shape (something that’s essential to survival) and also generates some useful electricity to recharge your electronics off the grid. That’s what we call killing two birds with one stone.

Looking Back: Scottish 16-Year-Old Lives Alone in the Wilderness

Posted on May 6, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

We encourage you to take a moment, and remember what you were like at age 16. If you were like us, you probably spent most of your time thinking about hanging out with friends, finishing homework, playing sports, learning to drive, and earning a little more independence. These are all normal activities for a high-school-aged teen. That’s why when we read an article from The Guardian about Zeki Basan, we recognized he’s definitely not an ordinary teenager.

Zeki lives by himself on the Isle of Skye, a rural 639-square-mile Scottish island with a population of just over 10,000. You may be thinking that living alone on this small island at age 16 is impressive, and we’d agree—but it gets even better.

The Viking Canal at Rubha an Dùnain, on the Isle of Skye. Source: Wikipedia

Zeki sleeps in a tipi in the middle of the wilderness, with an old canvas camp bed, some army blankets, and animal skins for protection from the elements. He washes clothes in the river, bakes his own bannock bread, and keeps a campfire burning for warmth. When he’s bored, he carves wood, tans animal hides, reads a book, or goes exploring.

Although he has a cell phone, Zeki only uses it every few weeks to catch up with his friends and family. He writes, “People ask if I miss the internet, but I never used to use it much, or watch television. I am sociable, but I have always enjoyed my own company.”

Here’s a video filmed and directed by Zeki about a trip he took to Yosemite, following the footsteps of the legendary outdoorsman John Muir.

However, Zeki isn’t skipping his education while living this unique lifestyle. Each weekday, he walks 30 minutes to attend West Highland College’s School of Adventure Studies. Along with his 12 classmates, he learns mountaineering, land navigation, kayaking, and other survival skills.

To learn more about Zeki Basan and his life alone in the wilderness, check out this article from The Guardian, or visit his profile on Cairngorms Nature.

Animated Tornado Probability Map

Posted on May 5, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Tornadoes pose a major threat throughout much of the continental U.S., especially in the region known as Tornado Alley. Most of us are aware that these midwest states—specifically Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota—are at a higher risk for this destructive weather phenomenon.

Tornado Alley is the meeting point of several major weather regions, causing increased storm activity.

However, the time of year also plays a major role in determining the frequency and severity of tornadoes. Studying both the peak geographic regions and the peak times of year can help us understand the risks of tornadoes, but combining these two data sets paints a much more cohesive picture.

A still image from the tornado map animation. See the link below for the animated version.

One Reddit user combined daily tornado risk data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center into an extremely informative 365-day animation. Whether you live in the epicenter of Tornado Alley, or you think you may travel there in the future, this animation provides useful info for preparation and survival.

Click here to view the animated tornado probability map.

Looking Back: Venezuela – A Nation On the Brink of Collapse

Posted on May 4, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

If you’ve ever wondered about what effects total economic collapse might have on a country in the 21st century, you need look no further than Venezuela. The 31 million residents of this South American country are currently suffering under an economy on the verge of collapse, with currency inflation forecasted to reach a staggering 720 percent this year (the highest in the world).

A chart comparing the actual value of the Venezuelan currency (red) to the claimed value (blue).

A chart comparing the actual value of the Venezuelan currency (red) to the government’s claimed value (blue).

Some experts are calling this a “man-made disaster”, as the country’s economy depends heavily on exporting petroleum. With crude oil prices falling, Venezuela’s economy has struggled tremendously. The problem has been exacerbated by natural issues, since a drought has left hydroelectric plants unable to produce electricity reliably, leading to blackouts and electricity rationing.

This, in turn, has contributed to a rising murder rate (now the world’s second highest per capita) and widespread looting and rioting throughout the country. Thousands of police and military personnel have been deployed to arrest protesters, and citizens have become increasingly angry with President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist administration. Due to budget cuts, Venezuela’s 2.5 million government employees are now only working two days a week.

Stores throughout the country have no food left on the shelves. Source: Wikipedia

On top of all this, rampant unemployment, low wages, and food shortages have left many families close to starvation. An article from Business Insider shows photographs of the meager contents of many Venezuelan refrigerators and pantries—sometimes little more than flour, rice, beans, cooking oil, and a handful of wilted vegetables. One resident told reporters, “We are eating badly… If you have the money, you can’t find the foods, and if you find you them, you do not have enough money.”

It’s currently unclear when the breaking point will be reached, but many experts predict a “total collapse of the economic system” in Venezuela is imminent. Some fear that this will lead to a military coup, or even all-out civil war.

Can a Bug-Out Canoe Be a Viable Transportation Alternative?

Posted on May 3, 2016 at 12:00 pm.

Written by Offgrid Staff

In This Article

Weighing Your Options
Gear 101
Bugging Out
Basecamp Basics
Conclusion
Top 5 Tips to Keep the Hair Side Up
Stay Dry
Tricked Out
More From Issue 11

New York City is home to approximately 8.5-million people. On any given day, the city has only a three-day food supply if the bridges and tunnels are cut off and resupply trucks are not able to get in. As history has shown, when crisis hits a city, people flee. For the surrounding suburbs, the strain on resources will prove unsustainable. Fortunately, urban crises have a finite life span and people will eventually return — but what can be done until then?

One option is to shelter in place and prepare for looting and civil unrest. Another option is leave the danger zone and return after things quiet down. Luckily for New Yorkers, just north of the Big Apple is the Adirondack State Park. It’s home to 6-million-square acres of rugged land, some of which is so remote that access is limited to those with watercraft and the skills to navigate its winding channels.

Here’s where the bug-out canoe comes into play. This scenario is not exclusive to the City that Never Sleeps. Metropolitans were established around major waterways, which can provide egress when streets and overland routes become chokepoints. From Puget Sound in Washington to the Okefenokee Swamp in Florida, there is a canoe bug-out location found in every state. If a bug-out is necessary, the panicked and unprepared will flood the roadways, turning freeways into parking lots. Preppers without off-road rigs might hit the backcountry on foot, but a more effective means of escaping with a larger load is by water.

Weighing Your Options

“But aren’t canoes too heavy and bulky for a SHTF scenario?” we hear you asking. Traditionally done with standard dual-capacity canoes, the carries and portages are often dreaded for good reason — hauling both a go-bag and a canoe can make overland travel painful and exhaustive. However, standard materials like canvas, leather, wool, and wood can be substituted with carbon fiber, Kevlar, sil-nylon, and Primaloft Insulation. And featherweight solo canoes — like the ones from Hornbeck Boats out of Olmsteadville, New York — allow you to cover a lot of ground, and water, with less effort.

Modern canoes are lightweight, making them practical for recreation and bugging out.

There’s a stereotype that people who paddle ultralight canoes are granola types who drive Subarus and eat vegan diets. But even the toughest, most-seasoned outdoor adventurer can appreciate how light this type of craft feels after a long carry. In fact, the British Special Air Service (SAS) have used small paddle-powered boats for warfare, and the portability and mobility of these solo canoes afford the user a level of stealth not found in other craft. The open design is an advantage over closed-cockpit boats providing easy entrance and exit in a hurry.

With a well-thought-out route, any prepper can tap into existing supply stores, cache critical equipment, and spend an indefinite amount of time afield.

Gear 101

Before setting off though, there are some basic items no boater should be without. In addition to the gear carried in the daypack to address camp needs, this supplemental gear weight can quickly add up. However, if one is willing to make a significant investment in a featherweight canoe, spending slightly more on a quality paddle, life jacket, and dry bags shouldn’t faze him too much.

Paddle: This style of canoe is best maneuvered with a double paddle (kayak paddle). At roughly $400, the Werner Paddles Kalliste is a top-of-the-line touring paddle. But, there is a distinct difference between using any heavy economy paddle compared to this ergonomic, all-day, double-bladed stick. For really tight channels, a single-bladed canoe paddle like the Werner Carbon Bandit will make propulsion easier than a double-blade that could snag on low-hanging branches.

Life Vest: The ultralight boater should seek out a quality personal flotation device (PFD). The common type II — nicknamed “Mae West” for the busty actress of the 1930s — can work as a floatation device, but it is generally blaze orange, making visual camouflage difficult. Plus, there are better options for form and function. The type II isn’t the best design for range of motion, and many modern life jackets, like those from Astral, are designed with canoers and kayakers in mind. Many are equipped with knife tabs and gear pockets for essential safety gear.

Water Bag: The canoe tripper should have a good supply of quality dry stuff sacks like those from Outdoor Research, as well as a water-resistant personal-security kit (filled with items for signaling, fire starting, etc.) within arm’s reach. The UST Micro Survival Kit is a good way to start as it comes with an Aloksak waterproof bag, and the whole kit can fit in a PFD pocket.

Old-School GPS: Last but not least, a topographical map should be carried in a Ziploc bag. This map should be treated with Thompson’s WaterSeal to provide an extra level of water resistance.

Bugging Out

When it’s go time, the outdoorsman should move quickly but deliberately to load his canoe atop his vehicle. The basic bug-out gear can be tucked inside the canoe in storage to prevent disorganization and unnecessary searching when time is critical. Should roadways be clogged and the designated put-in location be within reasonable and safe walking distance, it’s not infeasible to park a vehicle and hoof it with an ultralight canoe over the shoulder.

Do Your Research: Waiting until after aliens have invaded is not a good time to figure out where to hit the water. Examine your escape route by physically scouting it out. In general, boat ramp signs found from state to state will give you an idea as to where there’s a high amount of motorized boat traffic. These areas should be avoided. The ultralight boater can instead use any hiking trail that leads to water as his boat launch.

A good guide to canoeing in a given area will provide the macro details, while friendly discussions with locals encountered in country stores will fill in the minor details not found in print or online.

Entering the Water: Once at a convenient boat launch in a state or national park, the outdoorsman might have to sign in before traveling through the backcountry. Plenty of people “forget” to do this and don’t disclose their destination, the number in the float party, or their length of stay. The waterways will take the paddler through different areas of varied occupancy and traffic.

Canoe Camping: Some campsites are fed not only by the water, but also by roads that allow RVs and trailered campers. Other campsites are primitive with no running water, electricity, or facilities — these are generally marked with a yellow placard on a tree facing out from the water.

The resources in the campsites will vary depending on the amount of use it sees. Campsites nearest canoe trail junctions and not far from civilization will be picked over, but as the sites extend deeper into the wilderness, more branches within arm’s reach reappear, and signs of use are few and far between.

Clearing a Path: Speaking of branches and wood, to reduce your signature and presence in the park, a sturdy bow saw works more efficiently at creating less waste than a chopping tool like an axe or machete. If weight is a major concern, the saw blade can be carried on its own and a buck saw frame can be built off the land. If canoe camping is done in the late fall or early spring, a medium-sized axe will benefit the boater, providing the means to access the dry wood inside seemingly waterlogged firewood.

A reliable bow saw can help clear branches and gather firewood.

Basecamp Basics

In camp, a handful of dedicated kit items will make the extended stay more pleasant.

Shelter: A large area tarp, muted in color such as brown or gray that can blend into the foliage and rocks, makes shelter and living space an easy setup.

H20 Ways: A water-bottle purifier allows the boater to dip and drink on the go. In cooler weather, boiling in a wide-bottomed pot is the preferred means of water purification as ceramic-filter elements can freeze, causing micro cracks that render the filter useless.

Gone Fishing: A takedown ultralight spinning rod with a small tackle box packed with flies, jigs, spoons, and spinners will put fresh panfish (bream, rock bass, perch, etc.) on the dinner plate nightly. [Editor’s note: See “Teach a Man to Fish…” in our Summer 2014 issue and “Improvised Angling” in Issue 9 of OG for more ideas on how to catch dinner.]

Consider packing lightweight fishing gear with your bug-out canoe. You’ll thank us later when things get...

Spice It Up: Though not a life-saving tool, a recommended item is a spice kit to fight off food boredom. While the Adirondack Park, for example, is filled with wild edibles that can supplement the fish and fur food taken from the woods, a spice kit containing salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, and hot sauce (Sriracha all the way!) will take the bland out of your limited menu options.

Supply Runs: Since the canoes used for this ultralight bug-out are minimalist in size and carrying capacity, it will be necessary to resupply at some point. Look for roadside stores containing the basics for camp-like coffee, propane, insect repellent, canned goods, and camp provisions. Canoers generally stash their boats, securing them to docks with painter cords or pulling them on shore and out of sight.

Pre-Staged Cache: In an emergency, many of these stores will likely be emptied before you reach them. In the off season, these stores might not be open at all. However, if your bug-out plan is to canoe to a remote park, you should create and hide a sealed 5-gallon bucket cache of supplies well in advance. For example, flour, baking powder, and salt are all that are necessary to make backwoods bannock. These supplies and others deemed essential to long-term survival can be sealed, stored, and accessed when other gear known to the public has been depleted.

Conclusion

When crisis strikes and refugees are crowding the streets, the savvy ultralight paddler can escape quietly into the wilderness. The ultralight canoe provides sufficient storage for a bug-out kit and room for other gear acquired along the way. With steady paddling strokes, the ultralight canoe has almost no presence in the water with the exception of a few drips of water coming off the paddle on the recovery of each stroke.

As the city falls into chaos, the overwater route out of the city may be the best option to safety. With the right preparation, equipment, and mindset, the ultralight canoe could be the best bet to take you off the grid.

Top 5 Tips to Keep the Hair Side Up

1. Understand Primary/Secondary Stability
Boats have primary and secondary stability. Primary stability refers to the initial tendency of the boat to tip over when the boat is positioned upright in the water. Secondary stability is when a boat is riding on its side slightly and the tendency of it to continue over to capsizing or return upright. Many boats have “tippy” primary stability, but come into their own once they are on edge. This gives them a more responsive feel and improved handling.

2. Turn into Wakes/Waves
When paddling a small solo canoe, every ripple in the water is felt. While the solo canoe is extremely fast through the water, it can be compromised by big water. Whenever possible, the paddler should turn the boat perpendicular into the wake or waves encountered. The boat has a longer surface to address the wave/wake lengthwise than it does widthwise.

3. Trim and Balance Properly
Solo canoes range in size from 9 feet on up. Depending on the design, the paddler will sit somewhere in relation to the centerline of the boat. The further back from the center, the more the paddler will need to offset the balance in the water with extra weight up front toward the bow. This practice is called “trimming.” With proper trim and balancing the weight evenly between port and starboard, the boat will perform better in the water.

4. Avoid Overloading and Swamping
A properly loaded canoe should have no less than 3 inches of freeboard (the amount of space seen on the side of the canoe between the gunwales and waterline) visible. The more weight carried, the less performance a paddler can expect. Too much weight and the boat may swamp if overcome with a large wave or an accidental lean to one side.

5. Move Deliberately
Erratic movements and jerky-style paddling are leading causes of capsizing. Reaching over the side of a canoe, moving the center of balance too far to one side, will cause a boat to flip. Rushing paddling strokes and sweeps also leads to body movement inside the boat and creating instability. Moving deliberately, understanding the slower pace of a canoe, and staying calm will keep a canoe upright.

Stay Dry

A personal dry bag containing emergency essentials should always be carried close to hand while in a canoe or kayak. This bag may or may not be tethered to the paddler’s personal floatation device and should be compact and light enough not to affect the buoyancy of the life jacket or range of motion while paddling. The Outdoor Research 5L Lightweight Dry sack is an ideal size and has sufficient water resistance for this application. The contents of the kit should be determined by purpose and reality.

Capsizing is a real threat to the open boater. Inside the personal dry bag, the paddler should carry an immersion kit. This kit should include various fire-starters that are easy to use with cold hands, as well as a flame source such as tinder or a candle. The open flame paired with a reflective blanket to trap heat will help mitigate the effects of hypothermia. These items should have priority placement at the top of the dry bag for immediate access.

A quality water-resistant white-light emitting flashlight should be carried. At night, this will prove useful for obvious navigation, but also to alert larger boats, should they be encountered, of your presence. Signaling devices such as a floating mirror and whistle should accompany this light for daytime use.

Miscellaneous items including a small roll or card of duct tape, spare cordage, high-calorie energy bars, and minor first-aid items should take up some of the extra space in this bag. The rest of the space should contain a spare key for your vehicle, your identification, wallet, and everyday-carry items.

Tricked Out

The author’s bug-out canoe of choice is the New Tricks from Hornbeck Boats — a family owned company that’s been building boats in Olmstedville, New York, for more than 40 years.

Make & Model: Hornbeck Boats, New Tricks
Weight: 15 pounds
Length: 12 feet
Beam: 24.5 inches
Profile: Mid
Materials: Carbon/Kevlar construction with rot-resistant Pennsylvania cherry wood trim
Features: Polyethylene foam seat, custom-installed adjustable aluminum foot braces
MSRP: $1,695
URL: www.hornbeckboats.com

More From Issue 11

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 12

Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original print version for the web.