A few weeks ago, I decided to try a new method of starting fires. After some research I chose Super Cedar Firestarters because they appeared to have a lot of good attributes.
Category Archives: Products
Product Review – Maglite Solitaire
Mag Instrument has been manufacturing high-quality flashlights in the USA since 1979 and have a wide range of products. They started manufacturing the Maglite Solitaire keychain light back in 1988 and its been very popular. I’ve owned a couple myself and thought a review would be in order. Continue reading
Product Review – UCO Stormproof Match Kit
Fire is an important tool in both recreational and disaster situations. There are many ways to start a fire but one of the easiest is with a match. Regular matches work fine most of the time but if conditions are wet, rainy, cold, or windy, these won’t work well. That’s why I recommend multiple sets of stormproof matches for anybody who wishes to be better prepared. Continue reading
Hardening Your Home – Door Jambs
Believe it or not, most criminals break in to homes through the front door. The reason is most residential doors aren’t strong enough to resist an attack. The door jamb usually lacks the reinforcement necessary to resist a strong kick from a criminal. This means even if you lock your doors, your home and family still aren’t safe from a determined onslaught.
Two weeks ago, I decided to do something about this by installing EZ Armor on both my front door and my garage door. I’d spent some time researching these types of products and found that this particular product was the best one available for my house. EZ Armor comes in a kit that reinforces the door jamp, hinges, and locks with powder-coated metal plates. These are mounted with long screws that go into the frame of the house, which further reinforces the door. Watch this video and see for yourself.
I liked it so much I decided to post a link on my website so visitors can order it. If you have some time, check out the manufacturer’s website for more information too. Its a great product from a company with a compelling story to tell so give it a look.
The last thing to keep in mind is that effectively hardening your home is multi-layered and has redundancy built in. In upcoming posts in this series, I will mention how important locks, security systems, and lights are to your home’s security in addition to reinforcing the door jambs. While there isn’t a single “magic bullet” that will make your house safe, there are several steps security-minded homeowners can take that will make their domiciles more resistant to home invasion.
Click here to purchase EZ Armor for your home
Book Review: Prepper’s Instruction Manual
In between traveling and work, I’ve made time to do some more reading. Last month, I reviewed The Prepper’s Pocket Guide and encouraged everybody who didn’t already have a copy to buy it. This month, I had a chance to read an even more in-depth book on the subject and will encourage everybody to pick up a copy as well.
The Prepper’s Instruction Manual covers a lot of material but focuses on fewer subjects. The result is more detailed and in-depth information that can be used to become better prepared. I really liked this book and thought it struck a good compromise between being thorough detailed on the subject matter yet broad enough to cover a wide range of preparation-related subjects. The result is an advanced-beginner to intermediate-level book on the subject.
The author is a NASA Engineer and has thoroughly researched the subjects he covers in his book. Like me (and you?) he is a normal person who lives in the real world, not one who lives “off the grid” on some remote retreat in the forest. That said, he isn’t afraid to tackle some serious subjects (ex. burying dead bodies) in his book. The writing makes it easy to read and the chapters are short and sweet. This book is worth the time and money.
So if you have a few spare dollars, buy a copy and start reading.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Click here to buy the Prepper’s Instruction Manual
Book Review: The Prepper’s Pocket Guide
For the last several months, I haven’t done much reading other than reading various websites and occasional magazine articles. However, I did have a chance to purchase and read The Prepper’s Pocket Guide recently and decided to share my thoughts on it. After all, there are many sources of information out there and sometimes it can be a real challenge determining which ones are worth your time.
This one is worth your time, especially if you are new to preparation.
The book has a lot of good information and is very easy to read. Bernie Carr is a technical writer and she does a good job of clearly explaining how to prepare for many different scenarios. I was able to get through it in three days so it won’t take up too much of your time.
However, because it is so light and easy to read, the book sometimes only touches on some topics. This leaves the reader wanting to learn more and get more specific information on what to do. Generally, the content is light fare and doesn’t deal with many of the harsher realities (ex. armed and unarmed confrontations) that accompany many disasters. Given the range of topics though (101), this is understandable given the limited number of pages and small book format.
So get this book, read it, and start applying the knowledge you gain from it. The Prepper’s Pocket Guide represents a starting point in your journey towards greater preparation, don’t consider it to be the definitive or ultimate guide in that regard. For less than $15, its a great investment that will help you now and in the future.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Click here to purchase The Prepper’s Pocket Guide
Product Review – Pelican PM6 3330
Its small, light, bright, durable, and field-tested…the Pelican PM6 3330 is a VERY impressive LED flashlight.
Pelican PM6 3330 LED Flashlight
This flashlight packs a lot of punch and functionality into a package that’s perfect in many applications. Mine is clipped to the outside of my Go Bag but I’m going to buy another couple for other kits. The thing I love about this flashlight is it is bright and uses a button to control the light.
Why is this so important?
Sometimes, you need to use a light to signal in an emergency situation (S-O-S) and having a one-handed tail switch that allows the operator to choose between constant light or momentary flashes is an important feature. Perhaps that is why Pelican is used by the military units and police departments around the world.
Another great aspect of this flashlight is the material its made of. The unit is made out of Xenoy polymer that is durable, water-resistant, and heat-resistant. Its also easy to handle because it does not get slippery when wet! The PM6 3330 uses CR123 Lithium batteries too, which means greater performance and brighter light than flashlights that use regular alkaline batteries. It has a 40 hour run time too, so it will be able to offer a lot of performance for an extended period of time.
Oh and it is bright!
Last and not least, its another fine Made in the USA product. It incorporates innovation, quality, and great design in a useful tool that everybody needs. I have one, I use it, and I recommend it so get one next time you are looking for a flashlight.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Click here to purchase a Pelican PM6 3330 LED Flashlight, Black
Product Review – Victorinox Tourist
Hopefully you already have a tool like the Victorinox Tourist Swiss Army Knife.
Victorinox Tourist Pocket Knife
I have owned and used one for a LONG time. Its been on many trips with me both in the US and overseas because it is small and useful. In fact, mine is usually in my Camelback so I have it when I go hiking, biking, or camping. I think its a great model that is just the right size for most people. Some multi-tools and Swiss Army Knives are too big and bulky to be of much use, this one however is just right.
There is a downside though. The tools are sometimes hard to open, especially as the tool gets older and the pieces holding it all together get worn. I’ve actually cut myself a few times with this knife because of the way the open/close mechanism works. This has never happened with the Leatherman tools I own, largely because they use a different, more modern design. Its something to be aware of and certainly not a show-stopper though.
In my experience, I mostly use the large blade and the bottle opener. Surprisingly, I have used the toothpick a fair amount too when I am camping. Some of my mountain biking friends carry tweezers in their pockets in case they get stuck with a cactus while riding. Mine has the tweezers built in and fortunately I have never had to us it to pick thorns out of my body. The corkscrew is handy as well, not as good as a real one but when you are on a picnic with your lady it will do just fine.
Very good but not great, yet for around $30 its worth buying because it packs a lot of tools in a sleek package that travels well. Guess that’s why they named it the “Tourist.”
Overall Rating: 7/10
Click here to purchase a Victorinox Swiss Army Tourist Pocket Knife
Product Review – Leatherman Micra
This is the little tool that could…and does.
Leatherman Micra®
I’ve owned a Leatherman Micra for many years and LOVE it. Its a great tool that packs a lot of functionality into a small package that you can take anywhere. The manufacturer puts it in their “Keychain” category of multi-tools but it is at home in your pack, purse, desk drawer, tool chest, or anywhere else you need a small, versatile tool. If you are looking to buy your first small multi-tool, this is the one to start with.
Most of the time, my Micra® is in the desk drawer of my office because I use it to open packages a lot. The scissors get a lot of use and about the only bad thing I have to say about mine is that the blades have been pitted over the years. I don’t know if that’s because of the metal they use but its the only fault I have identified in this tool. Its held up remarkably well over the years even though the outside case bears a lot of scratches and some wear marks. I’m going to get the scissors fixed and pick up one or two more to have around. For a small multi-tool, you can’t go wrong with a Micra®.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Click here to order a Leatherman Micra Multi-tool
Product Review – Buck 759
Even though I am not Mr. Fix-It or a Bear Grylls wannabe, I like having various knives and multi-tools around. Depending upon the activity, I may have a couple in my pack or on my key-chain. In fact, I have owned a Buck 759 (Whittaker 759T to be exact) for several years that looks just like this one.
Buck Whittaker 759T
Its a well-made tool that fits easily into your pocket or pack. This particular knife doesn’t have any edges that will get caught and its shape works well on a key ring too. The blade is small and stubby, however its adequate for small cutting jobs where a long knife isn’t necessary. However, what I use it for the most is opening beer bottles while camping. The bottle-opener is very strong and durable, you won’t have to worry about bending it.
That said though, this is more of a vanity knife/tool for me than anything else. More often than not, I either use my Leatherman Micra or a Swiss Army knife when I’m out on the trail because those tools can do a lot more. The limited functionality of the Buck 759 series is what makes it more of a curiosity than a regular contributor. Don’t get me wrong, I really like mine but also realize that there are better and more useful tools that you should buy before this one.
One discovery I recently made is that Buck makes a never version of this knife called the Metro™. Its a few dollars more expensive than my version but the Metro™ is Made in the USA whereas mine was produced in Taiwan. While both are made by free people, its encouraging to see Buck bringing knife production back to America.
Overall Rating: 5/10
Click here to order the Buck 759 Metro, Blue
