Ramblings on S&P USB drives...

A great addition to your BOB is a USB flash drive. A flash drive allows you to carry copies of your personal documents, legal documents, insurance policies,photos, proof of identity, files, windows settings etc. So when you hafta leave dodge you will have digital proof of who you are, what you done, what you have and all sorts of other info.





I prefer the 'hardened' version by Corsair called the Survivor. Tough little Son of a gun and water resistant to deeper than you can swim ;)

With 4 GB of data protected by TrueCrypt I have pictures, .pdf and word documents at my disposal should I be stranded from home. Also my IE Favorites as well as email and snail mail addy's are on here so I can 'borrow' a computer and have access to my needs!





For work I also carry some free spyware/antivirus programs, Registry editor and network configuration utilities that my company does not/will not provide. These drives are not 'hardened' but work quite well for my needs. Add a few S&P .pdf's to read in my spare time and you have a bunch of info for your needs!

I encourage all of you to read Shane's Blog (good stuff) about listening to Katrina. Alot of my thoughts on this came from this Blog.

Shane suggests you convert these files to digital format and keep them with you in your BOB (his BOB has a laptop). I suggest you have several copies of this data and ENCRYPT it!!!

From Shane's Blog:



Letters, postcards, and other correspondence.

Data and files from your place of business, if allowed by company policy.

Digitized copies of video or sound recordings that cannot be replaced.

Digital address book. (Windows Address Book is actually portable. Search for .wab files.) You can print this out and have a hard copy in your BOB. If a digital address book doesn't work for you, then keep a good paper one.

Investment and retirement account information.

Information about other financial accounts.

Information regarding membership in clubs and organizations.

If it is important keep a copy of it!!!



Finally, I learned of this flashdrive from the Preparedness Podcast Folksin episode 9. Sounds pretty secure. They are pricey but sometimes your data is as well!


From Iron Key

Hardware Encryption
Your IronKey is literally packed with the latest and most secure encryption technologies, all enabled by the powerful onboard Cryptochip. Rather than employing "homegrown" cryptographic algorithms that have not undergone rigorous cryptoanalysis, IronKey follows industry best practices and uses only well-established and thoroughly tested cryptographic algorithms.

All of your data on the IronKey drive is encrypted in hardware using AES CBC-mode encryption.

Always-On Encryption
Because your IronKey implements data encryption in the hardware Cryptochip, all data written to your drive is always encrypted. There is no way to accidentally turn it off or for malware or criminals to disable it. Also, it runs many times faster than software encryption, especially when storing large files or using the on-board portable Firefox browser.

Encryption Keys
The encryption keys used to protect your data are generated in hardware by a FIPS 140-2 compliant True Random Number Generator on the IronKey Cryptochip. This ensures maximum protection via the encryption ciphers. The keys are generated in the Cryptochip when you initialize your IronKey, and they never leave the secure hardware to be placed in flash memory or on your computer.

Two-Factor Authentication
Beyond simply protecting the privacy of your data on the IronKey flash drive, the IronKey Cryptochip incorporates advanced Public Key Cryptography ciphers that allow you to lock down your online IronKey account. That way you must have your IronKey device, in addition to your password, to access your online account. This highly complex process runs behind the scenes, giving you state-of-the-art protection from phishers, hackers and other online threats.

Good stuff! Thanks for reading! 73

later,
ZA

Ramblings on addictions... your Achilles Heel WTSHTF

TS has finally hit the fan. You got your preps in order... or so you thought. You find out that you could not store enough whiskey/beer/cigarettes/snuff/coffee/etc. since you were too busy consuming it instead of squirreling it away.

There are no more beer runs, no stopping at the 7-11 to get a pack of smokes and no more liquor stores. What you got is what you got!!!

You can replace the whiskey if you could grow some corn and had a source of sugar, but maybe that would be better served by eating it???

You love your tobacco... do you have any tobacco seeds to grow your own in case RJR stops shipping Camel's??? What about a pipe or rolling paper???

What about coffee??? Do you need a gallon to function before anyone dare speaks to you??? Do you have a replacement (grow your own tea trees for caffiene)???

What about gluttony... do you eat what you need or eat what you want??? Better learn how to get by with what you need, because cold turkey (pun intened) isn't fun???

So what do you do about it???

Either store enough to last you until the situation ends or you die. Limit your consumption. Learn how to make a suitable replacement, or give up the habit!!!

Some of these things can be done easily, some not so much...

Do you really want to be addicted to anything that the lack thereof will allow you do STUPID STUFF when you can not afford it???

Also consider storing some of these items for barter... some folks will 'sell their soul' for a drink of liquor or just a pack of cigarettes! I figure that 'vices' will be worth a plenty in a barter situation.

This is not meant to be a 'holier than thou' type of post, as I have things to work on as well. It is meant for us to STOP, and evaluate our true needs and wants and make a plan. I mean when folks talk about 'beans, bullets and bandaids' maybe they should include the mention of 'booze' or comfort items as well.

No need to give up something you don't want to, but do have a plan so it will not become your Achilles Heel WTSHTF!

Ramblings on the S&W 325 PD revolver...

I love semi autos and my favorite caliber is the venerable .45 ACP.

Sure I like the capacity of the wonder nines and if it shoots a projectile, I like it.

Revolvers are nice but I have not owned many. So after getting really anal about chasing my brass from the autos, I looked into the S&W 25,625,325 series of revolver. I wanted something light weight so the 325 PD fit the bill. Thunder Ranch has partenered with S&W to make the Nightwatch but I just don't like snub nosed revolver. I consider the 4" barrelled revolver the minimum for a good utility gun. My local dealer ask his supplier and they said they had one in stock and I had them ship it out.



It has some nice wood grips as well as the the rubber grips it now wears. I'd plan on adding some Crimson Trace laser grips (I prefer Lasermax for semi-autos) in the future.

Since the .45 ACP does not have a rim, it requires the use of a moon clip to be able to extract spent cases. Think a speed loader that you just drop in six fresh catridges! I think you can also use the .45 auto rim catridge but to me it is a mute point as I am sticking to the .45 ACP.

If you are gonna use it you better lay in a good supply of moon clips and they are cheap enough to stack deep.



The cylinder is made from titanium and the frame is made from S&W Scandium metal, only the internals and a metal insert in the barrel are made from steel! Very light weight buts recoil is not severe. I wouldn't want to shoot the .357 or .44 mag version a lot :eek: Weighs roughly the same loaded as a Glock 36 and is just as handy.

The sights are of the high-viz front size variety and are very easy to pick up. As all S&W revolvers it is nicely done and is accurate.

Just need some leather for it, might place an order with Kramer to get one of their excellent horse hide leather holsters. Good stuff!

So now when the mighty .45 roars on the ZA homestead, the ZA doesn't roar because he lost his BRASS. It happens when you shoot and move in a fescue field!

Thanks for reading :)

Later,
ZA

Ramblings on my working blades...

From TOP to BOTTOM:

RTAK by WKC Newt Livesay
Woodsman's Pal
Buck BUCKMASTER
Buck Intrepid commercial copy of the Kit Carson design
Cold Steel Recon Tanto
Gerber LMF II



RTAK (Randall Training and Adventure Knife) made FIRST by Newt Livesay of the Wicked Knife Company. I read an article in ASG (American Survival Guide) and was really impressed with it. I took me about a month to get it shipped and I suspect that is why eventually RTAK production went to Ontario Knife to meet demand. I have both but IMHO the Origional slightly edges (pun intended) out the Ontario version. Currently the ONLY semi custom blade I own. This blade is a awesome chopper. It easily and quickly can help you blaze a trail, clear brush, construct a shelter, split wood and defend yourself if need be!



Next up is the Woodsman's Pal. This was designed in WWII and I even think there is an technique for using it as weapon. I found a local source that carried these for $35 (at the time) so thought I'd try one. I was impressed. It equally chopped wood well and functioned as machete. The brush hook will easily handle small brush, saw briars, and blackberry bushes with ease. I prefer to use this over a axe or hatchet, for to me, it seems much safer.

I use this also to split wood by driving it through the wood by striking the tip with a handy sized chunk of wood. I actually use this on a test for the RTAK's, Recon Tanto and WP to make sure my knives are up to my needs!

The example shown above is my PRISTINE one as it has never been used but resides in my work bag (I have bush axes, axes and pruning saws on my truck and use them because I have to chop poison vines with them, mine is for survival use).

The one on my 4 wheeler has seen a hard life, but other than the wood handles graying, and some shiny spots on the blade, it is good to go!

Bottom line, if I had to have only one blade to survive in the wild, give me a Woodman's pal!



Next up is the Buck BUCKMASTER. Back in the mid to late 80's when the hollow handled survival knife craze was going on, this was the pinnacle of mass produced knives. I later came to find out, that this design was vastly inferior to full tang designs. HOWEVER next to a Chris Reeve hollow handled knife this blade is the only hollowed handle design I would carry.

At the time I liked the idea of having an all in one survival kit in the handle of your knife. I mean it was a cool concept, but blade and handle seperation is a bad thing! Better to have a superior blade and a survival kit in YOUR POCKET!

The BUCKMASTER is a big piece of steel. The handle has agressive checkering and well IMHO is one of the prettiest knives of the 80's.

Unfortunately I lost one of the spikes while on a camping trip. I suppose the idea is to use this knife as a grappling hook or such in the sheath... I don't like that idea but it is there if I need such. The screw off handle has a place to attach a rope or carabiner as well.

Great knife, but it was a "I wanted one when I was younger" thing. It resides in one of my vehicle kits these days as a backup...




This is the Buck Intrepid. This blade was designed by Kit Carson. The knife is very well made and has a full tang. The handles are removable for cleaning zombie blood or when immersed in salt water.

I prefer a straight edge knife to serrated one because it is easier to sharpen. I do however think the combo blades with partial straight and serrated edges are great. I think serrated blades really shine in cutting nylon, rope and similar materials. So got the best of both worlds there!

I also like the chisel edge on top of the blade as this knife has lots of cutting area, which is a nice option as well

This blade has a Tanto point which is also a plus in my book as it makes the tip very strong as well as great piercing characteristics. They also made this blade with a chisel tip, but it was not for me

This knife resides in my work bag in case I run into a survival situation @ work and need a great blade to get me out of a survival situation.



Above is the Cold Steel RECON Tanto. This blade wins in the economy department. As you can see from the pics, I have used this knife, lovingly but HARD! I love this blade and can not say enough good things about it!

Funny thing is a group of three of us went on a camping trip. When we pulled out our knives, EVERYONE had a RCON Tanto. This said a lot being that we were from varied backgrounds and had come to the same answer in a fixed blade knife!

One of the fellars showed me a technique to split wood with the RECON Tanto, that when I first saw it, I honestly thought he was gonna break it. I mentioned it above about striking the tip to drive the Tanto through the wood with a baseball bat sized piece of wood!

I use the RECON Tanto to split pieces of wood for kindling just like I described above and it works great! The Woodman's Pal beats the RT in this method mainly because the WP is a bigger piece of metal!

Overall one of the most affordable, durable and SHARP (holds and edge and is easy to sharpen) knives I have ever owned/used.

I don't know if the RECON Tanto's are still made in the USA, but if I had a choice, I'd go American, this one is.



Finally we get to the last blade and the one that has the honor of residing in my BOB/GHB, the Gerber LMF II. I hated Gerber Knives in the late 80's and early 90's. The reason is that the blades broke to easily. I am hard on a knife, so either it breaks and I hate it, or it doesn't and I love it.

So even though Gerbers were not cheap, I considered them POS blades (except the origional LMF) and after a bad experience I wrote them off.

A friend of mine is a Gerber freak and I noticed ,that to me, the blades seemed better made. So when the LMF II came out I was impressed. Impressed enough to lift my ban on Gerber blades.

I like the combo edge (as I talked about above) and I find that the shorter overall length makes this a practical knife that does small and large chores easy. IMHO this is a perfect length for a tool knife. It does everything well except for the chopping power of the larger blades.

The blade and hammer pommel are electrically isolated so if you need to you could chop a live wire (one sniper in Iraq used this knife to do such a thing). Not plan A, but a plan none the less!

The steel is easy to sharpen and it is extremely well ballanced.

Overall it has passed all my tests and it reminds me of an updated version of the 'USAF pilot survival knife' expecially in its size and handiness.

So there you have it, my fixed blade arsenal. Thanks for reading!

Ramblings on keeping electronics working in cold weather...

I just got back from a parade up here in the mountains of NC my little was in. It was rather chilly, overcast, 5mph breeze, and 30F. I know for most of you in the Northern part of the country this is considered a heat wave, but for us in the south when that is the HIGH, that is 'dry' blizzard conditions

So when standing on a street waiting for your little angel to hurry the heck up (the float she was on was 3rd from the last ) your camera batteries are even less cold tolerant than you... So you don't want to miss that all important 15 secs of "Hey Daddy!!!!!" you were capturing for posterity with a cold 'graveyard dead' camera battery.

There are actually 2 solutions to this problem but are dependent on the battery type.

1. If your device is powered by AA's then simply switch them out to Energizers Lithium AA batteries. These batteries work very well in the cold. ALL my gear in my BOB/GHB has lithiums in them (if available), because these don't leak like alkalines, and their shelf life is greater! Only downside is MORE expensive, but what is more expensive the cost of the batteries??? Or the item being useless when you need it???

2. Hot Hands 2 hand warmers...I came up with this technique on a camping trip in the Natahala National Forest. Our ham radios were powered by rechargeable NiMh batteries, but when subjected to below freezing temps, the batteries couldn't take it and they would shut down. Cold and rechargeable batteries don't mix in my experience, so some way was need to keep the battery warm so we could use the darn things! We had a crap load of hot hand hand warmers so stuck these in the radio pouches to keep our radios working. They work EXTREMELY well at this and we got through the trip. No fumes and no fuel or mess. Thin enough to fit in pouches or be temporarily taped/rubber banded to the back of cameras,camcorders, GPS units, ham radios, etc. They also do not get too hot (130F) but you should make sure that your electronics don't super heat by monitoring them while using the hot hands.

Just something you need to consider when working outside in the cold and expect your electronics to do the same...

That is what I used to get the video camera to record those 'precious moments' today!

73

later,
ZA