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Comment by Howard P Reynolds on August 7, 2015 at 20:46

I did a search on ikc for "bearing block", which didn't turn up any hits, so here goes.  I was down a rabbit hole on YouTube the other day, and came across some old codger making a bow drill kit.  Now, you think of a bearing block as some mechanism to help you bear down on the top of your bow drill rod to keep it steady, like a rock or a divot in your knife handle made for that purpose. The guy on the YouTube video said he keeps one in his pocket all the time, so he is never without it.  He sells them on his site, but I moved on without checking on his "bearing block" However, it struck me that his "bearing block" looked similar to a wheel bearing.  And within moments, it hit me.that an old Timken wheel bearing is just the thing for a bearing block for a bow drill.  Of course, you have to find one small enough to fit in your hand with a relatively small center so your makeshift bow drill shaft/spindle will fit without going through the hole.  So, there you go.  Keep a Timken wheel bearing in your pocket, and you'll have the most friction-free bearing block on the planet for your bow drill kit. 

Comment by Jan Carter on July 29, 2015 at 14:20

Austin City Council members passed a preliminary plan in April to put restrictions on smoke from barbecue restaurants. Some Austin residents complain of the barbecue smoke saying they can’t enjoy their homes they purchased before some of these restaurants moved in.

The city council’s current proposal will require smoke diffusers and will also limit the amount of time that restaurants can smoke. These restrictions will require at least $100,000 in extra investments for most barbecue restaurants as they will be forced to buy extra smokers along with severely expensive diffusers, and in some cases will have to lease or purchase more property.  One business expert told council members that these restrictions will certainly kill all but the largest barbecue restaurants in Austin. It is effectively a ban on barbecue restaurants in a town known for its barbecue.

Comment by Howard P Reynolds on July 28, 2015 at 14:01

www.besthuntingknives.org/best-survival-knife/

Downton Data, I don't much care what someone picks for a survival knife.  Assuming one checks the specs for the type of steel, and heat-treat reputation, lots of knives will make good survival knives.  I like "destruction" tests to help pick a knife.  Knives that pass "destruction" tests should be excellent survival knives.
My favorite type of survival knife is a fixed-blade with a blade length of 6" or longer, because batoning firewood under survival conditions requires length enough to have a substantial part of the blade on the other end from the handle to beat on with the baton.  As the article mentions, what one wants a knife to do is very important.  I don't think you can do everything with one knife.  A 6"+ blade will help you cut poles for your shelter, and baton larger pieces of wood into that mid-sized stuff between fuzz sticks/kindling and big fire logs, or lash it to a 6 ft. staff to make a spear for defense against predators, but is a bit long for skinning, or carving a wooden spoon for your survival camp, or smaller jobs around camp.  And, a big knife isn't the best fillet knife for fish.  If you can't fit an axe or hatchet in your prepper pack, a pocket chainsaw will do, along with about three knives, a big-un, a mid-size (4" or so blade), and a small folder, like a Whittler or Stockman.  The smaller knives can either be packed in, or attached to, the outside of the pack.  I have no use for serrated or partially serrated blades as  they are hard to sharpen.  The guy doesn't seem to like Nylon sheaths, but if there is a plastic insert, or a Kydex sheath, I think Nylon or Kydex will outperform leather which doesn't like foul weather much.

Featured Comment by Charles Sample on July 28, 2015 at 13:14

That is totally stupidly ridiculous!

Comment by Howard P Reynolds on July 28, 2015 at 12:52

It seems to be another example of EPA overreach.

Comment by Jan Carter on July 28, 2015 at 12:46

I just amazed that there is even an official you can call to complain about this that HAS to go investigate it instead of laugh and hang up

Comment by Tobias Gibson on July 28, 2015 at 12:33

It would seem that someone has an issue with an African-American on the block.  Looks like a bunch of BS.

Comment by Jan Carter on July 28, 2015 at 12:07

Tobias,

Well I have met some folks that COULD be goblins

Comment by Jan Carter on July 28, 2015 at 12:07

I know it has been seen in other places but it is amazing to me that EPA pays these folks to see if the smells leaves the property????

Comment by Tobias Gibson on July 28, 2015 at 7:45

Jan said, "LOL, only if I could make it glow like that"

Jan I doubt you could ever make Sting glow.  It only glows when orc or goblins are near.

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