Thanks Steve, we are so lucky that the Hurricane season has been quite, so far. There is never a time to let your guard down.

You are correct Robert, would like to see September and November be just as quiet LOL

With this fuel, a knife, and two soup cans, a person could make a stove and a pot to heat water for soup or instant coffee. Open up the tent's vent though. Supposed to burn for thirty minutes. 

Hey Survivalist, I have donated a couple of knives, to try help promote our club. The large one is a special, Woodscraft knife, that could really be used for splitting wood and all sorts of things, if you are caught in the woods, without all the right equipment. Ya'll please try to participate and win a large Woodscraft knife. 

Robert, what do we have to do to be eligible to win?

Just promote the club and tell us all about it. Real simple. Tell your friends and anyone else. Just fine a way to promote the club. The page to post on is on the main page.

Found a good site; http://www.survival-pax.com/

There's lots of good reviews here and there on the internet. Good selection of Foursevens flashlights. They're supposed to have good service.

Sagan is complaining that the Republicans disbanded a committee that was overlooking scienc and technology and then in the next breath is worried about the government taking over science and technology.  I don't understand his argument.  Right now the government is picking winners and losers.  If you want to waste money promoting the myth of man caused global warming you get money.  If you even hint that you position is contrary to it, then your ridiculed and  your funding is cut.  Health skepticism is of science and technology typically will only occur outside the political authority. This is nothing new.

healthcare is only part of the problem.  Look at how the EPA is destroying the coal industry!  Look at how they demonize oil and gas in this country.  It is practically impossible to open refineries or drill for oil in the meantime we buy oil from countries that sponsor terrorist who attack us!

To understand Sagen's position a person has to believe in science as a means of survival for man. We still have people who don't believe in global warming. Those people can't be reached. The Office of Technology Assessment was abandoned because their reports did not support the government's agendas. The demise of OTA was a modern day book burning. The OTA reports touched upon subjects concerning every Congressional Committee, They were a thorn in the side of those in government who wanted to ignore science to have their way. So, they killed the messenger, Now decisions are based upon the most prevailing lies told by those hired to tell them. The scientist who are not dependent upon government funding will all agree that survival of mankind is dependent upon the elimination of carbon emissions from all sources. To do that we must abandon coal and oil as a source of energy, 

Unfortunately, the oil and coal industries have control of our government. New energy sources will not be seriously considered until it is too late. Wind power is the only area where some progress has been made. But, even the biggest investors in wind power have shifted their money to the coal industry. Why? Because it is clear to them that the government has every intention to continue supporting so-called "clean coal" as a reality. Those investors know they will be dead before that changes. All they care about is the quick money. They could not care less about the rest of us.The government pushes those industries that will fill the coffers of their friends who support them with funds. Mining and timber interests are big business for our government. Both continue to destroy the environment with the support of ignorant and greedy people. The EPA is simply a tool used by our government to further delay meaningful changes.by talking it to death. Any changes made will be funded by us in the rebuilding  infrastructures that are outdated anyway. Another government giveaway to firms with billions already set aside for the purpose that should be used instead. The OTC will not come back. Regulators of the financial world will continue to look the other way. Government inspections will continue be a joke. The bottom line for those of us who don't have our heads buried in the sand, is that we must prepare for the worst, and don't let those who will continue to ignore the reality of the future take us down with them when their panic sets in. 

Clay, If you are so concerned and want to make a change; plant at tree. Jim

It might be that the Office of Technology was getting information only supporting Global Warming, when there is no conclusive proof that a. there is global warming and b. that humans are contributing to it.

It seems a proven fact that there was a "Little Ice Age" (1600s-1800s) http://shop.history.com/little-ice-age-big-chill-dvd/detail.php?p=6... that followed a warming period in which even Greenland was settled for a couple centuries.  That is, there was warming on the planet well before the Industrial Revolution or even one car.  There may or may not be global warming or humans may or may not be contributing to it today, but there is a belief that the thrust of any governmental involvement in almost anything these days is about control and not about the environment.

With regard to coal and oil controlling the government, there us evidence to the contrary.  http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/green-tech/clean-coal/epa-issue... - no new coal-fired energy plants being built, and the new EPA regs would prevent new ones anyway.  Plus, there continues to be a moratorium on drilling in ANWR.

Then there are the "junk science" advocates that got us plastic bags because paper bags came from cutting trees, which even though a renewable resource, was bad. Plastic is not biodegradable and paper is, but no matter.  And, after that it was the Spotted Owl that needed to be saved - another hoax for not cutting trees.  So, the EPA and other agencies are breaking their collective backs to pass laws saving the planet, some of which seem bogus in hindsight.  http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/260150/killing-owls-save-owl... .  

It is difficult to know who or what to believe,  but a healthy skepticism of whatever the government wants to do on our behalf is prudent, especially if we are taxed for it.

We are releasing less carbon and methane in the air than in previous times, and this is a good thing, not so much for the survival of the planer but for human health.  I agree we should conserve energy, reduce waste and recycle and properly dispose of waste.  This is part of God's command that we be stewards of the planet.

However, the amount of greenhouse gases we emit is insignificant to the amount of greenhouse gases released from  volcanic eruptions or meteor impacts. 

In actuality we have created artificial heat zones with the introduction of ever growing large cities and these are the primary location where the weather services get their temps from.  When you eliminate these artificial pockets of heat from the equation, temperatures have remained fairly constant.   If you want to do something about  artificial changes in the climate, we would be better off spreading out the population and eliminate large cities.     

Sagan was a little bit of a looney who became famous with a TV show.  Eventually he began to think he talked for the whole scientific community and the very lazy media ate up anything he said with little or no fact checking.   The man believed little Green Men were visiting the us while at the same time accepting that it would take millions and millions of years to reach another planet  with life.

Even if you do believe there is life beyond this planet (which I do), there really is no way for them to reach us  or even communicate with us without breaking the same laws of physics that Sagan believed in.  And then you also have to have the assumption that other life would actually have a reason to come here.

Tobias, I agree with you.  Human emissions are insignificant compared to what the planet itself puts out.  For instance when Mt. St. Helens blew its top, it put out the equivalent of several years worth of total human emissions.  I wish I could find or remember the number, but it was several years worth.  And when the super volcano under Yellowstone blows again (which it will, sooner or later), Mt. St. Helens will seem like a minor hiccup. 

And all those dead leaves and other vegetation rotting on the forest floors all over this planet are emitting gases 24/7.

But lets not spread the population out.  Let them stay in the cities.  I want open land left to hunt in! LOL

And you are right.  Sagan was a looney.

As far as life on other planets, I tend to think no.  The Bible says that God created the sun, moon, and stars for man.  The earth was created first, then the rest.  And the Bible gives no indication of or reason for life anywhere but earth.  Also we have now gone to the moon and Mars.  And zilch as far as life, not even a microbe.

But for the sake of discussion, lets assume out there somewhere there is another planet circling a star with life on it.  Now the closest star to earth other than the sun, is over 4 light years away.  On the face of it, 4 light years doesn't sound awfully far.

But consider.  A light year is the distance light travels in one year.  Now light travels at 186,000 miles per sec.  So if we multiply 186,000 miles per second by 60 to get a minute, again by 60 to get an hour, by 24 to get a day, and finally by 365 to get a year, we find that light travels 1,365,696,000,000 miles in one year. But again the closest star is over 4 light years, or over 5 trillion miles away.  

If we, or "they", could get a spaceship traveling 100,000 miles per hour, it would take about 1,600 years to travel between earth and the closest star.  It would take radio signals over 4 years to make the trip.

Tobias,  As usual you are quite insightful.  First Chicken Little cried "ice age, ice age" and when that got no traction he cried "global warming, global warming", still no traction so then he bet a straddle; I've got it he cried "climate change"; how can I go wrong with that?  And climate change there shall be, always has been, always will be.

Thank God for global warming.  Otherwise we would still be in the Ice Age! LOL

Charles, I'm a fairly religious person as well.  I ave often pointed out that the Creation story in the Bible pretty much follows the formation of the universe, only it is told more simply.  (A broad brush, approach) 

When people ask me,  if I believe there could be life on a other planets, I answer yes.  When the ask me how does that reconcile with Christian faith (I'm a Catholic)  I normally quote John 21:25:

"There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written"

As Jesus is God, we can assume God has also done many other things  in the universe that we humans are unaware of, much of which it is best we remain ignorant of.

As for your  comment about life on other planets reaching earth: "If we, or "they", could get a spaceship traveling 100,000 miles per hour, it would take about 1,600 years to travel between earth and the closest star.  It would take radio signals over 4 years to make the trip."

My point exactly  They won't be visiting us anytime soon. .  If other life forms are out there, God put them there.  We are not the stewards of the universe.  That's God's Job.  

Oh and about those radio signals we transmits from the earth.  By the time they reach are nearest neighboring star (Alpha Centauri) they have been complete drowned out by the radiation emitted by the sun.    The NSA might be monitoring you but there is no life form beyond this planet that can hear a thing you are saying.

Good discussion: I don't think we know everything God has done apart from planet earth. Its to vast a subject for us humans to understand. Mostly what I know is "I was lost and now I am found" - thank you Jesus.

Could there be life on other planets?  Absolutely!  God could put life anywhere he so chooses and enable it to live there.

But did he?  That is the question.  We will never know for sure this side of heaven for the reasons already mentioned.

And AMEN on Jesus is God!

Yes God is the steward of the universe.  Man is supposed to be stewards of the earth and we don't always do a good job of even that.

Amen Ken, great serman!

Here's one I made for a "Bushcrafting Maniac" (he's a good friend so I can say that). He carries it all the time in the woods. It's called a Hym. Farm Knife. Quite handy on the large end, much more functional than a machete with better forward balance.

16" blade forged from a Chevy leaf spring, includes a fire starter and sharpening file (on back of sheath), handle is black locust.

HF.jpg farm%2520knife.jpg

(Personally, I prefer a chainsaw these days.)

Farmknife%204.JPG Farmknife%202.JPG

Couple of pics from the forging/finishing stages. Sorry, can't find one of just the finished knife by itself.....must have wandered of in E space.

I also have a close friend - Andy Roy - owner/operator Fiddleback Forge, and specializes in bushcrafting knives. Might want to check him out. His work is high quality.

Carl...

Nice looking sheath and pup.

Clint

a big piece of steel!  Looks handy.  I am working my way up, but haven't gotten to machetes yet.

Wish that was my pup, belongs to the "maniac".

Thanks for the kind words folks. Making this knife kind of went against my grain as a bladesmith and instructor. To forge the blade, one must do everything wrong hammer wise that is conducive to forging a "good" shaped piece of cutlery. ie - the banana curve up indicates lazy hammer control with no attention to distal taper and distortion control (things I coach against). It was hard to break that conditioning since I've been doing this so long.

It is a large knife with serious purpose, but is relatively simple to forge. Just doesn't fit in my tempering oven.

Carl...

Can we get a pic of the finished product?  Steve....zombies would not have a chance.

Not into this zombie thing; but she's heck on firewood and ribs!

Looking for a knife only pic but cyber space has eaten everything. Will check with owner for a pic.

Interesting question, Steve (will vs skill).  Received a book for Christmas: "The Survivors Club" by Ben Sherwood (2009).  I just started it, but it looks at who survives catastrophes.  That is, of initial survivors, who survives the ordeal.

Some are going to die anyway, regardless of their will or skill - just in the wrong place.  Of the "lucky" ones, what can we find out about why some survive the following ordeal - Andes plane crash, boat sinkings, etc.

So far, (just started) will or mental focus is certainly one component.  For example, some percentage of sky divers each year fail to open their chutes because they lose focus until it is too late.  The other side of the question is also studied.  Why don't some people survive?  I hope to learn something by the time I finish the book.

Howard some people fall short in their abilities.

  I have a couple of good friends that are excellent deer hunters but are not Woodsman. They get lost in the woods behind the camp. They could not tell you one plant for another. In most all other aspects of the forest, except hunting deer, they fall short.

  I believe, those that fall short in some sort of way, will be those that don't make it through a catastrophe. May it be will power, skills or some other short fall. 

Hahahahaha.  Funny you should bring that up, Robert.  One of the four of us who hunt and target shoot together was a Navy Seal.  Well, he has the insignia of a SEAL, but gets lost in the 500 acre woods where we hunt.  Let's hope your friends don't wipe their hind ends with poison ivy or poison oak.

LOL, they might, you never know.

I think there are three factors to survival in those situations, will, skill, and pure blind luck.  Obviously those with both the will and skill to survive will be the most likely to survive any given situation.   If you have a lot of skill but don't have the will to use it, it wouldn't help you a lot.  Even if you don't have a lot of skill, but have a dogged determination to never give up, just refuse to ever quit, that can often carry you a long way.  And then there is blind luck.  Even a skillful person with the will to survive can be taken out by circumstances beyond his control.  Just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  And a person might be lost with no idea where he is or which direction to go, he just moves in some direction and it just happens to be the right one.

Interesting tidbit from the book.  Admiral Stockdale (Viet Nam prisoner) was asked which prisoners perished in captivity said, "Oh, That's easy.  The optimists."

I think the more control you have over the situation, the more likely you are to survive. There is a big difference between being an optimist and keeping a positive mental attitude.  The optimist assumes everything will work out in the end, the person with a positive mental attitude works hard to achieve the best outcome for any given situation. The pessimist just gives up because he/she assumes all is hopeless. 

All you can do is prepare for survival.  Tools, skills, supplies, a plan are within your control.  Circumstances are not including luck, good or bad.  The more prepared you are the better your chances.  

That looks great Miss Jan, the Indians of the old days would have loved it.

There's good luck and there's bad luck. If you even think it's what you need to survive, you need to stay home. It is truly blind.

It's all about making the right decision at the right time.

Here's my version of early "tactical":

WC.400.8.2%20rev.JPG

Carl....

Cool looking weapons.

It's good to see Dave is doing Okay.

So I am not real sure how I feel about this one.  Battery operated but does charge items with a USD post?

BioLite

I have the BioLite stove and grill, works great! The new kettle they have now looks interesting too.

Anyone in this group making a Survivalist garden? I would think you would need Fruits, berries and Vegetables to survive. 

Well Robert this is a good question.  Depending on your climate or "Zone" my guess high protein foods like pinto beans, corn, greens, nuts of some type, peanuts if warm enough, wheat to make bread and barley.  I think research would be in order.

We try and let mother Earth provide a lot of what we eat. From wild game and fish to fruit, berries and veggies. We try to grow, catch or kill as much as possible. I also barter some stuff for things we haven't raised. I have made a future trade of catfish for 12 dozen ears of sweet corn.

Not a name that jumps out at you when you think survival gear

BUT MAYBE IT SHOULD

Colonial is once again supporting “Seek the Peak”. The 14th Annual Hike-A-Thon to support the Mount Washington Observatory's largest annual fundraiser and the Nation's Premier Hiking Event! Learn more and register on SeekthePeak.org.

AND

Colonial Knife sponsored six VICE (Vertical Ice Climbing Enthusiasts) members to Kyrgyzstan in July 2013 to attempt unclimbed peaks in the Central Tien-Shan Mountains.... more

Preliminary trip report 1
Preliminary trip report 2

That's pretty cool, Jan.  Good for Colonial!