tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post6606168574890941076..comments2023-08-15T06:33:53.114-07:00Comments on Bison Prepper: past future 2 of 5James M Dakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-76249108752625403492016-08-05T05:46:44.960-07:002016-08-05T05:46:44.960-07:00Town is attractive, for many reasons. We are socia...Town is attractive, for many reasons. We are social critters, not least. <br /><br />RV is many things to many people, from house+land-level cost with house-level power/money inputs, to $3000 hogged-out shell to hang a hammock in ("runs great, current tags") while you street-squat in a city with $1200+ studio apartments and $300/day (cash, natch') 12 hour shift jobs to build a nest egg.<br /><br />Tent/tarp is either intentional or ultralight post-apocalypse pedestrian shelter. Like house cats, people don't mostly survive to be old when left outside. Good to have the skill but... temporary until you can build/share/rent winter quarters or gtfo. <br /><br />pdxr13Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-21199126332615519762016-08-03T14:25:52.154-07:002016-08-03T14:25:52.154-07:00Having lived too long in an RV, I wouldn't go ...Having lived too long in an RV, I wouldn't go back to that, let alone a tent. James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-80935504819355067842016-08-03T14:24:00.468-07:002016-08-03T14:24:00.468-07:00Okay, I reread and I ignored the firefighter equat...Okay, I reread and I ignored the firefighter equation. I'd pay someone in lumber to cut down any trees that would be a fire danger later. Free lumber for your home, no fire danger, no chainsaw.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-60672908809832877832016-08-03T14:21:12.709-07:002016-08-03T14:21:12.709-07:00More money now to reduce calories later. But a po...More money now to reduce calories later. But a power tool isn't always the answer, as you can reduce ENERGY calories later. ie, building underground so you need less heat, less wood, NO chainsawJames M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-53867571345644186932016-08-03T12:10:08.035-07:002016-08-03T12:10:08.035-07:00Everyone will be their own firedepartment, EMT, an...Everyone will be their own firedepartment, EMT, and other first responder as the collapse accelerates. If you can get a really good deal that you can afford on a usable power tool, and don't have that as the only arrow in your quiver, you should certainly consider getting the proper power tools - but that is an affordability issue too - the opportunity costs of buying another bucket of calories vs. the cost of having a tool to reduce your calorie expenditure...JJGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06708302086326564665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-64362201823958082342016-08-03T11:13:32.018-07:002016-08-03T11:13:32.018-07:00@8:42; thanks for the input on the wool percentage...@8:42; thanks for the input on the wool percentages, that's pretty much the exact answer that I was looking for. I've got two of the Hudson Bay blankets on the way, and I'm sure they'll be great, but at the used price even, you won't be stocking too many of these. So I can choose between quality or quantity if I wish to gather more. As of now, the used 100% wool blankets are still semi-affordable, but if the same trend with the Italian surplus blankets (They've more than quadrupled in price, and are going for $150 now) follows, that's not going to be true too much longer. I'm actually considering taking up knitting or quilting, or what ever the heck it's officially called, for this very reason. <br /><br />@pdxr13; yes, I'm aware of the thick 100% wool blankets that were kept close by fireplaces to squelch out runaway fires, but apparently you can no longer find them, or at least find them cheaply. I'm talking about blankets that are probably no more than 20% nylon, and the rest wool. But you have to be careful, because some of the blankets being sold now have way less than that at 55% wool content. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-43611640370074803822016-08-03T11:12:36.486-07:002016-08-03T11:12:36.486-07:00There is a sweet spot of getting almost all of the...There is a sweet spot of getting almost all of the benefits of 100% wool with the hard physical-wearing of nylon (bugs don't like synthetics) which is likely around 85% wool. This would matter in garments and less in blankets. <br />I do repairs using nylon upholstery thread (Coats & Clark tan 150 yds Art. S964 ~$2.00) that is "extra strong" meaning that if you pull it it cuts your flesh well before breaking or stretching. The next step up in strength for thread this size is Kevlar (much much more $$$), then Japanese synthetic spider-silk (almost unobtainable). <br /><br />If you think like a pioneer, the first thing, after finding a good defendable spot, is to build a shelter for the wimmin and kids. If you are educated a little, you copy the fireplace design of N.European high-mass stoves or Russian Grubka, then you cut less wood for the rest of your life. Living for long in a thin nylon tent is lame, even in Portland with homeless tax-free sleep-anywhere privileges. <br /><br />pdxr13 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-9387405805414914882016-08-03T05:22:13.812-07:002016-08-03T05:22:13.812-07:00Papists were just as vicious of warriors as pagan ...Papists were just as vicious of warriors as pagan Vikings. The only difference was that first the church had to give them permission. Vikings didn't have that centralized control ( remember, Papists were an empire in all but name ). Agree on chainsaw, except for pre-collapse it is still more a want and desire than need. I believe its only real necessity would be for firefighters when time is actually critical ( getting the car to go to work, not nearly so much ). Is that it? Are chainsaw advocates trying to channel their inner-fireman?James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-24365703835791596952016-08-03T05:16:59.279-07:002016-08-03T05:16:59.279-07:00Women in quasi-combat roles also erodes the gender...Women in quasi-combat roles also erodes the gender specifics needed to rear a family properly. It is best avoided for that reason rather than "ability". While some individuals have a higher aptitude than others, it is about what is gender specific in general. Males that didn't make good warriors didn't pass on their genes. So we get the worse of the deal. James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-88536793699390326942016-08-03T05:08:40.571-07:002016-08-03T05:08:40.571-07:00While forced bug out is unavoidable, ideally you&#...While forced bug out is unavoidable, ideally you'd be in a permanent position and open fires would not be used to save on fuel, plus candles would not be needed yet. Fire danger should be minimized over the lifespan of synthetics, then we'd return to all natural anyway.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-34191414902508518332016-08-03T01:45:37.989-07:002016-08-03T01:45:37.989-07:00I would be most concerned about the blanket burnin...I would be most concerned about the blanket burning near a fire. With a high enough plastic content, a "wool" blanket might support fire instead of snuffing a spark like 100% wool will. <br /><br />Synthetic blankets, clothing, and sleeping bags do not work near fire, unless they are expensive Aramid (firefighting surplus tech). <br /><br />pdxr13Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-70046777756472153392016-08-02T22:21:33.125-07:002016-08-02T22:21:33.125-07:00I collect free wool and wool blend skirts, shirts ...I collect free wool and wool blend skirts, shirts and jackets that people are getting rid of. I cut them into 5 inch squares and sew them together. Add some batting and a flat bed sheet (from a second hand store, of course) for a back. Use yarn to tie at every corner (every 5 inches). They make warm, rustic, country-style quilts.<br /><br />Idaho Homesteader<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-75326612272535217712016-08-02T20:42:13.329-07:002016-08-02T20:42:13.329-07:00Girl here. I have my opinions about women in battl...Girl here. I have my opinions about women in battle. My opinion is basically we're more valuable as spies and saboteurs than as infantry. That could also be true of the elderly and children. But do not lump us in with the Nice Christian Preppers and think we are only good for defending the home.<br /><br />Since demographics is destiny, the society whose women are willing and able to have babies and raise them, will be the one that wins. This also depends on the dads sticking around, since Uncle Sugar will eventually be unable to foot the bill for the baby mamas out there.<br /><br />Now about the blankets: Less than 100% wool won't be as warm. But 100% wool will wear out faster than, say, 75% wool 25% polyester. It being a blanket, there's not much wear and tear that happens, but I've noticed this with socks.<br /><br />I made a 100% wool blanket by buying a bunch of used wool sweaters at the thrift store, shrinking them in the wash/dryer on hot, which felts them, and cutting them up and sewing them together to make a blanket. It's rather stretchy so I thought I would put a polyester backing on it and tie it (a quilting technique where you just tack it every 6 inches or so rather than sewing through it in lines). But I never got around to either that or even finishing the seams yet, because summer. Come fall I will finish this project.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-51776544896230337942016-08-02T17:50:58.330-07:002016-08-02T17:50:58.330-07:00If you want to maintain the moral high ground (and...If you want to maintain the moral high ground (and you should since you'll eventually answer for all your actions, here, or in the hereafter), you should only take action against those who are threatening you, not those otherwise living in peace with you in the area. Raiders eventually get "taken care of" by one means or another. The Vikings were converted to Christianity by Christian slaves they captured and brought back with them. Their raids ceased by 1066 AD because they had mostly all become Christians.<br /><br />Would this be a good summary of your opinion on chainsaws? If you NEED a chainsaw, there's no substitute, such as when a tree falls across your driveway, or is creating a hazard for your residence and needs to be felled. If you NEED a chainsaw in order to survive (keep from freezing to death), your plan is non-viable and you won't survive. Accurate? <br />Peace outAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-19573995498669994952016-08-02T15:23:31.249-07:002016-08-02T15:23:31.249-07:00You must think like an animal predator. Fight and...You must think like an animal predator. Fight and attack only when it is safe. Retreat otherwise. Always being aggressive is more an attitude than a tactic.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-12429255994130085922016-08-02T15:17:34.928-07:002016-08-02T15:17:34.928-07:00Darn good question on the wool percentage.Darn good question on the wool percentage.James M Dakinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01382139289994087931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-55984907974901512942016-08-02T11:15:38.355-07:002016-08-02T11:15:38.355-07:00Jim's on fire today! Expect a lot of comments ...Jim's on fire today! Expect a lot of comments on this one. The truth ain't pretty folks, but better to recognize it as it is before it's too late.<br /><br />Off topic, but I've got a question that hopefully someone here can answer? I've been looking at wool blankets, and I've noticed that most of the more affordable surplus blankets are not 100% wool. And it seems that the hardcore outdoor's types recommend 100% wool, but so far I haven't come across a definitive answer as to why? Is there a point at which once you reach a certain percentage of wool that it no longer matters, and practically speaking it's just as good as a 100% wool blanket?<br /><br />I just picked up two used Hudson Bay wool blankets at Ebay for just over a $100. But at that price you won't be stocking too many wool blankets, so I'm wondering if anyone has found a suitable compromise? Best I can tell, the thick orange french blankets are the best bargain right now? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2686829448547770092.post-877454136947816432016-08-02T08:28:36.912-07:002016-08-02T08:28:36.912-07:00If an Opportunity presents itself your tribe must ...If an Opportunity presents itself your tribe must take it - including an advantageous raid on an opponent (and yes almost every other tribe in reach is an opponent and competition for resources). But a continual policy of aggression just increases the number of firefights/combats your tribe engages in and thus increases the risks to the tribe.<br />There has to be a balancing act between these things - keeping your eyes peeled (scouts exploring/patrolling) for opportunities to gain advantage (new brides, servants and, handmaidens for the warriors and their households, more livestock, grain, ammo, etc., etc.) at low cost (poorly defended). But being on constant attack means you will run into traps, ambushes and places that are NOT poorly defended costing you too many of your own warriors to defend against the opportunist tribe you thought was all asparagus farming feminized peaceniks. JJGreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06708302086326564665noreply@blogger.com