Eight top reasons reasons why you should add a notebook to your survival gear

Part of my everyday carry gear is a notebook and a pen or pencil. Here is why these are important. by Leon Pantenburg For decades, I have carried a pencil or pen and small pocket notebook as part of my everyday carry gear. I always carry a pencil and notebook in my compass setup. (Pantenburg …

How to make tasty Dutch oven venison meat loaf in a Dutch oven

There is comfort food and there is survival food, and there is no reason some recipes can’t be the same in both categories! Try this meatloaf recipe – it’s delicious! by Leon Pantenburg For me, meatloaf  is a comfort food. I love sitting down to a meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and …

Water purification in the wilderness – what works, and what doesn’t

You can only live about three days without water. Here’s some new info about improvising water purification systems in the wilderness, and how well these work. by Leon Pantenburg I always carry some sort of water purification system in the backcountry, regardless of where I’m going. One of my favorite systems is the LifeStraw, because …

Review: L.T. Wright GNS bushcraft knife

L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives has a new bushcrafter out, and it promises to be a contender in that elusive, almost-mythical best all-around knife category. by Leon Pantenburg I bought this knife to test, and was not paid to do this review. L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives began years ago when L.T. Wright and a friend of his began …

Review: See what’s to like about the new L.T. Wright GNS bushcraft knife

L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives has a new bushcrafter out, and it promises to be a contender in that elusive, almost-mythical best all-around knife category. by Leon Pantenburg I bought this knife to test, and was not paid to do this review. L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives began when L.T. Wright and a friend began Blind Horse Knives.  A …

Should a Walking Stick Be Part of Your Survival Gear?

“Although the vast majority of walkers never even think of using a walking staff, I unhesitatingly include it among the foundations of the house that travels on my back. I still take my staff along almost as automatically as I take my pack. It is a third leg to me – and much more besides.” …

DIY: Free Containers for Firestarter Kits

Some urban or wilderness survival items, if quality is not compromised, should be cheap.  This allows you to have multiple pieces of good, effective equipment, stashed in strategic locations, so you’ll never run short. (From left) A Red Bull energy shot bottle; prescription bottle; diabetic test strip container and a 35mm film container all make …

Urban camouflage: Blend in if you have to walk home after a disaster

You just got off work, something happens and you hit gridlock on the highway. In this scenario the best choice is to abandon the car, take your Get-Home bag out of the trunk and walk.  Can you blend in with the rest of the unprepared people so you don’t become a target for robbers or …

Where to start in firearms ownership? Check out Survival Guns, A Beginner’s Guide

How do you chose a firearms system for preparedness? This book can help you get started. By Leon Pantenburg Suppose you know nothing about firearms, but have decided to add some to your preparedness tools. You’re starting from ground zero, and need to build a practical battery for self defence, security, target shooting and possibly …

Pilot Bread: Try Alaska’s modern day version of hardtack

 Hardtack has been an emergency ration since time immemorial. Here’s a look at pilot bread, a modern day version of hardtack that is widely used in rural Alaska. And here’s why it should be considered for your survival gear. by Leon Pantenburg I’ve carried and eaten hardtack since my time in the Confederate infantry, and …