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Jason Thoune, bravo 1, best all around knife

Bark River Bravo 1 3v – Possibly the Perfect Hard Use Knife

 515 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

How many times have we heard “What knife would you pick for…” (fill in the occasion)?
Most of us can only base our opinions on a few knives. Jason Thoune has access to literally thousands of knives in all shapes, sizes, steels, handles and grinds. Here is the knife he chooses.

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knivesshipfree.com, best knife store, best knives

Survival Knives

The Mora sheath, top needs to be modified for safe carry. The Feather Stick comes with a leather dangler.

What are the best choices for backpacking knives?

 600 394 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

How do you balance weight versus practicality in a backpacking knife?

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Hunting and Fishing

why hunt, best hunting knife, deer hunting

Five reasons why I hunt

 600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Suppose you, a hunter, are approached by a person neutral on the subject who is genuinely seeking some information. Here some thoughts on being a hunter, and some reasons why hunting is a good idea.

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Make Fire

mini BIC lighter for survival fire making, survival fire making,make fire

How To: Combine charcloth and a non-functional lighter for ignition

 600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Suppose your butane and/or Zippo-style lighter both fail, but continue to spark. Here is how you can use a piece of charcloth to catch a spark and get that initial ignition.

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Clothing

My footwear: flip-flops, running shoes, Merrill walking shoes, Danner day hikers, Cabellas Outfitters and Sorel snow boots. One of these pairs of shoes will take care of my needs.

How to pick the best pair of hunting/hiking boots

 600 197 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

You can’t compromise quality on hiking boots. Sore, wet, cold feet can ruin an outing and could become . In the worst case scenario, inadequate footwear could create a survival situation. Here is how to pick the right boots.

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Survival Skills

flash flood, prepare for flash flood, Harvey flooding

Flash Floods: Plan Ahead For Quick Reaction

 600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness
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More people die of drowning in the desert than of thirst, and that is usually because they were surprised by a flash flood. Learn how to avoid that situation!

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Survival Gear

elk hunting, tips for big game hunters, best hunting knife

Five tips to prepare for western big game hunting

 600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Got tags for that first western big game hunting trip? Start preparing now! Like right now!

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Camp Cooking | Storage Food

Lightweight trail food for backpacking

Five freeze dried foods to use on camping trips

 600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

There is a whole population of us baby boomers who are too young to slow down, but too old to carry heavy packs. For me, going lightweight in my gear selections is no longer optional. Integrating freeze dried foods into the menu can cut unnecessary ounces.

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Emergency Shelter

Set up a new tent in your backyard before taking it camping.

10 things to consider before buying a tent

 600 311 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Thinking about investing in a new tent for camping season? Here are some things to consider.

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VIDEOS | TIPS & HOW TO's

Altoids tine survival kit, survival gear
Video: How to make an Altoids tin pocket survival kit
 600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

The only survival gear you have is what you have with you. And that gear is only as good as your ability to use it! Here’s what I carry in my Altoids Tin survival kit.

Here is a Trekker completely disassembled. With no moving parts to break or get jammed, the Kelly Kettle is extremely reliable.
Survival kits: Video gear review of the Kelly Kettle Trekker backpacking stove
 553 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Biomass-fueled outdoor implements are the way to go, IMO, and here is a great way to cook and boil water quickly, using sticks, twigs and other forest debris.

Survival recipe video: How to cook trout in foil over a campfire
 448 299 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Does your area have stocked fishing ponds for kids? Here is a great fishing and cooking method to “hook” the youngsters!.

RECENTLY FEATURED POSTS

For Wilderness and Urban Safety: Attach a whistle to your child
 600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

You can only yell for help as long as your voice lasts. Here’s why you need to carry a whistle.

Crappie are a prolific panfish, widely distributed and fun to catch and eat! (ODFW photo)
Recipe: Crappie chowder, a tasty way to cook panfish with storage foods
 289 174 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

A great comfort food on a cold night, or in camp after a successful day of fishing is chowder. If you can use some of the catch to make dinner that night, that is an added bonus.

Leon Pantenburg writes a survival skills blog with tips and techniques to help average people survive an unexpected urban or wilderness emergency, using their common sense and emergency preparedness training. Topics include survival knives, survival clothing and camp cooking, making a fire, emergency shelter, hunting and fishing, competent survival skills and survival gear reviews.