How-to: Resist and Repel Home Invaders

FOOD
WATER
SHELTER
SECURITY Vol. 9 Issue 4
COMMS
HEALTH

TREES
OF LIFE
Where to Source
Survival Essentials
in Northern Climates TU LAM SHARES HIS
TREASURES WARRIOR SECRETS
FROM
TRASH
Upcycling Saves
Money—and Lives
GET OVER A CALL
THE SHOCK! TO ARs
Alternatives for Is This the Calm Before
a Grid-Down World the Price Increase Storm?
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 FEATURES
12
RONIN TACTICS IS ON A MISSION
Tu Lam shares his inner warrior with his students.
By Michael D’Angona

46
A CALL TO ARs
Is this the calm before the price increase storm?
By Paul Rackley

80
SOURCE SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS IN THE
NORTH
Lifesaving trees of the colder climates
By Reuben Bolieu

HOW-TO
34
FROM TRASH TO TREASURE
Upcycling saves money—and lives.
By Peter Suciu

70
CLEAR FROM PRESENT DANGER
Protect your family from home invaders.
By Paul Rackley

90
GET OVER THE SHOCK
Powerful alternatives for when the grid goes down 34
By Christopher Nyerges
8 70
REVIEWS
24
THE ESEE ASHLEY KNIFE’S GOT GAME
Be ready for any outdoor adventure with this game knife.
By Reuben Bolieu

62
TWO WINNING PAIRS
Two knife industry innovators team up on a dynamic duo.
By Jim Cobb

AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE (ISSN 2331-8937) is published 12 times a year—January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December—by Engaged Media, LLC,
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Engaged Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST #855050365RT001 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement
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4 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

80 46

GEAR
GUIDE
54
HIGH-TECH EYES AND EARS
PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS WITH
SERIOUS SURVEILLANCE GEAR
24 44 By Michael D’Angona

12

DEPARTMENTS

6
FIRST WORDS

8
NEW PRODUCTS
90 62

44
PREPPER PLANT ADVISOR

98
LAST WORDS
Some articles in this issue might
include stock images that are the
property of Getty Images.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 5


THE MORE YOU SWEAT IN TRAINING,
THE LESS YOU BLEED IN COMBAT
A
number of years ago, I had the
“pleasure” of spending a day at a local
police department’s training range.
At the time, I was a product manager
for a well-known tactical products
company, and some of us were invited to spend some
time with a few of the tactical officers to learn more
about their work in the hope that we could create new
and useful clothing and gear for them.
I had been involved in supplying products to military,
law enforcement and survivalists/outdoorsmen for
many years before that day and had countless conver-
sations with LEOs about their work and the tools they
used to perform their jobs. I had heard a lot of stories
and detailed explanations of routine and unusual calls
and considered myself fairly well-versed in the tactics
and tools employed by these folks.
That is, until my day at the range.
The primary focus of the range visit was to familiar-
ize ourselves with the types of firearms used by the
force. We also had the opportunity to work through
some scenarios the officers encountered on a regular
basis.
Even though I’d had all those conversations with
officers for years and felt I had a decent grip on what
their job entailed, I was out of my comfort zone for
most of the day.
Finally, we got to the traffic stop segment. I relaxed
a bit, because I actually had some experience with
this situation—albeit from a different perspective.
We were there for a realistic look at their routine,
so we donned body armor and training helmets with
ballistic visors and strapped on handguns that were
loaded with sim rounds.
They staged two cars—an undercover vehicle and a
minivan—just as you’d expect to see them parked for
a traffic stop. The minivan had two occupants (one of
the trainers and one of my colleagues). The goal was
for us to simulate a “simple” traffic stop, which was
something I previously thought of as an unassuming
task. I was looking forward to this, because I already
had the “license, registration and insurance card,
please” phrase memorized from past experience, and
6 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
I figured the rest would come naturally.
Our handlers gave us a few pointers and reminded
us of the safety conversation we had at the beginning
of the day and then proceeded to start the exercise.
Long story short: In my three attempts at executing
a nice, simple traffic stop, I shot the dashboard in the
police vehicle, was killed twice and shot an innocent
passenger in the forehead!
January, March, April, Prepper Spring/Summer, June, July, August, September,
I learned a brutal lesson about the importance of
training that day. Talking, reading, watching videos
and the like are no substitute for real training,
especially where stress, unpredictable people and
unfamiliar situations come together at one place
and time.
This humbling experience came back to me when
the opportunity to interview Tu Lam, owner of
Ronin Tactics, was suggested by Amber Hargove,
an American Survival Guide social media contrib-
utor. ASG has talked forever and regularly about
the importance of training. This interview would
be a great way to show some of what you should
expect to get out of the training sessions you take,
regardless of the topic.
Michael D’Angona’s interview with Lam puts a bright
light on what motivates the better trainers. Regard-
less of the topics they’re teaching, if they don’t have
first-hand experience, a passion for the subject matter
and dedication to improving their students’ capabil-
ities, you would not be well-served to spend (waste)
both your time and money with them.
Amber took a three-part Ronin Tactics course. Her
impressions of the training follow Lam’s interview.
A 12-year U.S. Army veteran with two Middle East
deployments, Amber was impressed by what she
learned in her short time at Ronin Tactics—which
is clearly the desired outcome when one invests in
self-improvement activities.
The key takeaway? Train in the best environment
you can afford and practice the skills and learning
you pick up to ensure you’ll be in the best position to
protect yourself and your family.
All the best!
Mike McCourt
VOL. 9 ISSUE 04
EDITORIAL
Mike McCourt Brand Manager
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 BY MIKE TRAVIS
1 2
Kimber Rapide Black Ice
1911 Pistol
The name, “Kimber,” is synonymous with
premium-quality .45 ACP 1911 pistols. The
new Rapide (Black Ice) edition is a unique
take on the classic 1911 design. It features
stepped cocking serrations and lightening
cuts on the slide. The stainless steel slide
and frame use the two-tone Kimpro finish,
and the barrel has received a DLC coating
for extreme durability. Gripping surfaces are
enhanced with a stippled frontstrap and 3D
machined G10 grips. The pistol is finished
off with Tru-Glo TFX day/night sights.
MSRP: $1,490
KimberAmerica.com
8 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
1 2
3 4
Auto Ordinance Don’t
Tread On Me 1911
Auto Ordinance has made its name making
historically accurate modern recreations of
weapons, such as the venerable Thompson
Submachine gun, M1 Carbine and Browning
1911 handgun. The new Don’t Tread On Me
1911 is built on the company’s standard
GI-specification 1911. The pistol features a
5-inch barrel, steel frame and sights, wood
grips and a capacity of seven rounds of .45
ACP. This model pays homage to the 1775
Gadsden Flag used by Continental Marines
during the Revolutionary War. It incorporates
custom engraving on the slide and frame and
specially carved wooden grips.
MSRP: $1,240
Auto-Ordnance.com
3 4
Kimber EVO SP Select Canik TP9 Elite
When Kimber first announced the EVO SP, Sub Compact
it proclaimed that it was designed to be the
Canik made a name for itself by providing
ultimate choice in concealed-carry pistols.
high-quality, feature-rich, reliable firearms
The pistols in the Kimber EVO line are 9mm,
at affordable prices. The new TP9 Elite Sub
striker-fired, metal-framed pistols with
Compact continues this trend. The new pistol
tight tolerances and a slick, concealable
features a 3.6-inch barrel and a 6.7-inch OAL.
design. The new SP Select carries over all
The pistol is 1.45 inches wide, weighs only
the features that make the EVO a standout
24.78 ounces and has a 12-round standard
design but eliminates all nonessential frills
capacity. The slide features a tungsten coating
and features. This pistol uses a hardcoat
for corrosion resistance and comes standard
FNC finish, dovetailed, 3-dot steel sights,
with an optics-ready slide cut for direct co-
interchangeable grip panels and a clean, 6-
witnessing with the included sights. The pistol
to 7-pound trigger pull. Its 19-ounce weight,
comes with a flush-fit, 12-round magazine and
6-inch length and 1-inch thickness mean that
an extended, 15-round magazine. Additionally,
the EVO will be a joy to carry for extended
it is delivered with a holster that can be set up
periods of time.
for IWB or belt carry.
MSRP: $599 MSRP: $399
KimberAmerica.com CanikUSA.com
W
ith a tax refund from Uncle Sam imminent and the possibility of a new administration in the federal government, it’s
time to seriously think about where to spend your money.
Preparedness and security start with you. Are you ready to defend yourself, your loved ones or the place you call
home? If you are prepared to take responsibility for your personal security, we, at American Survival Guide, have
compiled a list of new items that might help make that responsibility a little easier to bear.

5 6
7 8

5 6
Italian Firearms Group
Howda Alaskan
Davide Pedersoli has been making historically
accurate firearms from the American
West since the 1950s. The Howda pistol
was originally introduced to be a modern
recreation of the famous Ithaca Auto &
Burglar from the 1920s. The break-action
weapon features twin 10.25-inch barrels,
each chambered for both .45 Colt and 3-inch
.410 shotgun shells. High-quality sights
were added, along with a modified pistol
grip for easier handling. The Alaskan builds
on the success of the original, adding a
hard-chromed finish and a modified rubber-
overmolded wood stock, giving it extreme
weather resistance—making it the perfect gun
for in the truck or around the camp.
MSRP: $1,350
ItalianFirearmsGroup.com
Inland M30 Series
Carbine and Pistol
In 1941, the .30 carbine was developed to
provide military support personnel with a
firearm that would provide more firepower than
the 1911 but half as much as the M1 Garand. The
little rifle proved to be so popular that it served
with distinction throughout World War II and
the Korean Conflict. During that time, Inland
Manufacturing produced more than 3 million
of these rifles. This old warhorse has now been
brought into the 21st century. The all-new billet
aluminum chassis system allows the carbine to
be built in either carbine or pistol configuration.
The chassis is fully compatible with AR-15
buttstocks and pistol grips and allows for the
easy attachment of sights, optics, lights and
other accessories.
MSRP: Starting at $1,559
Inland-Mfg.com
7 8
McMillan MC3 Stocks Alexander Arms .50
McMillan is the premier manufacturer of Beowulf Walnut Stock
high-end synthetic gunstocks. They are
Alexander Arms is the originator of the large-
the gold standard and can be found on the
caliber AR-15 platform weapons system and
rifles of armed professionals and hunters
has been refining the .50 Beowulf cartridge
around the world. Using its 40 years of
and weapons system for more than 10 years.
experience and new, state-of-the-art
The cartridge was designed to provide .45-70
technology, McMillan is introducing its new
level performance and deliver devastating
MCc3 injection-molded, polymer stock
stopping power at short to moderate distances
systems. Made with a proprietary polymer
from a reliable, lightweight semiautomatic
that is stiffer, stronger and more wear- and
carbine. The Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf
abrasion-resistant than its competitors,
has a proven track record with hunters, the
MC3 stocks are offered in both tactical and
military and law enforcement. New for 2020,
hunting variants and are available with a
Alexander Arms has taken its powerhouse rifle
variety of options. MC3 stocks are made in
and outfitted it with a beautiful walnut stock,
the U.S.A. and are backed with McMillan’s
forearm and pistol grip.
impeccable customer service.
MSRP: Starting at $1,554
MSRP: Starting at $269
AlexanderArms.com
MC3stocks.com

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 9


9 10
TPS Arms M6 Scout Rifle
From 1952 until the early 1970s, the U.S.
Air Force issued the M6 Aircrew Survival
Weapon to assist downed airmen scavenge
for food. The firearm featured a .22 Hornet
over a .410 shotgun barrel. Today, TPS Arms
is dedicated to taking this firearm to the
next level by offering its own design. The
TPS Arms M6 Scout Rifle features enhanced
triggers, improved extractors, choke tubes,
customizable storage compartments and
all-new caliber selections. New for 2019–
2020, the TPS Arms M6 is available in .357
magnum/.38 special over .410 configuration.
This new configuration is sure to add a new
level of versatility to this venerable design.
MSRP: $625
TPSArms.com
10 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
9 10
11 12
Streamlight Protac
RailMount HL-X Laser
Streamlight now offers a new addition to
the Protac Rail Mount series of weapon
lights. Building on the success of the original
Rail Mount HL-X long-gun light, the HL-X
Laser incorporates a red laser module into
the housing for the 1,000-lumen LED white
light emitter. The integrated Rail-Grabber
system allows the light to be easily mounted
to a Picatinny rail and can be independently
rotated to assist in maintaining zero for the
laser. The new HL-X Laser maintains its
multi-fuel convenience, running on either an
18650 rechargeable battery or two (2) CR123
lithium batteries.
MSRP: $275
Streamlight.com
11
Streamlight TLR VIR II Gun
Light
Streamlight has long been a trusted source
for weapon-mounted lights for armed
professionals. The new TLR VIR II builds
on the bedrock of the TLR weapon light
systems by adding an infrared illuminator
and infrared laser to the mix. The TLR VIR
II starts with a 5,000-candela, 300-lumen
LED white light emitter. The light will
provide up to one and a half hours of run
time with the CR123 battery power source.
The 850nm IR LED and laser are optimized
for use with night vision and will run up to
12 hours. Everything is housed in a durable,
anodized-aluminum chassis that is IP67
water- and dust-resistant.
MSRP: $600
Streamlight.com
12
Tenicor MALUS SOL AIWB
Holster
Tenicor builds some of the best concealment
holsters on the market. The MALUS SOL
brings real concealability to full-sized,
light-bearing handguns. The holster is a truly
minimalist design that strips away all excess
material, leaving you with just enough holster
to keep your weapon hidden and secure.
It features Tenicor’s unique body contour
that is anatomically designed to eliminate
hot spots and maximize concealment. The
new camming bar works with the contour
to rotate the grip back into the body when
mounted on a belt. Tenicor’s T1 belt clips
are adjustable, robust and extremely secure.
And, the MALUS SOL is cut to accommodate
most pistol optics available today.
MSRP: $109
Tenicor.com

13
Surefire XR-1
Handgun Light
The Surefire XR-1 is the company’s latest
entry into the ultra-compact weapon
light market. This is a groundbreaking
light in the Surefire lineup. Delivering
an unprecedented 600 lumens for 30
minutes, this little light rivals competitors
twice its size. The XR-1 weighs only 2.2
ounces and measures 2.46 inches in
length. Light is delivered using Surefire’s
MaxVision Beam technology, ensuring
a smooth, rounded beam with plenty of
peripheral light. The switches are fully
ambidextrous and easy to use. Best of all,
the light can be recharged via the included
magnetic charging cable—without ever
removing it from the weapon.
MSRP: $449
Surefire.com
13 14
15 16
14 15 16
Surefire Fury IntelliBeam Holosun HM3X Magnifier Surefire XVL-2 Pistol and
Dual Fuel Flashlight New for 2019, Holosun, a leader in Carbine Light and Laser
Surefire flashlights are trusted by millions
the electro-optical sight market, has Module
introduced the HM3X magnifier. It is
of soldiers, law enforcement personnel
designed to be the best value available for The new XVL-2 Pistol and Carbine Light
and civilians. The company’s reputation for
those looking to magnify their red-dot or and Laser Module is the next step in the
making high-quality, dependable, long-lasting
holographic optics systems. The magnifier evolution of combined target illumination
flashlights is well-deserved. The new Fury
provides 3X magnification, clear glass, and laser aiming devices. Lighting is provided
IntelliBeam builds on the success of the
generous eye relief and an adjustable by the 400-lumen LED MaxVision Beam
PX2 Fury and increases maximum output to
diopter for dialing in perfect focus. The illuminator. This light has been optimized for
1,500 lumens. The IntelliBeam technology
included flip-to-the-side mount features a both projected and peripheral illumination.
automatically senses ambient lighting
quick-detach mount and a spacer to allow The XVL-2 houses a dual laser system that
conditions and adjusts output from 15 to 1,500
for either absolute or lower-1/3 co-witness. includes a visible (520nm) green laser and an
lumens—without having to fumble through a
The system is IP67 rated for dust- and infrared (850nm) laser that is designed for
menu of options. A double press on the tailcap
water-resistance and is backed by the use with night vision. Everything is powered
activates maximum output and bypasses
Holosun limited lifetime warranty. by a single CR123 lithium battery and weighs
the auto-adjusting system. It runs on two
in at a mere 5 ounces.
(2) CR123 lithium-ion batteries or a single, MSRP: $235.28
economical 18650 rechargeable battery. MSRP: $1,349
Holosun.com
MSRP: $219 Surefire.com
Surefire.com
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 11
 TU LAM SHARES HIS
INNER WARRIOR WITH
HIS STUDENTS.
BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA

RONIN
TACTICS
IS ON A
MISSION
12 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
T
u Lam is the epitome of to-hand, combat blade tactics and firearms at age 11. Now, as an adult and looking back on my
many things—a loyal military childhood, I realize my strict upbringing gave me the structure I needed in my life to accomplish
member and a highly trained the things that are important to me, such as finishing college while fighting wars. My physi-
martial artist, weapons expert, cal discipline as a child had transferred to my discipline to finish some of the military’s most
firearm tactician, teacher and, demanding training and Special Operations assignments. The bullying and racism I endured as
finally, a soft-spoken and caring individual. a child gave me strength to not allow such a hateful mind but to instead show compassion to
However, words are just that: words. To truly others. At the time, I could not see the lesson, but I do now. The struggles I endured as a child
understand Tu’s mindset, physical abilities have given me the strength I needed to become the person I seek to be.
and prowess, as well as why his training
company, Ronin Tactics, is so well-regarded, ASG: The fact that the military has been a huge influence on your life is obvious. What,
American Survival Guide caught up with this however, was the catalyst that led you down the path to the U.S. armed forces? Was it
ever-active retired Special Forces operator through choice, necessity or something else entirely?
and explored what made him what he is
today, including the arduous, sometimes
dangerous, but truly fulfilling, path he took "'I AM RONIN.' THIS MEANS THAT NOW, AS
to get here.
A RONIN, I AM MASTER-LESS TO DO THE
American Survival Guide: What was your THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME AS
childhood like as you were growing up, and A HUMAN BEING."
was your life then instrumental in creating
the man you are today?
Tu Lam: Unfortunately, growing up the in
1980s as an Asian American (South Vietnam-
ese) during the post-Vietnam War years near
the biggest Army base in the United States
(Fort Bragg, North Carolina) was not so easy.
I was called more racist names than I care to
recall. I was bullied and beaten daily for look-
ing different. Usually, these racist child acts
were supported by their racist adult parents.
My family didn’t come from money, and
we didn’t have much. My stepfather raised
us with a very strict military upbringing.
Higher education was a requirement, and we
dedicated many hours to our academics. In
public school, we had a dress code—enforced
by my stepfather.
My stepfather had a welding business that
was started by my step-grandfather after
he returned home from the Korean War. My
stepfather engineered and manufactured
Special Operations assault ladders, along
with many other requirements from the
military’s more specialized units.
Growing up, our days were long, with no
days off. We went to school on school days
and worked throughout the weekends.
During the summer breaks, we would work
seven days a week. If we were not working at
the welding shop, we were working at home.
Our days usually started at 6:00 a.m. with
The Ballad of the Green Berets (the Special
Forces song). My stepfather was a former
Army drill sergeant, so physical training was
developed early in our childhood.
Growing up in a military household, we were
trained on weapons. I started training in hand-

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 13

 › As a young boy,
TL: My understanding from birth was one Tu Lam escaped
of war. I was born out of war. America’s Vietnam and,
after an arduous
[combat] involvement in the Vietnam journey, made it to
War lasted from 1965 to 1973. I was born the United States.
(Photo: Tu Lam)
in Saigon, Vietnam [at that time, South
Vietnam] on December 17, 1974, during
the failing state for the South Vietnamese
government. During this phase of the war,
American troops had withdrawn from Viet-
nam. This event left a devastating impact
on the South Vietnamese people. My family
was pulled out onto the streets. My uncles
who had served alongside the American
military were gunned down, and my other
uncles were imprisoned in “re-education”
camps [that is, torture camps].
When I was 2 years old, I escaped on an
overstuffed wooden boat with hundreds
of other refugees. Pirates from surrounding
countries anchored us down and pulled us
back into the ocean on lines. They then shot
our motor and cut the lines, leaving us out in
the middle of the water to die. By the grace
of God, a Russian supply boat picked us up as
it came out of Vietnam. It dropped us off at a
refugee camp in Indonesia, where we had to
live off the land for close to a year.
My mother eventually remarried after we
made it to the United States. My stepfather
and my uncle (who sponsored our [citizen-
ship] paperwork to the United States) were
both Special Forces Green Berets. From a very
young age, I was taught to understand the
complexities of the Special Forces mission.
I realized at 11 years old that the Green "FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE, I WAS TAUGHT
Berets were my ticket to help fight and free TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF
oppressed people. THE SPECIAL FORCES MISSION."
‹ Near left: This is a
photo of Tu Lam’s
father, who is wearing
an MA-1 flight jacket.
(Photo: Tu Lam)

‹ Far left: Tu Lam’s

military service
brought him to Iraq,
among other places.
(Photo: Tu Lam)

14 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 ASG: It’s human nature that some people
just make the wrong choice and discover the
military is not for them. Was there a distinc-
tive event that convinced you the military
was, indeed, the right path for you?
TL: I can’t think of one distinctive event
that confirmed I was on the right path. There
were times that made me question my
path; but now, looking back, it was the right
path for me. As a Green Beret, I’ve helped
free thousands from modern-day genocide
and slavery. I‘ve fought against evil, and I’ve
helped protect our country during times of
war. My struggles have given me the strength
to endure, because I understand that through
the struggles, one will find himself.
‹ Martial arts are an integral part of Tu
Lam’s approach to Ronin Tactics’ self-
defense programs. (Photo: Tu Lam)
ASG: “Ronin” is defined as a “wandering samurai who no longer serves a lord.” How and why
does that mirror your own ways and the philosophies of your present-day training courses?
TL: I‘ve also dedicated my life to the martial arts, and I choose to walk a certain path—a
path to understanding. In the path to the teachings of “bushido” [the warrior’s path], one
must give back, for I belong to the warrior in whom the old ways have joined the new. In
my path as a modern-day ronin, I choose to help the good in this world. In this evolution of
my life, I have become a teacher to many as my team and I travel around the United States
to help safeguard the lives of the innocents by teaching them the tools that kept me alive
during my time in wars and conflicts.
ASG: Speaking of those courses, what inspired you to venture into that type of project?
TL: In the path of bushido or the martial artist, it is important in one’s development to give
back for the betterment of the world. I seek to do this through my teachings of a ronin.
ASG: Can you give a little background on your martial arts training and how the discipline
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 15
 › Near right: At the
shooting range, some
of the Ronin Tactics
trainees are shown
learning proper
firearm handling and
shooting techniques.
(Photo: Bobby
Bushcraft)

‹ Above: Always
aspect of the arts has complemented your military training? new field of study you would like to begin? observing and
evaluating
his classes’
TL: In my understanding of forms and styles, one must develop a discipline to adapt to the TL: Without the mind, movements are just participants, Tu
Lam makes sure
situation and the environment. I started my traditional martial arts training at age 8. As a that … only movements. I seek to train in the conditions are safe
child, this training provided me with the structure and discipline I needed as an adult to serve ways of “zazen” or “Zen” mind. I find in this and productive
during the weekend
on the Special Forces A-Teams. I have studied many forms of combat throughout my travels. practice of “mindfulness” that I am able to events. (Photo: Tu
I have adapted many forms to my “formless style.” I pull the techniques and tactics from process my gunfighting or hand-to-hand Lam)
different forms as needed. During my time in war, I have employed martial arts to enhance my with a clearer focus. My ability to process
speed, agility, balance, power, etc. These movements, along with my understanding of Special speed and timing has greatly enhanced,
Operations strategy, is my form of martial art. because I am training to control my emotions.
By eliminating emotions, one can think with
ASG: As a practitioner of the martial arts myself, I fully understand that training and learning a clear mind.
never end. In what area of training do you feel you still have much to learn, if any, or is there a
ASG: Do you feel that the seven key
principles of the bushido code, followed
by the samurai of ancient Japan, would be
beneficial for modern-day people throughout
their daily lives?

TL: Any higher code is beneficial to human

life. A personal code is the philosophy you
have about life and the way you wish to live
it. A code is determined by what you want
to be defined as and the values you wish to
work toward. The bushido code is a warrior’s
code. This code came out of the war-state
periods of ancient Japan. The code means to
“readily accept death”—to lay down one’s life
for the service of their “daimyo” [powerful
Japanese feudal lord]. In order to lay down
‹ Left: Tu Lam sur-
one’s life, they must believe and live by a veys part of the train-
code. As a modern-day warrior, I have lived by ing ground for one
of his Ronin Tactics
a code. Green Berets have a code; and, as a weekend courses.
martial artist, I live my life by a code. I do feel (Photo: Tu Lam)

16 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 and how to create the time needed to
employ weapons. In this seminar, we employ
edged-weapons tactics to fight and how to
move off the center line of an opponent.
Day two is usually our “Combat Pistol”
‹ Left: Each Ronin
course. Tactics and the employment of a
Tactics trainee is tactical pistol involve the combat application
assessed individually
and advised on their
of a pistol, meaning that we break down the
progress and perfor- tactics portion (strategy) and the physical
mance. (Photo: Bobby
Bushcraft)
portion or movements (marksmanship) of a
combat pistol.
In this course, we have taken the hard les-
sons learned during times of war and applied
them to our combat pistol course. What I
find is that many students usually have to
retrain on a certain pistol fundamental that
might have worked for them in slow aim-fire
applications. In combat, it is about speed and
accuracy, and we push our students to under-
stand and develop this relationship through
our drills. We find this course to be extremely
popular, because it pushes the students past
their comfort zone.
that one must live by a set of rules. Day three is our “Combat Carbine” course. As
in our Combat Pistol course, we break down
ASG: Explain a typical three-day course that the “average Joe” would experience at Ronin the tactics portion (strategy) and how this
Tactics. relates to different skills needed in combat
marksmanship. This course starts off with
TL: Our three-day Ronin Tactics course usually begins with our “Streetfighter” seminar. In ‹ Below: Tu Lam confirming zero on the weapon’s optic and the
this course, I give you my experience as a Special Forces soldier in combat and while living teaches members of ballistic data collected at different ranges. We
law enforcement, as
in hostile areas. I explain the training, mindset and tactics that kept me alive. With tactics well as civilians and go over range-to-threat and how to properly
comes execution, and I teach my individual execution of things. We briefly go over the others who want to adjust point of aim to the desired impact,
improve their skills.
history of martial arts and weapons. We talk over range-to-threat and distance-to-threat (Photo: Tu Lam) based on range and ballistics. Students will
revisit the rifle fundamentals to ensure their
trained fundamentals will meet our training
instructions. This is not a beginner’s course
and requires the student to perform combat
drills under stressful conditions.

ASG: Describe the benefits—physically,

mentally and emotionally—that one can gain
after taking one or more of your courses.

TL: We have been running our tactical

courses for more than four years now. Our
courses are very popular and usually sell out
within 24 hours after releasing them.
I seek to understand the students and
develop each individual based on this
understanding. Our courses are not just about
understanding martial arts or a firearm; they
are about students understanding a deeper
meaning in themselves as they push through
our style of training.
We find that most students walk away
with a deeper understanding of a warrior’s
mindset. Many are returning students, and I

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 17


usually see physical and mental changes in
them. They are usually proud to share how
our training not only developed their com-
Lam is prepared to
bat skills but also how it developed their
inner selves. Understand that the martial
arts are not just about physical movement;
if applied correctly, martial arts are a higher
form of living.
18 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
ASG: Taking the first step when trying new things might be difficult for many people, so what
advice or words of motivation would you say to get them over that hump and start some
training?
TL: By the time they make it to our courses, they are usually ready to train. Most, if not all, are
excited for the training. Our courses are very challenging, so we have seen a few students fail to
meet our course standards.
When I teach, I show the students the standards for the training day and throughout the day.
I develop the student’s skills through a series of training sessions developed to meet the day’s
standards. If the students fail, I simply remind them that “a journey of 1,000 miles begins with
a single step” and that today is their first step. I show them the standards and develop a train-
ing program they can use to continue to develop themselves when I’m not around. As a martial
artist, I teach my students the importance of controlling the mind, as well as the method and
training I use to develop stillness of the mind.
ASG: Your website mentions your “unconventional training strategies.” Can you explain how
these are beneficial to a person’s learning experience when they take your courses?
‹ Above: Bad
situations
occur virtually
TL: America won its independence from the British using “unconventional tactics.” As
anywhere, so Tu Green Berets, we are masters of unconventional warfare. The Special Forces Green Berets
instruct students
were officially activated by President John F. Kennedy to combat guerrilla warfare during
on operations in the Vietnam War. Our unconventional training strategies are driven based on my deep
a wide variety of
scenarios.
understanding of this effective form of fighting. In my training, I teach an unclassified
(Photo: Tu Lam) form of these unconventional tactics to help ensure the survivability of our students while
engaging in some of the complex situations they are facing in today’s modern world.
I do have an unconventional approach to my training. I’ve developed this skill throughout
my 23 years of service, having trained foreign military, militants and rebels throughout ASG: Can you recall any situations on the
warzones and areas of conflicts. Knife or Death set when things just didn’t go
as planned or when any of the challengers
ASG: Knife or Death, seen on The History Channel, appears to perfectly complement your didn’t take criticism too well?
extensive experience and expertise in the “knife world.” What was the process that eventually
led you to co-host this show? TL: No. The Knife or Death staff was very
professional and, for the most part, listened
TL: Because I am a ronin, I teach a lot. I have traveled around the United States to teach to my opinions. I’ve enjoyed working with
law-abiding civilians and, in this process, I have taught major police departments and military the network. As far as the competitors are
units. One of the courses I offer is the combat application of a blade. As a martial artist and a concerned, I’ve enjoyed meeting them and
Green Beret, I have trained extensively on hand-to-hand and blade tactics. Now, as a ronin, I watching them give their all during the
like to share my training with my students and followers on social media. course. This reality show has introduced me
After roughly three years of offering training, I received an e-mail from The History Channel, to the blade community and has allowed me
which asked if I could do a phone interview about an upcoming show with Bill Goldberg and a look into the competitive blade world.
the show’s producer. I agreed, and during the phone interview, Goldberg and I hit it off. Bill is a
great guy and is now one of my personal friends. The interview went great, and the producer ASG: You have been exposed to all types of
offered me the position to co-host. blades throughout your career, but have any
of the blades from Knife or Death absolutely
ASG: Did you have any initial concerns or apprehension that perhaps being on a “reality” “blown you away”?
show—no matter how true it is to the craft—could negatively impact your reputation?
TL: I have seen many blades from around
TL: No. Life is about experiencing new things. In the military, we are very regulated about how the world throughout my military career. Yes,
we should think and how we should conduct ourselves. I agree that there should be a military Knife or Death has blown my mind with some
discipline throughout the services, but in this evolution of my life, I seek to live and do the of the blades that show up to the show.
things I wish to do, given the freedoms I helped protect during my time serving in the military. I What I like is the thought process behind the
wish to live the life true to myself and not a life based on others’ opinions. competitors choosing their blades. I have

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 19

 WHERE TO SIGN UP
Ronin Tactics, Inc.
(719) 424-7958
Ronin Tactics.com
Tu@RoninTactics

20 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 ‹ Tu Lam is slim and comfortable profile that contours
“hands-on” with a
trainee at one of his with the natural lines of the user's palm.
self-defense classes. The thumb ramp that runs down the spine
(Photo: Bobby
Bushcraft) of the blade provides improved traction
while using it in either a blade or saber
position. (The Sakura is available for sale to
the public at www.RoninTactics.com.)

ASG: Without a doubt, you have led an

exciting and adventurous life to this point.
But what is still missing—if anything—that
you would still like to pursue?

TL: Life is a journey. My military career was

full of challenges that allowed me to grow
as a human being. My accomplishments of
the past are just that—the past. In this evo-
lution of my life, I seek to develop my new
life adventures as I seek to pursue becoming
‹ Below: Classes
are not 100 percent
the person I wish to be in life and death.
physical. Tu Lam
also educates
and enlightens
ASG: Using only three words, how would
on mental and you describe Tu Lam?
philosophical
levels—refined
through his many TL: “I am ronin.” This means that now, as a
years of experience
in the field. (Photo:
ronin, I am master-less to do the things that
Bobby Bushcraft) are important to me as a human being.

learned so much seeing different blades used throughout history—all in one place. I have
seen so many great blades representing the competitors’ background and blade discipline.
I guess what absolutely blew me away was that I’ve seen a samurai sword wrap around a
block of ice. It’s amazing to see!

ASG: What is your current knife-of-choice for everyday carry?

TL: The Ronin Tactics Sakura Blade, which was designed to be rapidly employed and used
as an extreme-close-quarters weapon. The ring allows the user to quickly spin from a pick/
reverse grip to an extended blade position. The Sakura’s double-edged tip allows the blade
to effectively trap, cut and penetrate through muscle and soft tissue areas without binding
the blade. The ring dimension was designed to be used with or without tactical gloves,
allowing the blade to lock or spin freely as needed. The curved, tapering handle provides a

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 21

 MBER HARGROVE
AINS WITH RONIN TACTICS
mber Hargrove, former U.S.
Army sergeant, Naked and
Afraid contestant and an
all-around outdoorswom-
an, traveled to Colorado to
experience Tu Lam’s Ronin Tactics three-
day training event. This rigorous blend of
street-fighting tactics, shooting courses
and edged-weapon defensive and offensive
techniques put Amber to the test physically,
mentally and emotionally. She completed her
weekend course, dusted herself off and shared
her experiences with American Survival Guide.
ASG: What was your first impression of
Tu Lam upon meeting him and of the Ronin
Tactics facility itself?
Amber Hargrove: When I met Tu Lam for
the first time, I thought, This guy is the real
deal! You see him in videos and on social
media, and he is every bit what you see as a
larger-than-life bad-ass.
However, he is much more than that. Tu
Lam says what he means and means what
he says. He seeks the truth in all aspects
‹ Tu Lam and Hargrove take some time to relax after the day’s training
events at the shooting range. (Photo: Bobby Bushcraft)
22 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
‹ Above left: Amber of life and lives by the principles he shares with his students. He has become ronin and is an
Hargrove enjoyed
and learned a incredible teacher who is also calm, mild-mannered and humble. He is a very inspirational
great deal from person who makes you feel special in his presence—even though you might have just met him.
the “streetfighter”
segment of the
training event she ASG: What type of courses did you take over the three days at Ronin Tactics?
attended. (Photo:
Bobby Bushcraft)
AH: I took the three-day course training package. Day one was the “Streetfighter” course.
‹ Above right: This was my favorite training; the hand-to-hand knife defense was exciting and fun. I literally
Hargrove and her
training partner got laid out during this course, with my legs wiped out from under me. I had to work especially
use Ronin Tactics’ on my footing. Day two was the “Combat Pistol” course, learning the basic fundamentals for
own Sakura training
knives in the self- shooting a handgun. But then, Tu Lam threw in the combat training, using speed and accuracy.
defense classes. He was a beast during this training. It was a completely controlled environment, and the train-
(Photo: Bobby
Bushcraft) ing was the best I’ve ever experienced with shooting. The last day was the “Combat Carbine”
course. With this day, I had flashbacks from my days in the Army. But Tu Lam trains you how to
put accuracy and speed together as one movement. His demonstrations were intense to watch
and motivated you to want to be faster and controlled.
ASG: Describe the professionalism of your instructors. Did they make you feel at ease with all
the material throughout each course?
AH: This was one of the best training courses I’ve ever attended. As an Army veteran of 12
years, and with two combat tours, I can say I would have loved to have this training prior to my
deployments to prepare for the missions. Tu and his assistant were incredibly professional and
always made you feel safe in your environment.
ASG: Describe the intensity level of the courses you took. Did they match or exceed your own
personal limits?
AH: The training, itself, exceeded all expectations—and more. During each course, I learned
so much more than I had expected. Tu Lam’s energy and intensity really speak for themselves.
The environment turns into the reality of wanting to be the best you can be with his technique.
ASG: What was “downtime” like over the weekend? Were you able to get to know fellow
participants? If so, what were their impressions of the overall experience?
AH: During the training, there wasn’t much downtime. We trained 95 percent of the time. We
had water breaks throughout training, as well as a lunch break every day. There were so many
different personalities in the class, but I really enjoyed seeing a bunch of military personnel,
civilians and police officers in my training courses.
 Throughout the training, I asked students what they thought of it;
not one person said anything negative. Everyone was so excited to be
a part of this training as a path in life. Almost every student said they
would retake this course until they became perfect. Tu is incredibly
patient and cares about your performance throughout the training to
ensure what he taught you is implemented safely and correctly.

ASG: Was there any area of your training over the weekend that
you enjoyed so much that you would like to explore it in greater
detail on your own?

AH: I personally enjoyed the streetfighter course. There’s so much I

learned in just one training session about how to defend myself with
a knife. Throughout the day, you learn different stages of techniques.
They partner you up with another student, and Tu Lam trains you, step
by step, to create a rhythm. Once you learn the basic fundamentals,
you start training with a dummy knife. Then, you start putting all the
techniques together as one.

ASG: What did you personally take away, both physically and mentally,
from the three-day experience?

AH: I personally learned more about myself as an individual

throughout this three-day workshop. I realized I get frustrated when I
don’t know how to do something, but the fact is that throughout the
training course, you are walked, step by step, to ensure it is properly
done and until you feel comfortable with the techniques.

ASG: Based on your research of the program prior to actually

attending and then after you completed the courses, describe your
early expectations versus the reality of what you experienced.

AH: When I was doing my research about Ronin Tactics, the videos
were intense, and the training looked military based on Tu’s expe-
riences. I loved how exciting the training was—hands down—and
recommend this training for everyone.

ASG: What would you say to those debating whether or not to try a
weekend program at Ronin Tactics?

AH: If you are debating about whether to attend Tu Lam’s course,

I suggest going for it and taking what you can from Tu and his team.
It’s worth every minute of training. I now look back and realize how
grateful I am to have been a part of it.

ASG: Finally, what was your favorite part of the entire weekend—
and why?

AH: Meeting Tu was an honor. He has been through so much

throughout his life and experiences. He is somebody who will
motivate you to be a better person and combat fighter. Throughout
the three-day course, what I really enjoyed was that Tu personally
analyzes you as an individual and how you react to the training. When
you receive your counseling at the end of the training, he personally
gives his observation about you as an individual and then hands you
a certificate and a coin. I have such great respect for him as a person,
soldier and motivator.
 W
hen the mercury drops and the shadows grow longer at about 4 p.m.,
it’s a sure sign that “Old Man Winter” is here. The combination of
building my winter camp, cooking hearty meals outdoors and having
new gear to try out are just a few reasons to get me excited about
spending a few nights outside in the winter. I like to think of myself
as a “recovering gearaholic.” However, nothing gets most outdoorsmen or knife buffs more
excited about the woods than the chance to break in a new knife!

24 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 BE READY FOR ANY OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE WITH THIS GAME KNIFE

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 25

 “IF YOU ARE
LOOKING FOR A
WELL-ROUNDED
OUTDOORS/
HUNTING
KNIFE, LOOK NO
ASHLEY GAME KNIFE (AGK)
FURTHER: THE
When ESEE started consulting with experts
in their fields about designing knives specifi- AGK IS THE
cally for bushcraft, skinning, survival, carving, ‹ Above: Sheathing REAL DEAL.”
cooking and general outdoor use, it got input for the ESEE Knives
Ashley Game Knife
from some of the best folks out there. This comes standard
initiative has been a true testimony to the with a brown leather
belt sheath, but
fact that ESEE Knives listens to its customers. ESEE also offers
Knives has soared to a new level by developing more purpose-driven specialty knives from the
No longer the new kids on the block, ESEE an add-on option marriage between Rowen Manufacturing and the guys in the know!
from Armatus
Carry in True
Here’s one for the hunters. The new Ashley Game Knife (AGK) was designed by Ashley
Whiskey Brown for Emerson. A guide and hunter from Alaska to Africa, he’s used many different knives and
a more-natural look.
Pictured here is a
modified them to fit his needs. The AGK was born from his vast experience handling game
custom MultiCam in the field.
sheath from
Armatus Carry.
At first glance, it fits in with the look of other ESEE knives, but it’s not quite the company’s
typical blade style. This drop point has a bit of a soft recurve, making the width of the blade
ESEE Ashley Game narrower near the ricasso area than it is in the middle. This gives the blade a bit more belly.
Knife (AGK) The blade width allows for working inside the pelvic cavity of the average whitetail, and the
Specifications subtle sweep of the blade places the point in line with the handle. This still allows optimal
• Overall length: 8.25 inches drop point geometry and an edge that is continually curved. With no sharpening notch at
• Blade length: 3.5 inches
• Thickness: 0.156 inch ‹ Middle left: ESEE Knives’ Ashley Game
• Blade steel: 1095 high carbon; 55-57 Rc Knife, which features a black-oxide
• Finish: Black oxide, stone washed finish, 1095 carbon-steel blade and
• Handles: Canvas Micarta or G10 brown leather sheath, is ready for your
next big hunt.
• Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Sheath: Leather

MSRP: Starting at $166.06

‹ Bottom left: The extra length on the

handle lets you apply added leverage. The
guard, hex screws and recessed lanyard
hole make it a solid, durable handle—one
you’ll find on every ESEE knife.
› Top right: Armatus Carry’s
Architect model sheath seems
to be the company’s “calling
card” model. This is a MultiCam
version of the sheath that was
sent to the author. ESEE offers
a True Hide Whisky (brown)
color for this knife as an add-on,
and Armatus can custom build
any ESEE model’s sheath with
any color that it offers.

Armatus Carry Kydex

Sheath
Specifications
› Middle right: ESEE Knives • Material: Kydex/Holstex
teamed up with Armatus Carry (its • Belt attachment: Two (2) laminated nylon
Architect sheath model is pictured
soft loops with MIL-SPEC Pull-the-Dot snaps
here) to offer a knife/sheath duo to
keep you covered for life. • Thumb ramp for easy unsheathing
• Recessed index finger slot allows full grasp
of handle before unsheathing
the choil, you won’t have to worry about the knife catching on material such as hides. • Superior modularity, with accessory eyelets
spaced at 0.5-inch intervals
The lengths of both the blade and the handle have been optimized for leveraging jobs,
• Converts from right- to left-handed use with
such as splitting a sternum. In my opinion, 3.5 inches is the perfect length for a field knife the turn of a screw
W ight: 2 ounces

‹ Above: ESEE Knives’ Ashley Game

Knife comes in your choice of orange
G10 scales or canvas Micarta, along
with an attractive black-oxide finish. It
features a drop point blade shape, and
the handle is longer than the blade.

‹ Above: The ESEE AGK was pulling double
duty as a lid-lifter for the stewing pot and also
as a stew mixer. Every knife taken to a camp
needs to serve as a multi-tool.
28 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
‹ Top left: While making chicken
stew, the author used the AGK with
a baton to cleave through this semi-
frozen, bone-in chicken breast. It
served duty as both a cleaver and
kitchen knife during a winter camp.
‹ Middle left: As a food-prep knife, it
was obvious the AGK was meant to
slice and cut meat. The author made
chicken stew during a below-freezing
overnight camp trip in the Eastern
Woodlands.
“THIS DROP POINT HAS A BIT OF A SOFT
RECURVE, MAKING THE WIDTH OF THE
BLADE NARROWER NEAR THE RICASSO
AREA THAN IT IS IN THE MIDDLE. THIS
GIVES THE BLADE A BIT MORE BELLY.”
our tools. In a real-world situation in the outdoors, we have to make due with just two or
three. A camp knife is often pushed into the late innings, serving double and triple duty and
teetering on the edge of abuse. A cutting tool is made into many things in camp, including a
wood-splitter, pot-lifter and even a stirring spoon for coffee and stew.
The AGK was used to prepare and mix a winter stew when the temperatures dropped
below freezing. Put into service as a kitchen knife, the AGK was made for cutting all things
food related. I used a baton to help cleave through chicken bones. The AGK sliced celery,
mushrooms, carrots and onions with the ease of a kitchen knife, due to its flat grind. The
orange G10 scales proved to be non-slip throughout the food preparation process, despite icy
rain and snow coming down in camp.
There’s nothing like a little rain and snow to keep a camper under the tarp—or, as I call it,
“indoors.” I listened to the pitter-patter of the snow coming down on the tarp while I got
to know the AGK by way of carving. I roughed out a large spatula from a piece of seasoned
wood. Granted, it didn’t carve like my Scandinavian-ground knives, but it still had a keen
edge from the factory. The narrow portion of the blade, closer down toward the handle,
seemed to almost “catch” on the wood more, helping produce more curls in the wood
when I was rushing to make fuzz sticks for my dwindling wet-weather fire. This was also
obvious when I was carving some quick, yet much-needed, camp tools such as tongs and
a real coffee stirrer. Until now, the AGK had been stirring stew and coffee, which didn’t
bother me much!
Lifting the lid for my cook pot with the blade tip was another job assigned to the AGK.
Luckily, there was no noticeable chipping or edge loss, even after using a rock as a cutting
board for some tasks. The knife carved out roasting sticks and made other parts of camp
more comfortable.
I always feel that if you want to know if a knife handle is comfortable, you should make
something with the knife. The scales and handle shape will do all the talking, as will your
hand. Any protrusions or rough spots on the handle will be magnified when the handle is
 ‹ Above: While the standard leather sheath is set up for belt
carry for right-handers, the Kydex sheath can be adjusted for
either hand. The flexible straps can also be used to attach the
wet, adding that much extra abrasion and sting to the process. sheath to MOLLE webbing or pack straps. They can be removed
if you decide to neck carry.
The AGK’s G10 handles had more grip than the Micarta scales, which tend to smooth out after
some use (yet, they don’t get slippery—ever). For the majority of the testing, I used the G10
scales, because the foliage was getting thick, and eventually, the snow came. This environment
called for a color that would peer through the natural hues of the forest foliage: When it comes
to keeping track of tools, no matter how careful people are, we eventually get distracted. So,
rather than sheath the knife, we just lay it down and tend to something else. I know I do this
when cutting food or when the knife is just really dirty or wet. Then, I get that, “Oh, crap, where’s
the knife?” feeling. It doesn’t help if the knife blends in too much, so a handle that stands
out is important to me.
Emerson designed the length of the handle (approximately 5 inches) to be longer than
the blade for extra leverage that might be needed, rather than extra cutting edge and being

› Top and bottom, far right: The author

roughed out a large spatula for stirring the
stew and scraping ice off the tarp. Making
something is a good way to test out a knife
edge’s geometry and handle comfort.

› Near right: Food prep is an important part

of outdoor adventures. The ESEE AGK was
made for cutting all things food related.
Here, the author prepped onions, garlic
and peppers for a winter dinner—with ease,
thanks to the AGK.
 ‹ Far left: A bull elk is
being skinned with
the ESEE AGK. The
large handle makes
it easier for the user
to choke back for
certain tasks.

‹ Near left: The

AGK is used to skin
a wild hog from a
recent Texas hunt.
The knife blade
is suitable for a
variety of grips ...
which speaks to its
versatility.

able to choke back on the handle if needed. In that respect, I definitely agree. I like a smaller sharpening for the first four days of use.
blade and longer handle on just about anything besides a long chopping blade. When it did come down to sharpening, I used
a ceramic Mini Crock Stick from Lansky Sharp-
BLADE FINISH AND EDGE RETENTION eners—my go-to sharpener for touching up an
A word about the finish—which is not to be mistaken with a coating of sorts. The stone-
washed black oxide is a blade finish, not a coating. There is a stark difference between a
coating that inhibits rust and a finish that looks like a patina. I personally like the look of the
black oxide, which is really a tumble finish on bare metal (not to be confused with a patina).
I don’t worry much about rust and corrosion, and I use my knives in humid environments. I ARMATUS
CARRY
simply know that I use my knives enough on the sorts of things that will naturally patina
them before any corrosion sets in.
After using the AGK quite a bit in the wetness of winter, cutting veggies and meat or just
plain leaving it out on the cutting board, I didn’t notice any corrosion. This might have been a
different story if the weather had been humid. ARCHITECT
SHEATH
Edge retention is right on par with every other ESEE knife I have used. Despite the AGK’s
multi-tasking duties, which were not limited to just cutting, it fared well and needed no

“WITH THE OPTION OF ADDING AN

Sometimes, good gets better. ESEE Knives and
ARMATUS CARRY KYDEX SHEATH TO THE Armatus Carry have teamed up in a big way. A limited
MIX, YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST OF THE number of Architect sheath models will be offered
CUTTING—AND CARRYING—WORLDS.” directly from ESEE in what Armatus calls True Hide
Whiskey (brown) Kydex Sheathing. The Architect
sheaths employ the taco (fold-over) design that, when
compared to the two-piece (pancake) sheath style,
offers far superior levels of strength and durability.
The retention is set on each individual Architect sheath
so that the knife will seat firmly into place and will not
shake loose, providing the level of security vital to any
good survival or EDC sheath. The built-in thumb ramp
and recessed index finger cut allow you to draw your
knife quickly and smoothly, despite the firm retention of
the Architect Sheath.
The standard belt attachment for all Architect sheaths
is a laminated nylon soft loop featuring the excellent
MIL-SPEC Pull-the-Dot snap, which allows the sheath to
be adapted for OWB or IWB carry. The Architect sheath
is compatible with Tek-Lok and MALICE clips and the
IWB concealment clip, or it can be easily adapted for
neck carry using a length of paracord.
‹ Armatus sheaths are designed to be fully ambidextrous and carried on a belt, in scout style
or from a carabiner, lashed to packs and gear, or hung with a cord as a neck knife.

30 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 The Wharncliffe

New Year, New Knife at www.BradfordKnives.com

Available in M390 & V4E Steel 6.875" Overall Height Kydex Sheath
 “I ALWAYS FEEL THAT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW IF A KNIFE HANDLE
IS COMFORTABLE, YOU SHOULD MAKE SOMETHING WITH THE
KNIFE. THE SCALES AND HANDLE SHAPE WILL DO ALL THE
TALKING, AS WILL YOUR HAND.”

edge on any of my V-grind knives. If it gets brown pouch style with a belt loop. ‹ Above: ESEE
Knives’ Ashley
too dull, I start with stones and finish with In addition to the handsome leather that is standard on the AGK, ESEE offers another Game Knife comes
the Crock Stick, but I try not to ever let them option: Armatus Carry makes its Architect Sheath model for the AGK. It comes standard with with a black-oxide
blade finish, 1095
get that far gone, because it ends up being a a laminated nylon soft loop, including MIL-SPEC Pull-the-Dot snap. carbon steel and
lot of work to bring back the edge. All Armatus Carry sheaths are made from one piece of 0.08-inch Kydex for ultimate a brown leather
sheath. There are
durability. Armatus Carry makes the Architect Sheath to be fully ambidextrous, and it can also two handle
SHEATHS be carried on either side of the body and drawn from any direction. Armatus offers a more scale options:
canvas Micarta and
Since ESEE came out with the Camp-Lore durable way to keep your knife sheathed, regardless of the harshest environments. It is, in orange G10.
series, all of which come standard with every way, more resistant to the elements than any other materials I can think of. As if that
leather sheaths, the company has made a weren’t good enough, like ESEE, Armatus also has a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty.
few variations on the materials and style.
S O U R C E S
It seems ESEE hammered it down with its THE REAL DEAL
Camp-Lore and HM series. The classic hunter’s design of the ESEE Ashley Game Knife fits right in with the ESEE brand, Armatus, LLC
ArmatusCarry.com
Now, the AGK follows, sporting a leather and Ashley Emerson has proven to be a welcome addition to the ESEE family of contribu-
sheath that really captures the essence of tors. If you are looking for a well-rounded outdoors/hunting knife, look no further: The AGK is ESEE Knives
ESEEKnives.com
the knife. All ESEE Knives sheaths are made the real deal. With the option of adding an Armatus Carry Kydex sheath to the mix, you can
from U.S.A. leather, and each sheath is a have the best of the cutting—and carrying—worlds.

32 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

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 UPCYCLING CAN SAVE MONEY—AND LIVES.
BY PETER SUCIU

© GETTY IMAGES

34 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

T
here is no denying that we
live in a land of plenty. If we
need to do a quick repair
there is usually a Home Depot
or Lowe’s within driving dis-
tance of most of us, and almost anything
else can be delivered from Amazon. In
many ways, this has left the vast major-
ity of Americans dependent on our retail
infrastructure, along with emptied bank
accounts ... and adding waste to landfills.
Today, many products, clothes, devices,
tools and other possessions are replaced
even before they've reached their end of
useful life. However, in many cases, even if
the particular item can no longer be used
in its original role, parts of it might find a
secondary life somewhere else. Sadly, few
people are actually taking the time to con-
sider the consequences when something is
so easily tossed aside.
“UPCYCLING IS NOT ENTIRELY NEW,
AND IT IS ACTUALLY THE OTHER FACE OF
RECYCLING —'DOWNCYCLING,’ WHEREBY
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS ARE
CONVERTED INTO NEW MATERIALS BUT
GENERALLY OF LESSER QUALITY.”
‹ Above: The familiar saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," has no better place than in
the conversation about upcycling unused, obsolete and abandoned items.
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
UPCYCLE RATHER THAN
RECYCLE
The concept of finding a second use for prod-
ucts and materials has been dubbed "upcycling"
or "creative reuse," and it is described as “the
process of transforming by-products, waste
materials and unwanted or useless products
into new materials of better quality and
environmental and functional value.”
Upcycling is not entirely new, and it is
actually the other face of recycling —"down-
cycling,” whereby materials and products are
converted into new materials but generally of
lesser quality. This is a sad fact of recycling
that isn't generally told, but recycled plastic
is generally of a lesser quality than virgin
plastics. It helps explain why so much of
the used-up stuff is now floating in our
oceans and killing the planet. This is also
true of glass, metals and virtually every
other component of our modern lives.
35
 “TODAY, MANY PRODUCTS, CLOTHES,
DEVICES, TOOLS AND OTHER
CAN-DO POSSESSIONS ARE REPLACED EVEN
BEFORE THEY'VE REACHED THEIR END OF
ATTITUDE USEFUL LIFE.”

Perhaps the simplest upcycling material is the can,

which, fortunately, comes in all sizes but is usually the
same basic round shape. Cans have become so ingrained
in our society that no one alive today can remember a
time without them, and they hold everything from soup
to soda pop, cooking grease to motor oil.
If Rome was built of marble, we could almost say that
the Western world of today was built on the can. How-
ever, without industrial machines, cans are quite literally
impossible to make. If the machines break down, along
with society, the production of cans will cease.
Fortunately, there are millions upon millions of cans
around already that could last for decades before rusting
back into the earth. Cans made from aluminum can be
crushed—but they could last long enough to see the rise
© GETTY IMAGES
of the next sentient species!
The point is that preppers should have a "can-do atti- ‹ Yellow plastic bags used for recyclable materials and placed on the sidewalk pile up while waiting
to be collected. (Photo: Getty Images)
tude" and know that a can shouldn't just be seen as an
old container. Consider it, like its cousin the jar, a place to
store items. Because cans don't break as easily as glass,
Another truly dirty secret is that some modern marvels, notably carbon fiber, can't even be
cans can also be used as tools, and large coffee or paint
recycled into a lesser-quality version. During its recycling process, carbon fiber actually loses
cans can be used as shovels. In addition, teeth can be cut
all its strength and, when melted down, is good only as thermoplastic. Given the move to
into a can to transform it into a large hole saw.
make everything from bicycles and golf clubs to cars and airplanes out of the stuff, the world
Many paint cans still have handles and, when cleaned
will eventually face a glut of used-up carbon fiber.
out, these cans can be used as buckets. Old cans can be
Thus the need to consider upcycling, via which products are not downcycled into massive
tied together with a string to create a primitive perime-
plastic or metal bricks of lesser-quality materials but are converted into new items. In the
ter alarm system. This can even be enhanced by adding
consumer world, we're seeing phone cases and laptop bags made out of old carbon fiber.
some small rocks to further create a rattling sound to
Nevertheless, preppers should take note of how the upcyclers have been making new items.
warn you and/or scare off predators and intruders.
A cottage industry now exists by which old items (such as used seat belts and buckles)
have found their way to laptop bags, and wine bottles are made into a hipster-chic chande-
lier. (While the laptop bag could be good in the times to come, the need for home décor will

› Near right: The

amount of glass
recovered from
recycling just one beer
bottle. This highlights
how recycling could
require far more
energy and why
"upcycling" and
reusing old products
is the way to go now—
and it certainly will be
in the times to come.
(Photo: U.S. National
Archives and Records
Administration)
› Far right: This is an
example of extreme
recycling/upcycling in
Banda Aceh, Sumatra,
where the rubber
is burned off of old
copper cables.
© GETTY IMAGES © GETTY IMAGES
(Photo: Getty Images)

36 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

surely be secondary, at best.) › These toilet paper
rolls have been
Even so, take other simple ideas, such as recycled as seedling
using an old wine box (wood or durable card- planters. (Photo:
Getty Images)
board versions) to be repurposed as a holder
for maps, rolled-up instruction manuals or
blueprints. Keeping these paper items orga-
nized when your PC and tablets won't boot
up could be crucial to survival.
Likewise, anyone with a small shop or craft
table knows the importance of having glass
jars or plastic containers around to hold
screws, nails and just about any small object.
You don't need to be a hoarder and save
every takeout container, but having a stash
of these can ensure you're left with a place
to store seeds, gather berries or even water.
A time could come when a stack of old jars © GETTY IMAGES

might seem like treasure.

Old appliances might seem to be useless if
there isn't access to power, but a dishwasher
can actually be easily turned into a make-
shift waterproof storage unit. It is designed
to keep water in the unit, and water can't
easily get inside. The same is true of washing
machines. While neither a dishwasher nor
a washing machine would likely keep the
contents safe if completely submerged in
water, either appliance could be a good solution
› Pallets are
for keeping tools, firearms and ammunition popular upcycling
dry, even in humid conditions; and, with a few materials, but due
to contamination
silica packets inside, a sealed-up dishwasher or from mold and
refrigerator could be a dry space for important infestation from
insects, they should
documents or foodstuffs in a pinch. be avoided over
The same principle is true of an oven. During other materials. © GETTY IMAGES

‹ Far left: This girl

is making hair
"scrunchies" from
recycled fabric. Note
the old egg carton she
is using to hold her
hot glue gun. (Getty
Images)

‹ Near left: Here, an

egg carton, along with
empty eggshells, is
being reused to grow
seedlings that were
kept in an old glass
jar, ready for planting.
© GETTY IMAGES © GETTY IMAGES (Photo: Getty Images)

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 37

 the recent California fires, many people › Shipping containers
could be ideal
returned home to find their houses gone—but shelters. They will
the inside of their ovens in near-pristine initially require a
little work, but after
condition! Given this, an old gas or electric that, there will be
oven could be sealed and then used to store little to no needed
maintenance.
documents and tools from the elements or
even a fire.

SHIPPING
CONTAINERS
One marvel of our modern society might be a perfect
solution for those times to come: the shipping con- © GETTY IMAGES

tainer. It is designed to be easily transported on a large

RECYCLING/UPCYCLING CONTAMINATION
semi-truck trailer, cargo vessel and even trains. While
One serious downside of both recycling and upcycling is the fear of contamination.
moving such large objects without said equipment could
In the case of recycling, this is a problem: Non-recyclable materials might be mixed in
be difficult, it wouldn't be impossible. With a simple
with recyclables. In addition, recyclable materials might be so dirty that they become
crane and trailer, a shipping container can be moved
difficult to clean and too expensive to process.
virtually anywhere.
For those living off the grid, a little dirt isn't an issue. However, contamination is still
The real benefit of a shipping container is that it is
a serious issue in other ways. After a natural disaster or catastrophic event, debris will
designed to be durable and waterproof, and most are
consist of everything that was caught up in the destruction. This can be a mixture of
designed to be airtight as well. With the right modifi-
material streams from residential, commercial and industrial origins—some of which
cations, a shipping container can be converted into a
could be reused—but other materials might render some materials unusable or even
livable space.
hazardous.
In fact, in 2010, an organization called SEED proposed
One danger is whether items contain toxic materials and, while finding shelter is always
a disaster relief plan whereby shipping containers could
a priority, making a shelter out of moldy wood, rusting sheets of metal or asbestos tiles
be used for housing following the earthquake in Haiti.
is absolutely never a reasonable solution; nor is trying to reuse an old plastic container
The plan wasn't followed through, but it was suggested
that began its life holding bleach or laundry detergent. Such a container could be used to
again following the devastation left in New York City
from Hurricane Sandy in 2014. At the time, New York
City Mayor Bill de Blasio even announced an initiative
to test shipping containers as temporary shelters.
These plans—and others—have pointed out that ship-
ping containers are constructed to outlast almost any
type of natural element, and because they are built out
of high-quality steel, they are stronger than wooden
frames. Moreover, these containers are built to resist
water, mold, insects and vermin. They can be insulated
and also temperature controlled.
Single-use shipping containers can be more costly
than those that are "retired." This is because the
retired ones will have been used countless times, while
a single-use container likely only took a single trip
from China ... delivering all those needless consumer
goods—the very goods that folks now upcycle. There is
now a glut of single-use shipping containers waiting to
be upcycled for use as out-buildings. One of these could
also potentially be your future bunker/shelter.
© GETTY IMAGES

‹ Solar panels are widely used across the United States. These can be repaired/upcycled
following a disaster and can be hooked up to a car battery.

38 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 ‹ Left: This is another
carry water for a garden, but some of the excellent use of an
chemicals will have leached into the plastic upcycled pallet as
a planter holder. In
so badly that it wouldn't be safe for water this case, mold and
to be consumed by people or pets. other contaminants
could still be an issue,
Another concern is the use of old wood— but less so than if the
notably pallets, a favorite of urban recyclers pallet were used as a
table or part of a shel-
today who use these for everything from ter. (Photo: Creative
headboards to desks to shelter walls. While Commons)

some see treasure in the wood pallets, others

warn that sometimes, trash is just ... trash.
Pallets spend a lot of time outdoors and
can contain mold and/or be infested with
insects. Even worse is the fact that pallets
have been found to spread E. coli. Other
pallets could have been treated with a
chemical called 2,4,6-Tribromoanisole
(TBA), a by-product of a fungicide sprayed
on the wood. Finally, when it comes to pal-
© GETTY IMAGES
lets, these, like cheap wooden furniture, can
contain low-grade engineered wood that
contains formaldehyde or other chemicals.
“PALLETS SPEND A LOT OF TIME
Another upcycling concern is the condition OUTDOORS AND CAN CONTAIN MOLD
of the materials. While old barnwood is AND/OR BE INFESTED WITH INSECTS.
great for transforming into hardwood floors
or a decorative table, the same materials
EVEN WORSE IS THE FACT THAT PALLETS
‹ Below: In many cas-
might not be so ideal for use in a new HAVE BEEN FOUND TO SPREAD E. COLI. es, little skill and few
tools are required to
structure that has to endure the elements. OTHER PALLETS COULD HAVE BEEN convert a discarded
worn piece of furni-
This also applies to old metals, which might
show "character" or “patina” with rust
TREATED WITH A CHEMICAL CALLED ture into a useful and
attractive addition to
and wear. But if you're depending on it for 2,4,6-TRIBROMOANISOLE ... ” your home.

survival, look for something that will last.

MAKER UPCYCLING
One group that has seen that old items
don't need to be so readily discarded is
the "maker community," which embraces
the do-it-yourself (DIY) culture. This group
regularly transforms old tools (such as a
saw into a knife). The maker community
can be a good source of inspiration for
seemingly "wacky" projects today, but
many of these could be far more useful or
practical when there isn't a steady supply
of gasoline or electricity.
For instance, a bike modified with a shop-
ping cart might seem like something only a
hipster would ride to the local food co-op,
but when gasoline isn't available, it could
be a viable means of transporting a decent
volume of items. Or consider instead a
converted child bike trailer, which is already
designed to be easily attached to a bike
and provides stability and carrying capacity.
With some simple modifications, such as
attaching a plastic storage bin, it becomes
a cargo container for a bicycle.
© GETTY IMAGES

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 39

 ‹ Perhaps the easiest HIGH-TECH UPCYCLING
method of upcycling
is simply repurpos- The maker culture also embraces
ing old containers engineering-oriented talents, some of
for storage. Why buy
storage bins when which utilize seemingly high-tech tools,
you already get them including robotics and 3D printing, along
for free every time
you buy soap or per- with more-traditional craft skills, such as
haps a jumbo-sized metalworking and woodworking. The for-
container of bubble
gum? (Photo: Peter mer might seem less important to focus on,
Suciu) given that electricity and specialized tools
are required and that without the power
grid, there might not be the ability to utilize
these tools and/or skills.
So, here is where the maker culture could
ensure the lights and power stay on.
Any prepper who considers the need for
electricity has realized that we probably
can't count on a generator forever. Once
a reliable source of gasoline dries up, a
generator is just a heavy piece of machinery.
However, solar panels could keep the lights
on and electrical tools running for years.
‹ Try recycling/ Even so, there is the issue of what hap-
upcycling unusable
light bulbs by turning pens if those panels get damaged. Some in
them into a creative the maker community have embraced the
decoration.
need to consider how these can be repaired.
Brad Halsey, a former U.S. military
contractor, has explained how he has done
what he called the "MacGyver thing."
Via his nonprofit company, Field Ready,
Halsey has traveled around the world to
battle-ravaged lands and those recovering
from a disaster. He employed a mix of 3D
printing, CNC machines and his tech know-
how to build solutions on-site. What he
‹ Below right: Used
together, an old inner
has seen in these places is much of what
tube and a sheet Americans could face in the times to come.
of plastic that was
originally intend-
"You go to Mosul in Iraq without the tools
ed for covering a you'd have at home, and you need to have
high-definition TV
make a quick tarp
that ‘MacGyver’ mentality to become a
for a portable radio, battlefield problem-solver," Halsey told
thus shielding it from
the elements. (Photo:
American Survival Guide. "The problems fol-
© GETTY IMAGES
Peter Suciu) lowing a disaster are so big that it is almost

› Near right: Plastic

grocery bags can
be cut into strips
that can then be
crocheted or knitted
into bedrolls and
even makeshift
blankets. (Photo:
Peter Suciu)

40 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 “ANY PREPPER WHO CONSIDERS THE NEED FOR ELECTRICITY HAS
REALIZED THAT WE PROBABLY CAN'T COUNT ON A GENERATOR
FOREVER. ONCE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF GASOLINE DRIES UP, A
GENERATOR IS JUST A HEAVY PIECE OF MACHINERY. ”
© GETTY IMAGES

all about upcycling." future toxic nightmares. ‹ If you're a prepper

who is stocking up
"This is where fixing solar fields can be "Imagine a major earthquake in Silicon Valley that could cause so many problems. We
on canned food,
crucial," he added. "The silica doesn't care don't know—or want to know—what happens when a processing plant for silicon chips you'll also have a
supply of materials
if the panels are damaged, because these breaks down. We just don't know what will happen."
that can be trans-
are still capturing the voltage. With some Worse, unlike the maker community, very few of those actual tech engineers would even formed into tools,
used for storage or
simple wiring, these can be connected to know how to survive!
even converted into
car batteries that can then power other "Upcycling doesn't work unless you know how to do it," warned Allen Brooks of Building a toy robot-building
project you can
devices. The key is having a mindset to put Momentum, LLC, a partner of Halsey's Field Ready company. "People need to understand
share with your
these practices into operation." how to solder and do basic metalworking, as well as basic woodworking. Otherwise, you child.
Halsey explained that there is some irony end up with something like a dangerous, jerry-rigged solution, which can be worse than not
in how our high-tech society can create the doing anything."
latest apps to run on various gizmos and This is, perhaps, where the difference between "jerry-rigged" and "jury-rigged" comes into
gadgets but is utterly unprepared for even play: The former is something poorly built that could be worse than doing nothing. The savvy
a minor disaster. Even worse, he warned, is prepper should be able to "jury-rig" something that is made in an ingenious manner with
that the high-tech community could create limited tools and materials. That would truly be the ultimate in upcycling.

42 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 PRE
BY CHRISTOPHER NYERGES
Name: Chickweed
(Stellaria media)
Chickweed is a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), which con-
sists of between 83 to 89 genera (depending on which botanist you follow)
and about 3,000 species worldwide. Stellaria media is one of the more
common members of this family and is found globally.
Description
Chickweed is a weak-stemmed plant, barely able to support itself more
than 6 inches or so off the ground. The plant is found sprawling low to the
ground, usually in clumped, intertwined masses.
With close observation, you can see a single line of tiny, fine, white hairs
running along one side of the main stem. The small, oval-shaped leaves
grow opposite each other in pairs, with untoothed margins, and each leaf
comes to a point. The lower leaves are petioled (have a stalk), whereas the
upper leaves lack a petiole and join the stem directly.
The tiny flowers are white, ¼ inch in diameter and have five petals. Each
petal has a deep cleft, giving the illusion of comprising 10 petals.
Where Found
Chickweed is a native of Europe and is today found throughout the United
States. It prefers secluded areas that are shady and moist, but it will grow
for a short time in full sun. It is quite common in disturbed soils where there
is shade. In the spring, chickweed can be found in most urban areas, such as
gardens and orchards.
When to Harvest/Availability
Chickweed springs up with the winter and spring rains and is typically
only available during the spring (and possibly early summer). The plant is a
short-lived annual and is completely withered up by summer.
44 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
Uses
The entire plant above ground is edible raw. Try to pick the taller, more-mature
plants so that the tender, young plants can continue to grow. The best way to
collect chickweed is to use a sharp knife or scissors and trim off handfuls of the
plant from the patch. Uprooting the plants is neither necessary nor desirable. A
thorough cold-water rinse, and this succulent salad green is ready to be enjoyed. A
simple oil-and-vinegar dressing, along with a bit of avocado, creates a wonderful
chickweed salad. Chickweed’s distinctive flavor is mild and unobjectionable. It can
also be lightly cooked and prepared like spinach, making it a healthful addition to
any meal.
The name, “chickweed,” apparently has its origins in the fact that chickens (and
other birds) feasted on this plant first whenever it was available. Chickens will eat
the seeds of chickweed, as well as all the leaves and tender stems
PROCESSING: You do not need to uproot chickweed when you harvest it.
Cut it with a sharp knife above the root level and then pick out any foreign debris.
Rinse it well before using it in salad or other dishes. Typically, when I make chick-
weed salad, the only processing I do is rinsing and then dicing it.
MEDICINE/NUTRITION: One hundred grams (½ cup) of chickweed leaf
contains 350 milligrams of vitamin C, 160 milligrams of calcium, 49 milligrams of
phosphorus, 29 milligrams of iron and 243 milligrams of potassium.
Chickweed is regarded as an effective diuretic. The fresh leaves and stems can be
infused for a tea (dried and powdered leaves can also be used).
OTHER USES: An Amish product that contains dried and powdered chick-
weed blended with beeswax and olive oil is used as a treatment for mosquito
bites. On the few occasions I’ve had to use it, I found it to be very effective in
treating the bite.
Advice for Growing
Chickweed is so common that it is unlikely you’d ever need to cultivate it. However,
when I wanted to ensure I had a patch of it growing in an experimental garden, I
collected the dried plants and seeds in late summer and scattered them in the garden when
the rains began. The area now produces abundant chickweed every year. (In addition, if you do
‹ Below: Individual stalks of
some research, you will find some seed catalogs that sell chickweed seeds.) chickweed

Cautions
Make sure you have properly identified chickweed. It will frequently grow side by side with
common spurge (Euphorbia peplus), and foragers who are not meticulous can inadvertently
add spurge leaves to their chickweed salad bag. Eating a small amount of spurge will proba-
bly result in no ill effects, but consuming enough can cause vomiting. Spurge typically grows
upright, with an erect, somewhat red, stem and alternate rounded leaves. If you break the
stem of spurge, you will see white sap.

Recipes
CHICKWEED TOSTADA
Warm a tostado on a frying pan. Add shredded Swiss cheese and let it melt. Add diced chick-
weed, sliced avocado and a few tomatoes. Serve with sour cream and hot sauce to taste.

CHICKWEED BROTH
Warm 2 cups of miso broth. Add ¼ cup diced green onions, ¼ cup diced tofu and a cup of
diced chickweed. Warm in a covered pot for about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

CHICKWEED SALAD
• 2 cups of diced chickweed
• 1 diced tomato
• ½ cup diced green onions
• ½ cucumber, thinly sliced

Blend all the ingredients and add a salad dressing of your choice. Serves two.

About ASG’s Plant Advisor

Christopher Nyerges has been teaching ethnobotany since 1974. He is the author of Guide
to Wild Foods and Useful Plants and other books on the uses of wild plants. Nyerges has
contributed many articles to American Survival Guide on a wide range of topics. He can be
reached at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.

› Far right: This fresh chickweed salad also

includes olives, tomatoes and salad dressing.
(Photo: Christopher Nyerges)

› Near right: Freshly harvested

chickweed that has been picked clean
of twigs and random leaves and then
rinsed is now ready to be made into
salad or other dishes. (Photo: Christo-
pher Nyerges)

› Bottom right: Chickweed plants in flower

later in their growing season
46 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
IS THIS THE CALM BEFORE THE
PRICE-INCREASE STORM? BY PAUL RACKLEY

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 47

 “DEMAND HAS DROPPED SO MUCH THAT SEVERAL COMPANIES HAVE FILED
BANKRUPTCY, AND EVEN COLT ... ANNOUNCED LAST SEPTEMBER THAT IT
WAS QUITTING PRODUCTION DUE TO LACK OF DEMAND. ”

48 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

T
‹ Facing page, top:
he AR rifle has a lot of names with different meanings, depending on who that Hillary Clinton would be the president
The Savage MSR-15
is uttering the words. Politicians and media groups like to inaccurately call after the 2016 election, and they bet on Recon provides
quite a lot out of
them “assault rifles" in their quest to have them banned, while advocates that outcome by increasing production
the box but can
prefer the milder term, “modern sporting rifles.” Regardless of the feelings of AR-style rifles. Then, Donald J. Trump benefit from some
chosen upgrades.
toward this firearm, there is no doubt that Eugene Stoner’s design has became the 45th American president, thus
become America’s rifle. eliminating the scare that these firearms ‹ Facing page,
The AR is the most versatile and customizable rifle in the world. It can be set up with good would become unavailable to the masses. middle: The
Mossberg MMR
optics to be used to hunt a variety of game, from coyotes up to deer and elk. It can also be Suddenly, consumers quit purchasing ARs features Magpul
configured tactically with lights, lasers, backup sights and much more for self-defense simply out of fear, so warehouses stayed furniture, a flattop
design, adjustable
or competition. These guns can even be rigged for long-range sniping of targets well full, and prices dropped. buttstock and no
beyond 500 yards. Shooters can now purchase basic AR-15 forward assist. It is
considered a little
Because of all these features and options, few can doubt the usefulness of ARs, even rifles for $500 and under. In fact, sale prices above “basic” but
those gun proponents who think they are big, heavy and ugly. Anti-gunners, of course, often list some of these rifles at around can still be found
for quite a deal.
defile these rifles at every level possible, claiming they have no sporting purpose. They $300. Demand has dropped so much that
have been trying to get rid of them for decades and even succeeded for a 10-year span, several companies have filed for bankruptcy, ‹ Facing page,
bottom: Higher-
starting in 1994. and even Colt—the first to put AR-15s in end ARs typically
Luckily for gun owners, Congress did not renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 2004, civilian hands—announced last Septem- come with better
barrels, foregrips,
which began a race to meet the demand from civilians who were allowed, once again, to ber that it was quitting production due to triggers and
purchase ARs. Then, just as companies were beginning to catch up, Barack Obama became lack of demand. stocks. As a result,
these rifles don’t
president and kicked off an eight-year frenzy of tactical rifle and pistol purchases. Higher-end models have even dropped normally need
Prices skyrocketed, because companies couldn’t keep up with demand. People were afraid in price a bit, although not as significantly upgrades.

that certain types of guns would be banned again, particularly tactical rifles such as ARs. as other parts of the market. What many
However, it doesn’t take much to make the market shift dramatically (such as the election consider to be “luxury items” typically hold
of a pro-gun president). This is one of many reasons that now is a good time to start or out longer, because demand is always lower
expand an AR collection. with more-expensive items. Even so, those
interested in a “dream” AR might want to
SIGNIFICANT PRICE DROPS start looking around. Prices on rifles from
Supply-and-demand is the bedrock foundation of capitalism. However, perception of companies such as Daniel Defense, Lewis
supply-and-demand is often more powerful. Machine & Tool and the Smith & Wesson
‹ This S&W
There was very little chance of a true anti-gun bill making it to Performance Center probably won’t go M&P 15-22 Sport
President Obama’s desk, but numerous comments made folks believe lower for a while—if ever. MOE SL rifle is
available from the
this was a major agenda goal. Many in the gun industry also believed manufacturer with
CALIBERS, CALIBERS AND Flat Dark Earth
Magpul furniture
MORE CALIBERS and accessories.
While the 5.56/.223 Remington is It has an MSRP of
around $500.

“IN WHAT MANY CONSIDER A

BRILLIANT IDEA, COMPANIES HAVE
EVEN CREATED ARs IN PISTOL
CALIBERS; THIS ALLOWS SHOOTERS
TO CARRY BOTH A RIFLE AND A
PISTOL IN THE SAME CALIBER.”

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 49

 absolutely the most popular AR chambering, its margin of dominance isn’t as big as

MY BUILD
it once was. Over the last few years, manufacturers have starting bringing out ARs in
many other calibers.
Hunters and long-range shooters have long enjoyed AR-10s in .308 Winchester. In fact,
heavy-metal 3-gun matches require rifles chambered in this heavier round. However,
There was a time when I wasn’t the biggest AR
shooters can now choose highly specialized calibers ranging from 6.8 SPC to .50 Beowulf,
fan. Later, I realized my Remington 742 in .30-06,
with quite a few in between. This even includes the .224 Valkyrie, which has impressed
which I used for deer hunting, was more powerful. Then, I
shooters since its introduction in 2017. This accurate, flat-shooting round, which fits neatly
shot an AR and quickly became a fan of the platform.
into a small-platform AR, has excited the shooting world. Other favorites that have caught
This was during the ban decade, so obtaining one was
the interest of shooters include the .300 AAC Blackout and the .458 SOCOM.
difficult and expensive. After the ban lifted, I had other
Shooters can even save money in training and plinking by picking up an AR rifle cham-
priorities, which pushed back my purchase of a modern
bered in .22 LR. While these low-powered money-savers typically don’t come with all the
sporting rifle. In fact, it was early in Mr. Obama’s pres-
same features—thereby preventing certain drills involving manipulation—they can easily
idency that I got my hands on a DPMS AP4. This basic
be used for target engagement and accuracy training. Just be sure to spend
rifle came with standard features, including a Glacier
some time with larger calibers, as well, for familiarization,
Guard handguard, A2 detachable handle sights and the
particularly regarding reloads.
A2 birdcage flash hider. While this is an excellent rifle, I
had zero plans to leave it stock.
Unfortunately, it took a little while to get started
upgrading components, which began when I had some
luck and got my hands on a complete Yankee Hill
 “IN ADDITION TO MODULARITY, ARs CAN ACCEPT A WIDE VARIETY
OF ACCESSORIES. THESE ATTACHMENTS MAKE ARS EVEN MORE
EFFICIENT AND USEFUL, IN ADDITION TO JUST PLAIN COOL-LOOKING.”

51
 swap out uppers in different calibers. Some consider changing uppers regularly to be labor Of course, folks don’t have to copy the mili- ‹ Top left: Daniel
Defense makes high-
intensive, but it is the least expensive way to quickly change calibers for specialized activities. tary to trick out an AR. Countless companies, end ARs that many
Shooters interested in having multiple guns can also build rifles using kits, which have ranging from Leupold to Magpul and SureFire consider to be dream
guns. However, with
also dropped significantly in price. With just a little bit of searching, stripped lowers can to Crimson Trace, produce products to hang on this saturated market,
be found for less than a "Benjamin," while folks can find complete lowers for just a little Picatinny rails. Most of these products cross even these can be
found at better deals.
bit more. An Internet search shows a wide variety of prices of both to suit most budgets. over disciplines, with many leaning toward
Higher-end models are more expensive, but not significantly. Prices reflect the fact that self-defense and tactical fighting; but as ARs ‹ Top right: ARs are
highly modular and
supply is outweighing demand. became more specialized, so have accessories. have the advantage
Hunters want flat-shooting rifles with of being serviceable
for numerous
LOTS OF COOL ACCESSORIES powerful optics for taking game, while 3-gun applications. Whether
In addition to modularity, ARs can accept a wide variety of accessories. These attach- competitors need optics that allow quick the goal is hunting,
self-defense or
ments make ARs even more efficient and useful, in addition to just plain cool-looking. With transition from close targets to long distanc- simply plinking at
just a little bit of research, shooters can really trigger anti-gunners by attaching the same es and back again. Competition shooters the range, there are
many upgrades and
optics, lasers and lights as the military—even Special Forces operators. Everything is legal, want anything that will help them shoot accessories available
except for the fire selector. faster. However many of those products to tune this platform
to meet your desires.

“THE AR IS THE MOST VERSATILE AND CUSTOMIZABLE RIFLE IN THE WORLD. IT

CAN BE SET UP WITH GOOD OPTICS TO BE USED TO HUNT A VARIETY OF GAME
... IT CAN ALSO BE CONFIGURED TACTICALLY WITH LIGHTS, LASERS, BACKUP
SIGHTS AND MUCH MORE FOR SELF-DEFENSE OR COMPETITION.”

‹ This Aero Precision AC-15 starts at under $700, with parts and
accessories made in the U.S.A. It is ready to run—right out of the box.

52 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 “POLITICIANS AND MEDIA GROUPS LIKE TO INACCURATELY CALL
THEM ‘ASSAULT RIFLES' IN THEIR QUEST TO HAVE THEM BANNED,
WHILE ADVOCATES PREFER THE MILDER TERM, ‘MODERN
SPORTING RIFLES.’”

won’t work for the average shooter, particu-
larly when it comes to self-defense.
Most folks want ARs for the fun of shoot-
ing and just in case the SHTF. For those
shooters, a basic reflex sight works great,
because it provides fast target acquisition
but still allows use of the standard sights if
there is a problem.
Other accessories can be added or upgraded
as funds become available. Two of the most
useful items a shooter can attach are a light
and a laser. Good models can be found
for under $200 each, providing extreme
usefulness in all kinds of situations.
PRICES COULD TURN AROUND
Prices for ARs have been down for a
while. However, uncertainty could change
everything. ‹ Above: Along with
Many feel that President Trump has an excellent chance of reelection, but no one knows being excellent
fighting guns, ARs
for sure. Some folks might get worried, especially because some of the Democratic can- are a joy to shoot,
didates and supporters have taken "hard aim" at guns—specifically ARs. Because of this, because they
are accurate and
fear could push Americans back to purchasing ARs, along with self-defense handguns. In provide light recoil.
fact, the FBI announced that it ran more than 200,000 background checks for gun pur-
chases on Black Friday in 2019, making it the second highest day ever for these checks.
Black Friday has long been a big day for gun sales because of the hunting season and
holiday purchases. So, this jump in sales could just be because of higher confidence in the
economy and good prices. However, it could also be the beginning of folks getting worried
about a change of residents in the White House.
Michael Bloomberg has joined the fray, which could make the 2020 elections a battle
of billionaires. Bloomberg is famously anti-gun, having funded numerous gun-control
groups, including Everytown for Gun Safety. Whether his candidacy energizes gun own-
ers remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that guns will play a major role in the
next election. If Trump loses the presidency, prices will turn around. The only question is,
How high will they go?
You might want to go ahead and make a purchase soon.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 53

54 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
HIGH-TECH
EYES AND
EARS PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS WITH
SERIOUS SURVEILLANCE GEAR.
N
ot all spies travel to exotic
locations, drive premium
sportscars or gamble away
millions at the casino.
The truth is that the
“average Joe” might resort to using “spy”
gear for a number of not-so-world-shaking
reasons. From keeping tabs on a babysitter
or detecting people who have entered their
home to catching someone in a lie, the uses
for surveillance and spy gear are highly
diverse and are becoming increasingly
common.
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
BY MICHAEL D’ANGONA
The quality of such equipment also varies
greatly. For some situations, a simple, low-
cost recording device might do, while for
others, more-refined and reliable equip-
ment is the smart way to go.
The underlying point to be mindful of is
that even though you might not be a secret
agent, the need to record audio or video,
escape from cuffs or zip ties, or detect hid-
den cameras that invade your privacy are
very real possibilities. Thanks to the items
we’ve selected, you can do all those things
... like a world-class spy.
55
 Spy Gadgets Thief Detection Powder
Overview Specifications
Identify a culprit in a matter • Easily applied to most household
of seconds … if they touched objects
this invisible and truly amazing • Powder is invisible to the naked eye
fluorescent powder. Just sprinkle • Compact jar fits easily inside a pocket
it on locks, doorknobs, windows • Powder is seen under ultraviolet light
or valuable objects and wait. If • For use on indoor and some outdoor
the area is disrupted, pass an surfaces
ultraviolet light over the hands
MSRP
of the suspects, and you’ll have
$18
your criminal. The guilty party
won’t stand a chance when you URL
have this handy item. SpyGadgets.com

Spy Gadgets Credit Card Lock Pick Set,

Houdini Version
Overview Specifications
Hidden inside this faux credit card is a • 5-piece lock-picking kit
five-piece lock pick set, ready for you • Solid, stainless steel construction
whenever and wherever you need it. • Looks like an authentic credit card
The face of Houdini, one of the most • Fits easily inside most wallets
famous escape artists ever, adorns • Limited-edition Houdini collectible
the front of the lock pick case; and, version
to the sharp observer, the numbers
MSRP
on the card are actually a secret code
$29
that only you will know. It is ideal for
the Houdini enthusiast and practical URL
enough to get you past most locks. This SpyGadgets.com
little gem is highly limited in quantity.

Spy Gadgets Titanium Escape Ring

Overview Specifications
Escape from single-lock handcuffs • Titanium composition with mirror
and other non-steel restraints finish
with this ingenious and discreet • Opens single-lock handcuffs
escape ring. Positioned inside using the shim
the titanium ring is a saw blade/ • Flexible tool easily nests inside
shim pick combination that makes ring’s interior
short work of your bindings. Duct • Undetectable to prying eyes
tape, zip ties and plastic ties won’t Saw blade cuts through zip ties,
stand up to the saw; and, with a ropes and non-metal bindings
little practice, your cuffs will be
MSRP
off in a jiffy. This ring is invisible to
$69
others nearby; only you will know
its valuable secret. URL
SpyGadgets.com

56 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

Spy Centre Voice Activated
USB Flash Drive Recorder
Overview Specifications
Flash drives are everywhere these days, • Voice-activated recording in MP3
so no one will suspect that yours is format
actually a covert recording device. This • Two quality settings: HQ and XHQ
item looks and feels authentic—right • 8GB memory: HQ (288 hours);
down to its ability to charge directly in XHQ (144 hours)
a computer’s USB port. Choose either • Operates as a normal USB flash drive
"continuous recording" or "voice-acti- • Date and time stamp when used
vated." The results will be crystal clear with Windows OS
and easy to move and categorize into
MSRP
your own computer’s storage center.
$99.99
A small, inconspicuous wheel at the
blade of the flash drive allows for simple URL
activation of features. SpyCentre.com

Spy Centre Anti-Eavesdropping

Wireless Bug Detector and Camera Lens
Finder
Overview Specifications
Be free from prying eyes and ears with • Telescoping antenna
this anti-eavesdropping detector. Perform • Adjustable sensitivity
sweeps of your home, office or hotel room • Locates frequencies ranging
and detect planted bugs or hidden cameras from 1 MHz to 6.5 GHz
quickly and easily. This small unit fits in your • Rechargeable lithium battery
hand, yet it is able to find even the slightest • LEDs alert detection of cameras
frequency abnormalities around you and
MSRP
then allows you to pinpoint the source. The
$109.99
package includes the detector, charging
cable, headphones, instruction manual and URL
a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty. SpyCentre.com

Spy Centre 1080P Video Spy Glasses

Overview Specifications
Sometimes, you need an extra set of • Clear 1080P HD video at 30
eyes, and these spy glasses definitely do frames per second
the trick. Discreet, fashionable and able • Simple one-touch recording
to record crystal-clear audio and video • Time and date stamp allows
of whatever is in your sights, these specs ideal record-keeping
can be worn to observe suspected abuse, • Supports up to 32GB microSD
problems with spouses or co-workers or card for 4 hours of HD recording
even just to record a long lecture. They • Compatible with Windows or
feature a wide, 80-degree field of view, a Mac OS
hidden recording indicator light that only
MSRP
the wearer can see and two replaceable
$249.99
battery legs. An included USB cable
makes charging fast and easy. URL
SpyCentre.com

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 57

 Spy Associates SportsMax Hidden
Camera Watch
Overview Specifications
With single-touch recording, built-in • Continuous and motion-detection
16GB of internal storage and 2K 30 recording options
frames-per-second (FPS) video • Fashionable design won’t cause suspicion
quality, this “spy” audio and video • Easy-to-use software to set date/
recording watch can help secure the time and adjust resolution
information you need, no matter the • 65-degree viewing angle
situation. The recorder is extremely • 2K, high-definition color video offers
user friendly, with quick file transfers incredible clarity
to a computer using the included
MSRP
USB cable. Best of all, this is a real
$299
working watch, so no one will be the
wiser when you have its electronic URL
sensors tuned on them! SpyAssociates.com

Spy Associates Voice Activated Audio

Recorder Lighter
Overview Specifications
It looks like an ordinary lighter, but it is • 28-hour continuous battery;
really an audio recording device. This 25-day standby battery
amazing and compact unit can sit idle • Automatic sensitivity adjustment
for up to 25 days until it picks up nearby • One-click easy-activation feature
audio—and away it goes, recording • USB external power option
until the conversation stops. The • 8GB of storage; up to 250 hours
recorder uses a 64 Kbps MP3 format, of total recording
and the date and time stamp allow for
MSRP
great accuracy in organizing all your
$199.98
recordings. Use it at home, in the office
or anywhere you need to covertly collect URL
audio. It is not a functioning lighter, but SpyAssociates.com
no one will ever know!

Spy Associates Fitness Band Audio

Recorder
Overview Specifications
Fitness bands are all the craze these • Voice-activated recording
days—so much so that no one will know • 8GB internal memory
yours is actually an audio recording • 570 hours of audio recording
device. With voice-activated recording, • 23-hour battery life
date and time stamps, automatic • Time and date stamp for easy
section breaks and playback through organizing
ordinary headphones, you’ll enjoy the
MSRP
“tech” as it captures whatever audio you
$299
need. The unit charges through a micro
USB port and only takes one to two URL
hours to fully charge. Wear it at the gym, SpyAssociates.com
home, school or nearly anywhere else;
it’s that inconspicuous.

58 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

ATN NVG7-2 Night Vision Goggles
Overview Specifications
You can’t let the darkness stop you • 40-degree field of view
from your surveillance. With these • Infrared (IR) illuminator for use in
lightweight Gen 2+ technology night total darkness
vision goggles, you won’t have to. • IR and low-battery light indicator
Featuring a high-resolution image • Long, 60-hour battery life
intensifier, auto brightness and bright • Water resistant
source shutdown, seeing your target • Lightweight, 1.1-pound unit won’t
in the dark will be a snap with these weigh you down
rugged NVGs. Thanks to the included • Sold to U.S. addresses only
goggle head strap kit, hands-free usage
MSRP
makes multi-tasking easy. A carrying
$1,953.99
case, lens tissue, extra battery, warranty
card and full instruction manual round URL
out this amazing package. ATNCorp.com

ATN PS15-2 Night Vision Goggles

Overview Specifications
Utilizing two high-performance image • Built-in infrared illuminator
intensifier tubes for clear and crisp images, • Resolution: 45–54 lp/mm
this set of goggles offers increased depth • Automatic brightness control
perception and unrivaled clarity of any • 40-degree field of vision
subjects within your sights. The built-in • Water-resistant casing
infrared (IR) illuminator lets the user read • Sold to U.S. addresses only
or scan documents in total darkness, while
MSRP
the goggles’ lightweight and compact
$4,253.99
design allows them to be carried or stowed
away with ease. These Gen 2+ technology URL
night vision goggles take stealthy sur- ATNCorp.com
veillance to the next level. The package
includes instructions, lens tissue, battery,
head mount kit and warranty card.

ATN PVS7-2 Night Vision Goggles

Overview Specifications
These high-performance night vision • Low-battery and IR illuminator
goggles are more than ample to supply indicators
you with top-tier night vision technology. • Range of focus: .25 yard to
These Gen 2+ technology goggles come infinity
with multiple accessories, including a soft • Long, 60-hour battery life
carrying case, de-mist shield, sacrificial • Field of view: 40 degrees
filter, shoulder strap, head-mount • Weight: 1.5 pounds
assembly and full instructions. Whether • Sold to U.S. addresses only
you are securing your homestead, camp or
MSRP
backyard, you’ll be safer when you’re able
$2,758.99
to see in the dark.
URL
ATNCorp.com

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 59

 Zetronix Z Shades HD Video
Recording Sunglasses
Overview Specifications
Blend into your outdoor surround- • 147-degree wide-angle lens with HD sensor
ings while keeping an eye on • Weatherproof and durable for most
someone or something and get the environments
needed video to back up your story. • Built-in microphone with noise-canceling
These ultra-wide-angle video technology
recording sunglasses offer durable • Vibration alert when glasses start and
and weatherproof construction, stop recording
a comfortable and sporty fit and, • One-button operation for fast activation
best of all, up to 21 hours of record-
MSRP
ing on a 128GB microSD card. No
$199.99
one will suspect a thing while you
enjoy fun under the sun. URL
Zetronix.com

Zetronix Kronos 1080p HD Video Watch

Overview Specifications
This stylish and sporty watch will • 1080p video resolution motion and
fool the subject of your surveil- still pictures
lance. You’ll enjoy this working • Holds up to 32GB MicroSD cards
watch/HD recording device without • Up to 9 feet of IR night vision
anyone being the wiser. Use it for • Built-in microphone picks up audio
a variety of purposes. Whether • Up to two hours of battery life
dealing with aggressive neighbors
MSRP
or managers or during customer
$189.99
service interactions, this multifunc-
tional timepiece offers numerous URL
functions and is always discreet. Zetronix.com

Zetronix Nanny Cam Self-Install

Camera Kit
Overview Specifications
This self-contained, do-it-yourself • 1080p HD video resolution
camera kit allows you to turn • Watch or record live from your smart-
nearly any household object phone
into a covert spy camera. Once • MicroSD card slot for up to 128GB
installed, this camera offers (records up to 128 hours of video/audio)
HD-quality video and clear, crisp • Easy-to-set-up WiFi
audio. It utilizes a USB port for • Receive motion alerts on your
charging; alternatively, it can be smartphone
directly plugged into a wall outlet.
MSRP
All video files can be stored on a
$249.99
microSD card or streamed live to
your tablet or smartphone. URL
Zetronix.com

60 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

BudK Uzi Pro Spy Listening Device
Overview Specifications
Surveil and listen to people or • Create digital recordings of what
animals from up to 300 feet away you hear
with this nifty, “old-school” spy • Compact unit fits discreetly just
device. Eye your subject through the about anywhere
8X monocular, aim the parabolic • Includes stereo-quality head-
audio cone in their direction, and phones
whatever they do or say, you will
MSRP
know about it! The soft headphones
$56.99
and ergonomic handle allow long
stakeouts without discomfort or URL
fatigue, while the digitally recorded BudK.com
sounds can be played back later at
your convenience.

BudK Coat Hook Spy Camera

Overview Specifications
You can’t be home every minute of the • Simple design blends into any
day. However, this trusty spy cam— decor
that is conveniently disguised as a coat • Playback video on PC with a USB
hook—will let you know everything connection cable
that goes on when you are gone. This • Supports up to a 32GB SD card
1080p camera offers up to 12 hours of • High-capacity, rechargeable,
continuous recording that stores on lithium-polymer battery
a simple SD card and is viewable on • Easy to install with the included
most PCs. The unit switches between adhesive mounting strip
photo shooting, video recording and
MSRP
motion detection with just a push of a
$43.99
button on the included remote control.
No one will suspect they are being URL
watched by ... a coat hook! BudK.com

BudK 3-in-1 Tactical Endoscope

Overview Specifications
When you need to look around a corner • Get a view of hard-to-access
or view a subject from an impossible places
angle, this device lets you connect to your • USB cord with integrated Android
Android phone or PC to keep an eye on plug adapter
the target. Utilizing a 10-meter USB cord • LED lights with adjustable
with a waterproof 7mm camera, you’ll brightness settings
be able to watch the subject easily from • 67-degree camera viewing angle
a covered or concealed location. Six LED • Compact components easily
lights keep the picture clear and bright, store inside a pocket or gear bag
even under the most dirty or confined
MSRP
conditions. Included with the camera are
$26.99
a magnet extension, mirror extension and
a small hook extension—all useful when URL
more-precise work is needed. BudK.com

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 61

 KOPIS DESIGNS AND VEHEMENT KNIVES
TEAM UP TO CREATE THE MARLIN SPIKE
AND OXUS SUB-HILT KNIFE
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JIM COBB

62 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

I
t started when Jon Bahlatzis moved
to Colorado.
A budding knifemaker, he sought
out local custom knife shops. He
came across Vehement Knives online
and, after looking at some of its work, he
reached out to owner Matt Martin, offering
to sweep floors in exchange for being
allowed to hang around and learn the
processes behind the knives.
Matt had already begun building a
tremendous reputation and loyal following
as a custom knifemaker. His wife, Jenna
Martin, was well on her way to establish-
ing her own solid footprint in the leather-
working business, designing sheaths and
other accoutrements.
Jon apprenticed under Matt for about a
year, then spent another two years working
as part of the Vehement team. When Matt
and his family pulled up stakes to head east
to the knifemaking hotbed in Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula, Jon struck out on his own
and started Kopis Designs. Since then, both
shops have seen substantial growth.
Despite being separated by about 1,200
miles, Jon Bahlatzis and Matt Martin
have worked together on a number of
projects. Two of those are the Marlin
Spike and the Oxus.

VEHEMENT/KOPIS MARLIN
SPIKE
Originally called a “marlinspike,” this tool
harkens back to the days when sailing
vessels were among the fastest transport
available. Back then, as well as today, the
spike was an incredibly useful tool when
working with rope or other cordage.
One of the most common tasks for which
the marlinspike comes into play is with
knot-busting. Case in point: Every parent
has had the experience of their young child
coming to them with shoelaces on which
they have somehow managed to tie a knot
of Gordian proportions. Picking at a knot
like that with fingernails can work, but it
takes time and patience—neither of which
are in ample supply when everyone should
have been in the car 15 minutes ago and
this is the third trip back to the house to
grab something that had been forgotten.
The narrow point of the spike is able to slip
into the knot and lever the cordage apart.
By design, the point isn’t needle-sharp, so it
won’t cut and fray the material. That said, it is
plenty pokey, so you need to watch yourself.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 63


MARLIN SPIKE DETAILS
The Vehement/Kopis Marlin Spike is a
single piece of titanium that has been
shaped and polished. It weighs just a
touch over an ounce. The handle has
been textured with a great knurling that
provides a positive grip, even with wet or
cold hands. It is available in three finishes:
satin, stonewashed and anodized (shown
in this article).
The spike is not sold with a sheath, but
Skin Bender Leather Works offers leather
pocket slips from time to time. There are
also any number of Kydex sheath and
BOB
LOVELESS
The Oxus is inspired by the work of Bob Loveless,
a custom knifemaker who rose to prominence in the
1950s. Even after his passing in 2010, he remains one
of the most influential knifemakers in modern history.
Much of his work was with fighting or tactical knives.
Among other innovations, Loveless popularized the
hollow-ground, drop-point blade profile and the use
of screw-type fasteners for handle scales. His designs
have stood the test of time, and it is not a stretch to
believe that most knifemakers working today have
probably been inspired by one or more of his knives.
64 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
Marlin Spike
Specifications
• Overall length: 4.9375 inches
• Material: 6AL 4V titanium
• Weight: 1.1 ounces
MSRP: $65
(Leather sheaths are available from Skin
Bender Leather Works. They run $45 with a
pocket clip and $30 without the clip.)
‹ Left and below: Unusually light and uniquely
attractive for a marlinspike, the Vehement/
Kopis Marlin Spike is also entirely functional.
holster makers out there who might do a one-off custom job.
The beauty of this simple tool is the versatility it brings to the kit. Much as with a pocket
flashlight, once you start carrying the Marlin Spike, you’ll wonder how you ever got along
without it.
DIVERSE FUNCTIONALITY
Workshop. I’m constantly losing my pencil when I’m working on woodworking projects.
The Marlin Spike works great for scoring boards when cutting them to size. It also makes
great pilot holes in lumber. Because it is titanium, it is not going to go dull after scratching
some lumber. Attaching a short lanyard ensures the spike will not roll away and disappear
into the same black hole that has swallowed countless 10-millimeter sockets ( ... and a
bunch of pencils!).
It also works extremely well as a punch. For instance, I have used it to put new holes
in a dog collar so it would fit our new puppy. It easily drives through leather, as well as
thick fabric belts.
 ‹ Far left: The
grooved and knurled
surface of the Marlin
Spike provides
an excellent grip,
even in challenging
conditions.

‹ Near left: The

marlinspike was
originally designed
for ropework. It still
performs that same
task quite well today.

“THE BEAUTY OF THIS SIMPLE TOOL IS THE VERSATILITY IT

BRINGS TO THE KIT. MUCH AS WITH A POCKET FLASHLIGHT, ONCE
YOU START CARRYING THE MARLIN SPIKE, YOU’LL WONDER HOW
YOU EVER GOT ALONG WITHOUT IT.”
Ropework. As noted at the outset of is a design made popular by legendary knifemaker Bob Loveless (see the sidebar on the
this article, ropework was a marlinspike’s previous page). The obvious distinguishing feature in a sub-hilt knife is what we might call
original purpose. In the last several hun- the “trigger” that sits below the hilt.
dred years, we still haven’t come up with This knife is made for combat, although it has other uses in the field. The sub-hilt performs
a better tool for busting knots. The spike’s a couple of different, but related, functions.
point slips easily into the tightest knots. First, it provides leverage when using the knife with force. In particular, it allows the user
You can also attach cordage to it using a to more easily pull it back from the target when thrusting or stabbing. Second, it allows
marlinspike knot to give you extra leverage for excellent grip retention. For example, there is virtually no way the hand is going to slide
‹ Below: An
when pulling a weight or just hitching the up over the blade. In addition, in wet or cold conditions, the knife is secured in the hand by aftermarket leather
cord tight. This works far better than just virtue of that sub-hilt. sheath for the Marlin
Spike makes it an
pulling on the rope with your bare hand. Some sub-hilt knives have a disadvantage in that they are difficult to hold in any posi- easy pocket-carry
Cleaning. I’ve used the spike countless tion other than the forward (“saber”) grip. However, the Oxus also feels comfortable in a item.
times to clear my boot treads of gravel and
dried mud. With stubborn rocks, twigs used
for this purpose often snap; the Marlin
Spike does not have that problem. It also
works well for clearing gunk on machinery,
because its tip can fit into the thinnest
crevices and cracks.
It has even come in handy in the kitchen
when cleaning things such as the garlic
press. Just wash the spike well before and
after, of course.
Defense. I hesitate to recommend this
tool as a defense weapon, simply because
there are innumerable options out there
that are better-suited to the task. However,
as a last-ditch alternative, sticking some-
one in the neck, face or eyeball with the
spike is very likely to result in that person
getting off you.

VEHEMENT/KOPIS OXUS
The Oxus is a knife that was years in the
works. Jon has said that it is his favorite
collaboration to date. The modern sub-hilt

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 65

 ‹ Left: At 11 inches
long, the Oxus is a
bit lengthy for an
EDC for most of us,
but it will be a great
companion if you can
pull it off.

reverse ("icepick") grip, provided that the
edge faces out.
OXUS DETAILS
The Oxus starts out as a solid piece of
CPM 3V steel that is ground and shaped.
It is available with either G10 or Micarta
handle scales. The G-10 is heavily textured,
whereas the Micarta has enough grip on its
own. Both materials are nearly bombproof
and will last almost forever. The bolsters
are brass or stainless steel. There are three
blade finishes: satin, stonewashed and
blackwashed.
The knife has a bit of jimping along the
spine just ahead of the hilt. It also has some
texturing on the butt. Both of these features provide added control of the knife, depending
on the grip and use.
The Oxus has a harpoon blade profile. What this refers to is where the swedge drops
down to the spine of the knife. On this knife, the spine is flat between the jimping and the
swedge. This surface is a great target when batoning firewood is in order. The Oxus comes
with a sturdy leather sheath designed and built by Skin Bender Leather Works.
Given its size, the Oxus is much more of a field knife than one you might carry in an urban
or suburban environment. The blade stretches to just shy of 6 inches, and the knife weighs
11 ounces without the sheath. However, rather than feeling like a boat anchor, the knife
feels incredibly solid and sturdy.
TESTING
While the Oxus is a combat knife, I decided that discretion was the better part of valor—I
didn’t head off to the “bad part of town” in the wee hours of the morning to see how the
knife would fare against a human opponent. Instead, I set up a series of tests to help me
determine how well the knife would hold up to real-world use.

› Far right: The

sub-hilt is the most
distinguishing
feature of the Oxus
and gives the user
excellent leverage
and control over the
knife.

› Near right: The

jimping at the base
of the 90-degree
spine of the Oxus
assists with control
and retention of the
knife.

66 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

Oxus Sub-Hilt
Specifications
• Overall length: 11.03 inches
• Blade length: 5.79 inches
• Blade steel: CPM 3V
• Sheath: Leather
MSRP: Starting at $415

‹ Right: Even after chopping, the Oxus’ blade

was plenty sharp enough to generate some
curls quite easily.

As is my normal custom when doing a
review, I did not sharpen the blade prior to
testing nor at any point during the process.
To establish something approaching a
baseline, I grabbed a piece of scratch paper
and shaved the edge a bit with the Oxus.
Test #1: Tip Strength and Durability.
The Oxus is a fighting blade, so part of its
design is geared toward penetration. I put
together a stack of cardboard about 1.75
inches thick and then went to town on it
with the Oxus. Each thrust of the knife went through the corrugated cardboard cleanly and
easily, penetrating well into the tree stump underneath.
As you know, corrugated cardboard is very abrasive. The glues used in the manufac-
turing process dry hard, and there is typically some amount of sand, dirt and other grit
that finds its way inside the layers. Upon inspecting the Oxus’ point and blade after
this test, I found no marring, and the blade was still very sharp. The tip had absolutely
no damage whatsoever.
Test #2: Edge Retention Under Force. Because I was already outside in the 20-degree › Below: Chop-
ping through
(F) weather, I hunted up a thick branch from the brush pile. I don’t know if there’s much a thick branch
science behind it, but after the cold temperatures over the preceding few days, that branch with the Oxus
poses absolutely
felt harder and more solid than normal. no trouble.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 67

 › Right: The
leather belt sheath
provided with
the Oxus is thick,
rugged and well-
built.

› Below left:
Resistance is futile!
The Oxus’ blade
penetrated the
stacked cardboard
very easily—
completely through
and into the wood
stump underneath.

‹ Right: A stack of
cardboard, just
waiting to test the
Oxus!

I laid it on the stump and began chop-
ping it in half with the Oxus. I used a fair
amount of the blade, alternating strikes
and angles in order to do so. The branch
parted in short order. For good measure, I
then shaved several curls from one side of
the branch. I readily admit that I am not the
best at feather-sticking, but I was able to
quickly generate a good-sized pile of curls
anyway. The knife performed flawlessly,
S O U R C E S
and the edge appeared unblemished.
Test #3: Slicing Capability. I keep an
Kopis Designs
(518) 423-1731 old length of thick rubber hose around to
KopisDesigns.com use for knife-testing. I do not recall where
Vehement Knives it came from originally, but there is a fair
(906) 420-8686 amount of sediment coating the inside.
VehementKnives.com
After the stabbing and chopping, I hon-
estly expected there to be some difficulty
getting through the hose.
I was wrong. The Oxus cut through the hose without the slightest hesitation. There were
no pulls and no drags, just clean slices from start to finish.
Once the tests were complete and documented, I took another piece of scratch paper
and was easily able to shave the side of it with the Oxus’ knife edge. It held up quite well
to everything that I threw its way—and came back looking for more.
GREAT COLLABORATION, GREAT DESIGNS
The Marlin Spike and the Oxus performed flawlessly during every task I completed.
The Marlin Spike makes for an excellent addition to the standard EDC loadout, particu-
larly when paired with a pocket sheath. It is very useful with a variety of chores—far more
so than I would have predicted.
As for the Oxus, this was my first hands-on experience with a sub-hilt knife. While it
is not my favorite knife design, it is quite comfortable to hold and use. It is definitely a
combat-oriented design, but it adapts to field use quite well. It is a heavy-duty tool that is
designed to provide years of reliable support.
These collaborations between Vehement Knives and Kopis Designs are both well worth
the investments. They are great designs that are executed quite well.

68 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
FROM HOME INVADERS.
BY PAUL RACKLEY

70 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 71
 I
› Above: Prevention slowly went through the house,
is the first part of
protection. Deploy keeping my Smith & Wesson M&P
a video surveillance up, ready to activate the light and
system to increase
your chances of laser if a target appeared. It was
deterring home late, the house was very dark, and I
invaders.
knew it contained multiple assailants.
I went around corners and through doors
slowly, keeping back from the walls, as I
had been taught. I had already taken down
two assailants and only had a little more
to clear. As I went through the last door, I
kicked on the light and saw a man holding
a gun. I immediately fired three rounds center mass.
Right then, Instructor Charlie McNeese kicked on all the lights so we could review my
results in the Gunsite Academy shoot house.
The scenario was conducted during night training and in real-world situations with the
Crimson Trace Lightguard. The Lightguard performed well through four nights of training,
which culminated in the above situation, along with a couple of other scenarios designed
to test the capabilities of both the Lightguard and the shooters.
TRAINING TO FIGHT
I’ve spent most of my life in self-defense training of some form or another. I’ve also been
fortunate enough to work with quite a few expert shooters and even spent an entire day
with legendary gunfighter Walt Rauch. However, it wasn’t until I spent a week at Gunsite

› Near right: Reach

for the door handle
with the support
hand while keeping
the gun up and
ready.

› Far right: When

clearing, keep your
concealment and
cover options in
mind.

72 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

that I truly understood the difference in training to shoot and training to fight.
Shooting is about obtaining a good sight picture to accurately put rounds on target.
Fighting, however, is so much more. Fighting is about using the force necessary—including
deadly force—to defeat an attacker, regardless of the situation. That’s why training is so
important: It makes the mind work tactically to sort situations quickly.
Training is needed for any self-defense situation but especially if you have to clear your
home. In fact, clearing a house just might be the most dangerous scenario you can face. Not
only do you have to search for a potentially dangerous intruder, you also have to positively
identify the target, which could be a family member out of position.
In the Gunsite scenario, I was supposed to clear the house to find a friend who had called
me for help because he was facing multiple intruders. The instructor actually called it a
suicide mission before saying, “He’s a good friend. Go get him.”
It was an experience that expanded on years of training and pushed me to redouble my
efforts in preparing for whatever could happen, even if unlikely. I took another look at my
home-defense plan and started training more in scenarios.

HAVE A PLAN
While it might seem impossible to plan for a seemingly chaotic event, this is actually where
a plan shines. A plan provides an idea of what to do in a certain situation, such as a break-in.
Now, many folks’ first reaction is to go in search of the problem. However, according to Tiger

“ ... CLEARING A HOUSE JUST MIGHT BE

THE MOST DANGEROUS SCENARIO YOU
CAN FACE. NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE TO
SEARCH FOR A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS
INTRUDER, YOU ALSO HAVE TO POSITIVELY
IDENTIFY THE TARGET, WHICH COULD BE A
FAMILY MEMBER OUT OF POSITION.”
‹ Top: Angling the
gun keeps the sights
easily aligned with
the eye in a single-
hand grasp. It is also
more comfortable on
the elbow and helps
prevent someone
from snatching the
gun.

‹ Bottom: After
opening a door,
back away and
carefully “slice the
pie,” looking through
the door to see if an
intruder is waiting.

‹ Left: Burglaries and

home invasions often
occur during daylight
hours, so be alert to
potential threats at all
times.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 73

 ‹ Left: Common
household items
(such as a dresser) can,
at the very least, be
used as concealment.
However, only things
that can stop a bullet
are considered cover—
and there are very
few of these in most
homes.

‹ Below: While grip is

always important, it
is especially crucial
when clearing. You
do not want an
intruder to be able to
snatch the gun away;
nor do you want
to lose your grip at
these ranges.

› Right: While a
gun light is a great
tool, everyone
should learn to use
a handheld light.
Shown here being
held via the “cigar”
method, the light is
placed between the
index and middle
fingers, using the
thumb for activation.
Your flashlight must
have a tailcap switch
for this to work.

McKee of Shootrite Academy, this is the

worst thing to do, particularly if you truly
believe someone has broken into your
home. In fact, he says, “Don’t do it unless
it is a life-and-death situation.”
Single people and couples should hole
up in a safe location, probably the master
bedroom, while parents should use the
room best suited for defending from the
perceived threat. In both situations, you
need to arm yourself—and call the police.
It is their job to catch criminals; your job is
to keep yourself and your family safe. ‹ Left: When clearing,
The family safe room could be the mas- you should always
lean into open
ter, but one of the other bedrooms could areas to check them
work as well ... or even better. If you and instead of stepping
into the space. It is
your wife slip down to the kids’ rooms, you quicker to lean back
might not want to expose them by moving than it is to step back.

74 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

them back to the master.
However, you also need to consider having an escape route. This might mean one room
is better than another due to the direction the room faces; if it has space for a rope
ladder; or even if you have a rebellious teenager for whom you’ve previously sealed a
window. Something else to consider is the ability to throw a spare set of keys to arriving
police. Officers have to get inside to do their job, which might require taking the door
down if they don’t have a key.
Of course, sometimes, family members aren’t in a convenient location. They might be in
the bathroom, the kitchen or even on a different level. For whatever reason, you have to
sometimes leave the safety of a defensive location and go handle the situation. So, you
might want to practice clearing your home before the skills are needed.
AROUND THE CORNERS AND THROUGH THE DOORS
Many folks have bad ideas regarding clearing a house—mostly caused by Hollywood
improperly dramatizing reality. Movies and television fare often shows heroes charging
through doors and around corners all alone, guns ready, before taking out the bad guy in
a dynamic shootout. In the climax, the hero often gets wounded (this is the only part that
would be correct in a real situation), although it’s never life-threatening on the screen.
Going through a door or around a corner without knowing what’s on the other side is a
good way to get shot ... and probably killed. Consequently, dynamic entries should be left
to teams, with a solo homeowner moving slowly and methodically—and not at all, if the
TO CALL OUT
OR NOT
TO CALL OUT
The only reason to clear your home is because it is an
absolute necessity. If you have your family gathered in
a safe location, there is no reason to put your life—or
theirs—in danger. After all, stuff can be replaced; lives
can’t. However, if someone is out of place, you might
have to go in search of them.
This brings up an interesting dilemma: whether or
not you should call out before conducting a search.
Arguments can be made for both sides, but I’m of the
opinion that you should, both to determine the location
of family and even to warn intruders that you’re willing
to fight.
After all, the unusual sounds or activity that raised
the alarm in the first place could be due to a family
member. Calling out keeps you from pointing a gun at
a loved one.
However, you need to have a safe word developed
beforehand, as well as a distress word. An intruder could
be holding the person at gun or knife point, so come up
with a challenge and response for “all clear” and “help.”
I like something simple, such as, “Are you getting a glass
of water?” The response can be “yes” for “safe” and “no”
for “help.”
The second reason I believe in calling out from a safe
location is that I don’t really want to shoot anyone.
And I figure most criminals are lazy cowards who don’t
really want a confrontation. Getting them out of the
house keeps the family safe—which, of course, is the
primary goal.

situation is not critical.

Clearing a house is dangerous work. There
is really no safe way to do it—especially
doing it fast, according to McKee. In fact,
going too fast is the biggest problem he
sees with students.
‹ Left: Clearing a “The more dangerous anything gets, the
house is very risky.
The noise that
slower you need to go to ensure you don’t
alerted you might make mistakes,” McKee points out.
be a child moving
around unexpectedly
This means you have to clear the house
... or they could be slowly and carefully. You also have to keep
investigating the
same sound you
your distance and ease around corners and
heard. through doors in a way that allows you to

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 75

 ‹ Left: You should
always transition
to cover and
concealment when
clearing. Use every
advantage to win; if
you’re in a “fair fight,”
your tactics suck.

› Above: While most

see but still keeps you safe. This tactic is
home invasions
happen at night, known as “slicing the pie,” which involves
you should start looking at the process of going around
practicing in the
daylight. Once you a corner or through a door as if they are
get the motions wedges of a pie. As you ease around,
down, you can then
transfer to drilling you see more sections. This provides the
at night so you can benefit of being behind cover or conceal-
work with a light.
ment if you see an assailant. The idea is
to lean slightly around the corner, taking
one small step at a time without crossing
your feet. You can quickly lean back to get
› Right: Holding a behind cover.
flashlight in your
support hand allows
Going through a door is conducted the
you to move the light same way, with the added motion of open-
without affecting
your aim or shooting
ing the door. Be sure to turn the handle
readiness. with the support hand before backing

ALWAYS
CARRY A
FLASHLIGHT
While a weapon light makes a great tool in a low-light
situation, it makes gun concealment tricky. As a result, it is
advisable to always carry a small handheld light, especially
considering how much the cost of lights has come down.
Many powerful models are available that run on AA batteries
rather than the expensive 123A lithium batteries. away to obtain distance from the cover or concealment.
In addition to illuminating the situation, a flashlight can Distance is much more important than most realize. In fact, this is another situation the
be used to blind potential attackers, and the aluminum entertainment industry gets horribly wrong. It is never advisable to lean or slide down a
housing makes an excellent striking object. wall (as is so often shown by those "gunmasters" of TV and the movies). You want to
However, a small flashlight simply makes a good tool in have distance from walls and any other cover you’re using for protection to shield yourself
the pocket for seeing in the dark. I’ve used mine to help from debris if the cover is hit. It is also never as dark in the movies as in real life, because
change tires, spot horses in a field and even find a baby’s cameras wouldn’t be able to pick up the action in total darkness.
“binky” on a plane. Flashlights are not considered weapons,
so they can go anywhere. SEEING WHAT YOU’RE SHOOTING
While a break-in can happen any time of the day or night, the time most folks would be
home and in danger is well after the sun goes down. In fact, most invasions that happen

76 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

‹ Sometimes, family members aren’t in
a convenient location. They might be in
the bathroom, the kitchen or even on a
different level.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 77

 “ ... TRAINING IS SO IMPORTANT: IT MAKES THE MIND WORK ‹ Your weapons
need to be as ready
TACTICALLY TO SORT SITUATIONS QUICKLY.” as you are—or even
more so—so you can
depend on them if
the SHTF. Be sure to
when the family is home come late at night, when everyone is asleep. Because of this, you least, I put them into a whole lot of pain. keep them properly
really need to have a light with your home-defense gun. However, I did two things wrong. The first maintained at all
times.
Most experts recommend having a light mounted to the gun, such as the Crimson Trace was that while I did not cross my feet while
Lightguard I used at Gunsite. This allows you to instantly see what the gun is pointing at. moving, I did drag them along the floor.
Other folks say a handheld light is actually more versatile. And, of course, they’re right. Part of that problem was caused by the ear
However, handheld lights are much more difficult to use, especially under the stress of protection—I couldn’t hear myself moving.
clearing a home. In addition, for some reason, I didn’t want
I have always felt it is best to have both a gun light and a handheld in this type of situa- to pick up my feet all the way as I moved.
tion. Nothing can beat the feeling of having both your gun and light aimed directly at an The second error I made was that I put
attacker, but it can be beneficial to have a second light that you can hold up and away from three rounds into the man I was supposed
the body. If the intruder fires at the light, their target (you or a family member) is smaller— to be ... saving. I thought he had a gun in S O U R C E S
and hopefully, if hit, it is not life threatening. his hand, but it turned out he was holding
Crimson Trace
Regardless of the type of light used, it needs to have a switch that allows momentary acti- his eyeglasses. In my defense, though, I
(800) 442-2406
vation, because the one downside of a light is that it reveals the holder’s location. This is why was not given a picture of my "friend," CrimsonTrace.com
you should hit the light, quickly scan the area for attackers and then release the light before whom I feel I would have recognized if I
Gunsite Academy
moving. It cannot be overemphasized to always move behind cover after scanning. truly knew him well enough to come to (928) 636-4565
Gunsite.com
his rescue.
GUNSITE EVALUATION Training in a shoot house really makes Shootrite Firearms
Academy, LLC
According to McNeese, I handled the shoot house pretty well overall. I “sliced the pie” one understand the dangers involved
(256) 582-4777
around corners and remembered to back away from doors and cover. I was also accurate, in clearing a house. You might want to Shootrite.org
because every bullet found its intended target. And, if I didn’t eliminate the attacker, at consider trying it.

78 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 SOURCE
SHELTER,
FOOD AND
FIRE UP
NORTH
SURVIVAL TREES OF NORTHERN
CLIMATES
BY REUBEN BOLIEU
A
s a world traveler, I’ve come
to accept that every beautiful
place has a certain degree
of danger that coexists with
its wonders. An ordinary
camping trip or backcountry adventure in
the Pacific Northwest could easily turn into a
battle between life and death because of the
simple act of picking and eating the wrong
berry, mushroom or flower.
BAD INFORMATION
For years, I’ve been frustrated by bad
or misleading references for identifying
trees and plants. Photos of plants, berries,
flowers and trees are sometimes inaccurate
or of poor quality. Sketches from old books
show the bark of a tree but not the leaves—
80 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
or the leaves but not the bark, which is
useless in fall and winter, when leaves are
scarce. Some books and field guides have
only one photo of the tree, plant or flower
in full bloom during their showiest time
of the year. However, as a person study-
ing plant and tree identification to aid in
foraging, this can go beyond frustrating
and approach dangerous. My journey down
this path has become—like anything else I
aspire to master—a lifelong study, with no
graduation day!
The information here is the smallest
drop in the ocean of data on plant, tree
and berry identification, but it’s a good
drop. It pertains to the most common,
easy-to-identify, yet useful, items found
in the Pacific Northwest, as well as many
[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 81
 › Tinders of the
parts of the northern forests of Scandinavia
northern forests
and Russia. Most of this information will include birch
pertain to materials that can be used for bark, cottonwood
and horsehair
fire, shelter and camp crafts because, for lichen and
me, food is the lowest priority in a survival are common
in Alaska,
situation. the Pacific
That said, there are many natural “snacks” Northwest,
Russia and
on the vine that don’t require hunting or Scandinavia.
trapping and can supplement your supplies
and onboard reserves.

COTTONWOOD
Black cottonwood in the wild usually
grows in groups and soars to 150 feet tall.
These trees are most readily identified by
their deeply scored bark and the cotton
› Alder trees all
that emerges from their seed pods in the but strangle a
summer. Sometimes, enough of the cotton hillside in Alaska.
Alder is a soft,
takes flight that the ground looks like it has springy wood that
been dusted with fresh snow. The bark of is ideal for building
camp items. One
this particular tree gets so hard that it can small tree offers a
cause sparks when cut with a chainsaw. variety of branch
diameters for traps,
I first became familiar with this tree through pot hangers and
one of my favorite bushcraft books by famed support poles.
boreal forest guru, Mors Kochanski: Bush-
craft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival.
It is commonly known as black poplar, but
it is very different from the tulip poplar,
found on the U.S. East Coast.
I remember walking around Skagway,
Alaska, when there was a certain white
wispiness in the air. The trails and walkways
were full of this white, cotton-like fluff.
Naturally, I gathered up a handful and put it in a dry place to test it later with a ferrocerium
rod. Not surprisingly, it ignited with a spark. Cottonwood is not only soft enough to carve, it

RESIN
also has the ability to aid in fire-making. However, like most tinders in a wet environment,
it is at its worst when wet. Much like cattail fluff, cottonwood fluff is a flash burn, so if used
as the only tinder available, be prepared and have your fire lay set up beforehand.

USES
Uses for resin taken from conifer trees are numerous. You’ll
often see trees ooze resin when they get damaged, much like
a scab. The resin has antibacterial properties that prevent
the damaged tree from getting infected. The same goes for
humans, because resin can be used on cuts and burns in the
field. Additionally, pitch glue can be made to provide strong
waterproofing for crafts, shoes and tools. The waxy resin can
be used as a temporary filling for a tooth.
Resin, in its hard state, can be added to a flame to accelerate
and prolong a fire. When it is gummy and more on the liquid
side, it can be collected, along with other combustible materials
(such as lichen, cottonwood fluff and shredded cedar bark),
and wrapped in any leaf that will keep the resin from getting on
everything in your kit. When needed, it can be added to a small
flame to really take your fire to the next level.
› Another conifer is the balsam fir. It has cones that sit atop the branches, pointing upward, and
blisters on its silvery-gray bark that are full of resin.

82 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 ‹ Near left: Alder
leaves, with their
deep-dark-green,
uneven toothy
edges and catkins
(seed clusters), are
elliptic to ovate in
shape. The leaves
are shallowly
lobed, with coarse
teeth; and the leaf
margins are rolled
under (pictured
here is a red alder).

› Above: Spruce BIRCH fairly easy to split. However, I don’t think I

needles make a
good tea that is
In my opinion, when it comes to a multi-use tree, birch takes the cake. From building have ever needed to do so in Alaska.
rich in vitamin C canoes, knife sheaths, knife handles, bowls, cups, utensils to making birch oil, the birch’s
and easy to make
with only hot
wood and bark have proven to be highly useful. ALDER
water. Black, white Birch wood is considered a hardwood—but on the soft side of the scale. Leaves are triangular Yet another multi-use tree, alder is used
and Sitka spruce
dominate Alaska’s
to broadly oval and doubly toothed, with shiny, dark-green tops and light-yellowish-green with to smoke salmon in Alaska and is a good
Tongass National tiny dots underneath. It is deciduous and most recognized for its white, flaky bark that often wood for making camp. Much like willow,
Forest.
peels in large, paper-like strips. The wood makes an excellent heating source, and the bark will alder can be used for making cooking
readily burn, even when wet. utensils and anything requiring stout,
From a camping or survival position, the gem of this tree is the bark. It truly is the best green wood. I have made stakes, digging
type of tinder one could ask for in a wet or dry environment. I have used wet birch bark to sticks and tongs for flipping and rescuing
slowly feed a fire, as well as to catch the initial spark of a ferrocerium rod. It peels like thin food that falls into the fire. I made two
paper; and, the thinner the bark, the better it is for tinder. The wood is clean burning and Burtonsville Rigs for heating up water over

› The author made

a simple bed by
using sphagnum
moss as a cushion
over the bed poles
and a layer of
hemlock over the
top for comfort.
Layering the large
hemlock boughs
kept everything
underneath from
poking through and
kept the moss in
place.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 83

 a campfire with alder wood.
From the birch family, alders are found in California up to Alaska and Canada. Alders are
deciduous, and the leaves are alternate, simple and serrated. In the Pacific Northwest,
white alders are commonly found near streams, rivers and wetlands.
Novices often mistake alders for birch trees due to their similar catkins (seed clusters).
Like all green wood, alder resists heat well and is easy to carve. When alder wood is dry, it
is one of the best woods for kindling and is soft enough to shave down to thin fuzz sticks
to use as tinder for a ferrocerium rod. As fuel, it remains the top wood for smoking meat in
Alaska.

CONIFERS
These cone-bearing seed plants are mostly trees (although some are shrubs). Typical
examples include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauris, larches, pines, redwoods, spruces
and yews. Alaska has most of these. These standout trees are easy to identify, are abundant
and very useful in wilderness applications.
For shelter-building and fire-making, hemlock yields many resources. The large, panel-like
boughs provide a lot of coverage, like an umbrella. For a shelter, unlike pines and spruce,
hemlocks have flat needles that shed water much easier and with less material than other
trees. The coverage that hemlock provides leaves a nice, dry spot underneath the tree’s
canopy—devoid of water and snow. This is a good place to take emergency refuge. Also,
it blocks sun from the lower, smaller branches; they die yet stay on the tree—a perfect
example of “standing deadwood.” In addition, these thin, dry twigs are the perfect
materials for kindling.
Spruce trees include white, black and Sitka. All of these, along with the hemlock (not to
be confused with poison hemlock, which is an invasive plant), can be used to make a tea
high in vitamin C. I favor the taste of spruce and pine tea more than hemlock.
The wood from conifers is great for kindling to start a fire; however, because all of it is ‹ Above: Spruce resin is highly useful in a
coniferous forest. It is easily harvested with a
very low on the BTU scale, it takes a lot and is known to be considered “spit-fire wood.” sharp stick or knife and can be kept for later use.
This can be dangerous and harmful to us—and the forest—because the embers shoot out All conifer trees have some sort of resin that
appears when the trees are injured.
at great distances and get carried in the wind.

‹ Near and far left, top:

The author used the
abundant green alder
to make different
cooking ranges and
a Burtonsville Rig
that raises the height
of the cook pot with
various notches.
Green alder is very
useful for making
camp implements.

‹ Far left, bottom:

Birch bark in the
Tongass National
Forest in southeast
Alaska. This is a
readily available
tinder source found
in the northern
forest.

84 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 › Near right: The
pink-purple
salmonberry flower
is easy to see and
identify by its five
petals. The flower
can be seen before
any fruit start to
appear.

› Far right: Black

velvet gooseberry is
less common, but its
flavor is very good
to excellent when it
ripens on the bush.
Black velvet has
won awards for its
superb qualities of
being disease and
mildew resistant.

“ ... THERE ARE MANY NATURAL ‘SNACKS’ ON THE VINE THAT

DON’T REQUIRE HUNTING OR TRAPPING AND CAN SUPPLEMENT
YOUR SUPPLIES AND ONBOARD RESERVES.”
› Below, left: Salm-
onberries are usu- Balsam fir is another great “fire tree.” This means that it yields resinous blisters that aid shorelines. They form large thickets in open
ally orange to deep
bright red when in fire acceleration (and it also acts as an antiseptic for cuts and burns). I use lichen to areas and thrive in open spaces. The berry
ripe. The berry has a soak up the resin and wrap both in a leaf. Resin dries hard and is easily added to a fire to resembles a large, shiny-yellow/orange-red
raspberry-like shape
and is very common really give it more burn time. It can also be added to cotton fluff from a cottonwood tree, blackberry and is easy to identify by its
in Alaska. which is usually not too far away in late July and August. flower, which features five pinkish-purple
To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, petals. Even when not completely ripe,
› Below, right: Blue- square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, they have a good taste. Blueberries are
berries the author flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers. The easiest way to tell them apart from a low-growing shrubs that grow in tundra,
found in the Tongass
National Forest. Easy distance would be that spruce cones hang down from branches, while fir cones sit on them, open woods, old burn areas, above the
to spot and always pointing upward. timberline and in low-lying bogs.
tasty, blueberries are
used for jams, add- The Alaska berry-picking season is
ing to cereals ... or BERRIES anywhere from July to late September.
just eating straight
off the plant. Blueberries and salmonberries are plentiful during the later summer months. Black velvet Salmon- and blueberries are safe and
gooseberries are also good but not as common. Salmonberries are often found on the easy to identify. A few more berries to
sides of trails, roads and walkways, as well as moist coastal forests, stream sides, bogs and mention are cloudberries, bunchberries,

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 85

86 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
“FROM BUILDING CANOES, KNIFE SHEATHS,
KNIFE HANDLES, BOWLS, CUPS, UTENSILS
AND MAKING BIRCH OIL, THE BIRCH’S
WOOD AND BARK HAVE PROVEN TO BE
HIGHLY USEFUL.”

‹ When it’s dry, horsehair lichen is some of the best tinder to catch a spark with. However, the
smallest amount of moisture will make it difficult to ignite; even so, repeated strikes from a
ferrocerium rod will dry it out, as will friction from rolling it in the hands.

currant and wild raspberries. However, the aforementioned berries are more plentiful
and easier to identify.

LICHEN
I think only of tinder for a fire when collecting lichen. Old-man’s beard and horsehair
lichen are easy to find—with zero effort. Green and dark-brownish to black, lichen hangs
from branches and can easily be harvested and stored in a dry place to catch a spark for a
fire. Lichen is often combined with resin to assure getting a fire burning fast. When using it
as tinder, lichen can be further dried out by rolling it between your hands: The friction will
help heat up and dry out the thin material if it is slightly damp. As with most natural tinder,
lichen is at its worst when wet ... which seems to be when we need it most!

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 87

 MOSS
In Alaska, two types of moss really shine for our
purposes: Sphagnum and caribou moss seem to be the
most useful for wilderness camp and survival needs.
Sphagnum moss can be peeled off large boulders easily. It
forms a cushiony "bog mat" that even floats. It can be used
as insulation and bedding for a pole bed or on the ground.
In its green, damp stage, it is an amazing way to steam
veggies by wrapping them up in the moss and placing the
assembly over hot coals. The moisture rises and cooks
(even hard carrots) thoroughly. Its absorbent qualities
make it ideal to clean and dry camp cookware.
Caribou moss is soft and fluffy but dries fast when
plucked from the ground. It makes an excellent scouring
pad for cleaning cookware. When it dries out, it catches and August are when everything has "come to the table," so to speak. Enjoying wild blue-
a good spark for fire-making. It is also known as reindeer berries, salmonberries and black velvet gooseberries gave me a feeling as if I were on a roll.
moss in other parts of the North American forests as far Then, I came across a red berry that, surprisingly, was still on the branches when most of
south as Alabama. the “good berries” were becoming scarce because of harvesting by hikers and local wildlife. I
picked a small amount and decided to just try one before changing my mind. But, after fur-
ther investigating, they turned out to be red baneberries—the most infamous poisonous

POISONOUS PLANTS
Beautiful things catch our attention. There
› Above: Caribou
is a natural curiosity that draws us to bright, moss is soft at first
colorful things. It is natural to want to ven- and then dries out
for a good tinder
ture toward a blue waterfall, colorful patch source. It burns well
of flowers, berries and fruit on a tree. We when combined
with resin from
want to reach for them—and we often do. a balsam fir tree
Amanita Mushrooms or “Death Cap.” blister.
While not all amanitas are toxic, several
are notably so. This genus is responsible › Right, top: Dry
for 95 percent of mushroom poisonings. horsehair lichen is
ready and prepped
In fact, experts avoid eating any of them, for a small fire in
because identification is so difficult. Even Alaska. This is good
to gather when on
if consumption is followed by immediate the trail and keep
hospitalization afterward, someone who near your body to
heat it up if it is a
eats some amanita mushrooms stands little damp.
about a 10 percent chance of perishing
and might require an organ transplant. If
a person waits more than 60 hours, the
possibility of mortality jumps significantly
to approximately 90 percent and, even if
they survive, they are often disabled for the
remainder of their lives. (Still, amanita is,
by far, the most attractive mushroom I have
seen in the forest.)
Berries. With visual appeal similar to
attractive mushrooms, berries require a › Horsehair lichen
with a piece of
few rules to go by—and some rules that spruce resin
contradict them as well. This makes it risky wrapped inside.
The spark was
business when it comes to sampling. caught from the
A few years ago, while in Skagway, I felt I ferrocerium rod on
the lichen, and the
was getting a good grasp on my tree, plant resin supplied more
and berry identification. The months of July fuel and burn time.

88 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 ‹ Small fiddleheads
are used as a vege-
table. They can be
eaten by sautéing
or boiling them in
a soup.

‹ Below: The red

baneberry is quite
possibly the most
poisonous berry
“AN ORDINARY CAMPING TRIP OR BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE in Alaska. The
author did not dare
IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COULD EASILY TURN INTO A BATTLE to try them out.
Note that the small,
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE ACT OF red berries have a
black dot that helps
PICKING AND EATING THE WRONG BERRY, MUSHROOM OR FLOWER.” identify them.

‹ Near right: The

amanita mushroom
is called “The Death
Cap” for obvious
reasons. This is one
to appreciate from a
distance—but never
try to eat one.

berry in Alaska. And, because they taste so
bitter, people often spit baneberries out
before swallowing them. Nevertheless,
if they are ingested, symptoms include
stomach cramps, dizziness, vomiting,
diarrhea, delirium and circulatory failure. In
fact, eating six or more berries can result in
respiratory distress and cardiac arrest.
TRIAL AND ERROR
Getting into plant and tree identification is a good way to spend time in the forest. Many
small, waterproof field guides and phone apps are available for identifying plants and
trees in the wild. Take pictures to compare what you find to other sources, and you will be
more likely to recognize useful—and deadly—species more accurately.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 89

 S O U R C E S

Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving

the Aftermath, Ted Koppel; Broadway Books, 288 pages

Extreme Simplicity: Homesteading in the City,

Christopher Nyerges; Dover Books, 256 pages

The Self-Sufficient Home: Going Green and Saving Money,

Christopher Nyerges; Stackpole Books, 288 pages

How to Survive Anywhere: A Guide for Urban, Suburban,

Rural and Wilderness Environments, Christopher Nyerges;
Stackpole Books, 304 pages

90 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

POWERFUL ALTERNATIVES FOR WHEN THE GRID GOES DOWN

W
BY CHRISTOPHER NYERGES

e’ve all grown accustomed to having electricity in our lives. Some would even say
we’re addicted. However you see it, modern life as we know it would cease to
exist without the steady flow of electrons. But most of us have so acclimated our
lives to the availability of electricity that it is hard to imagine any life without it.
We flip the switch and we have light, or a TV, radio or the computer, along with a
whole host of power tools for your shop and yard. Modern banking would not exist without electricity,
nor would modern communication.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 91

 › Right: These We’re fortunate that so many inroads
children are doing
their homework by
have been made to de-centralize electricity,
candlelight during at least for those who choose to educate
a major power
outage.
themselves and build little systems so they
can get off the grid, whether a little or a lot,
and be able to have power if the whole grid
goes down.
Ted Koppel (from the popular Nightline TV
news show) wrote a book called Lights Out
in which he explored what it might take for
a terrorist to take down what are essentially
three grids in the United States. Although
he points out that this would not be easy,
it could be done. Koppel also points out,
perhaps to the dismay of the reader, that
there is really no meaningful action plan to
deal with such an eventuality.
We have no crystal ball, but let’s just look
at life without electricity and explore the would be better able to survive than those who are not prepared.
way in which we would then live. First, there would be widespread panic, because the means of communication, except word
› Below: During an
extended blackout of mouth, would be eliminated. The lack of communication means much more than not
in a city, the only THE TRANSITION knowing what happened and if efforts are being made to resolve the situation. It means that
lights you are likely
to see are the head- If electricity were to go out suddenly and whatever method you have relied upon to communicate with your family, students, fellow
lights of residents without warning, the results would be disas- workers and others will now be unavailable.
who are bugging
out. trous in today’s society ... although a prepper In the interim, stand-alone walkie-talkies could be of some help. Even so, we will all suddenly

92 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 “IF ELECTRICITY WERE TO GO OUT SUDDENLY AND local stores? Most people use credit cards all
the time, which is a modern marvel of technol-
WITHOUT WARNING, THE RESULTS WOULD BE ogy that can only exist in an interconnected
DISASTROUS IN TODAY’S SOCIETY ... ALTHOUGH A world powered by electricity.
PREPPER WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO SURVIVE THAN People have always figured out how
to buy, sell and trade, even before there
THOSE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED.” was electricity. But, in a transition to no
electricity, people might not have access to
their money—maybe temporarily, and maybe
permanently, depending on the nature of
the emergency. If the power stays out long
enough, it is probable that money will lose its
trade value for anything greater than its val-
ue as paper or metal. A one-dollar bill makes
just as good kindling as a 100-dollar bill.
People in rural areas have quite an advan-
tage over people in the urban centers, because
they are more likely to know where all their
needs are coming from; and they are more
likely to be producers of a raw commodity they
can then trade for needs.
In urban areas, however, everyone tends
to buy everything that’s needed, and any
food, animal or craft production is nearly
always at a “hobby” level. A major disaster
that takes out electricity will simultaneously
take out the ability for most urban people to
conduct ordinary transactions. In the interim,
people should band together for protec-
and painfully learn that we relied overly much on technology and have scant few alternatives. ‹ Above: During tion, because they should expect violence,
a power outage,
Rural areas would do somewhat better for a variety of reasons. Bells and other sounding repair crews will be chaos and unpredictable social and political
devices could be used for communication, as could fires on hilltops, but these systems all out in full force to climates during such a period until people
get electricity flow-
took time to develop in the past. A clear method of communication would not be established ing back to homes figure out a new way of doing things.
immediately, and I can visualize a brisk business in bicycle couriers who could hand-deliver and businesses. Do not underestimate the severe impact
notes and news. the lack of access to money will have on your
You should always discuss the day’s plans with family members and review action plans and life and on society as a whole.
gathering points so you’ll be on the “same page” in the event of an emergency. My suggestion is to constantly have these
questions in the back of your mind: What
MONEY MATTERS would I do if I could not get cash today? What
Too many of us rely on the ability to go to a bank regularly and use the ATMs that can be can I do differently each day to be better
found almost everywhere. Additionally, have you ever watched how people buy things at prepared if that ever happened?

‹ Far left: The only

connection many
people have with
their money is
through an ATM.
Without electricity,
these machines will
be nothing more
than locked safes.

‹ Near left: ATMs in

insecure locations
can signal thieves
that some cash is
about to become
available.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 93

 ‹ Left: Teach
children how to
plant and grow
food, and they
will be prepared
to supplement
their food needs
throughout their
lives.

› Above: Raised gar- There are many options, such as always fuels, such as gasoline. Essential skills for any society at any time would be farming, protection,
dens are increasingly
popular and can
having extra cash and coin on hand— processing foods, sewing clothing, creating everyday products, mechanics, plumbers, etc.
provide plenty of well-hidden, of course. Improve your situ- While it is unlikely that we would see a quick and rapid descent of a society into a “stone age,”
vegetables and other
produce for your
ation by regularly purchasing a little more the more you can do for yourself and your community, the more prepared you will be.
family or trading of the basics than you need so you have When you buy tools and gear, always think about your ability to do a project as if there were
partners.
something extra for barter if necessary. In no electricity. Electric drills are quick, but hand-cranked drills are easy to come by, and they do
times of duress, such as war, the best barter the job in almost the same amount of time. For the kitchen, there are hand-cranked alterna-
items tend to be those that feed the vices: tives to electric coffee grinders, juicers, food processors and other modern conveniences. In
alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, sugar and salt fact, most home tasks can be done without electricity and with minimal adjustment. In the
(all of which have great shelf lives). average household, perhaps the two appliances that everyone uses and that would be hard to
replace are the refrigerator and the washing machine.
BARTER A SKILL In previous issues of American Survival Guide, we’ve addressed how people washed clothes in
Regardless of what you do for income the past (by hand), and we shared how most of the gear needed can be purchased at stores
day in and out, you should always have a where the Amish shop; Lehman’s, for example. Refrigerators that are 12V DC are available at
backup skill or ability to make something RV outfitters but are not in wide use. Still, you could obtain such a refrigerator and power it
that would be in some demand if the normal indefinitely with a few solar panels.
functioning of society disappeared. Some Otherwise, without refrigeration, many stored foods would spoil, and everyone would need
of those skills include: auto repair, bicycle to immediately start canning, drying or pickling foods. Those who have already been involved
repair, plumbing, electrical work, courier in home food storage would be well ahead of the game, because they already know some of
service, protection services, firearms repair,
locksmithing, washing clothes, making and
repairing clothes and footwear, and black-
smithing—to name just a few.
These are some of the things you could
make that would always be in demand:
alcohol (beer, wine and moonshine), soups,
dried vegetables, canned goods, clothing,
soap, candles and other commodities people
use regularly.
Sometimes, there is no way to know in
advance which skill or product will be in the
most demand. But, by studying the details
of what happens during wartime or severe
economic depression, you will realize that if
the things we ordinarily take for granted are
suddenly not there, someone can earn their
keep by filling that need.
› Right: Now is a
good time to begin PLANNING
growing your own
produce, whether in
Never forget that just a few very basic
a backyard garden commodities are the basis for a society—
in the suburbs or a
group garden in an
anywhere and at any time. These are water,
urban area. food, clothing and shelter, in addition to

94 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

 › Near right: Knowl-
edge of low-tech
weaponry is a skill
that will always
serve you well.
Here, Paul Campbell
(left) shows Dude
McLean an arrow
he just made in the
traditional style.

› Far right: In one of

the author’s classes
on self-reliance,
students learn how
to make traditional
long bows.

› Near right: Pascal

Baudar shows stu-
dents how to set up
a simple quail trap
for capturing birds.
Such a trap is silent.

“IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION, YOU HAVE TO ACT WISELY—OFTEN › Above: Learning

how to make things
QUICKLY AND WITHOUT MISTAKES. YOU WILL ALSO LIKELY NEED from nature is a
skill that is even
TO MAKE HARSH DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD AND more valuable if
your cash becomes
SHOULD NOT DO.” worthless. Here, au-
thor Nyerges (with
shovel) is showing
the basics. As readers of this magazine would know, food storage is a topic that is addressed From a survival and self-reliance standpoint, students how to
identify clay in the
often, as well as growing our own food. Gardening will be quite important, because you won’t it is actually very important to have as many wild. Later, these
have the luxury of shopping at grocery stores for food to preserve. interactions as possible with people of diverse students processed
the wild clay and
economic classes, races and backgrounds. made pots. (Photo:
SOCIAL INTERACTION Your willingness to be open to sharing Rick Adams)
Some people think that they will be a “Rambo” and do everything themselves after some knowledge and experiences, working with dif-
disaster. If you are capable of that, well, good luck to you! But, in my opinion, you’ll do far ferent people and finding areas of common-
better by developing as many contacts and relationships as possible right now, because these ality will go a very long way to making doors
contacts with other people will be your lifeline when things go sour. Plus, working with other open in your life when you need them opened.
people to solve problems is far more fulfilling and enjoyable than going it alone. Keep in mind In other words, the more contacts (“doors”)
that the local population is likely to be smaller and somewhat different than those who lived you have, the greater the chance that one or
there before the grid went down, so the more local folks you’re familiar with now, the better more will open when you need it to.
off you’ll be later.
We’ve all heard the expression, “When one door closes, three more open.” New opportunities PEOPLE, NOT THINGS
might result from losing old opportunities but, in part, this depends on what made the first In a survival situation, you have to act wisely—
door close in the first place, among other things. often quickly and without mistakes. You will
In the context of our discussion, it’s important to see the world as it really is. What does also likely need to make harsh decisions about
“when one door closes” mean? It can mean that you got fired from a job; that a comet hit what you should and should not do.
your part of town; or that someone close to you has died. It can mean a lot of things. So, in I am a great fan of writing a list for myself
terms of “doors opening,” it is important to realize that nearly everything in your life happens on a daily basis. This is even more important
as a result of your interactions with other people and their interactions with you. People who in a survival setting, in which you might not
say, “I am not a people person,” are those who tend to keep doors closed all around them. be able to think clearly. Write a list, prioritize

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 95

 the tasks, and stick to your list as much as › Right: What might
start as a hobby
possible during the day. could develop into
My Dirttime.com friend, Vec, used to tell us a way for you to
generate extra cash
that the solution to our problems is always or make goods for
within two bodies away. And, if it isn’t, he’d bartering for other
things you need.
tell us, it isn’t our problem. This is interesting
advice, and I never forgot it. I would not
memorize this as if it were some sort of
dogma, but Vec had a way of keeping us real
and being pragmatic when it mattered.

SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

Join your local neighborhood watch. Get to
know your neighbors and become an active
part of your local system of communication
and crime-prevention activity. If your neigh-
borhood doesn’t have one of these groups,
start one. (Need help getting started? Go to
www.NNW.org.)
Take advantage of local CERT training.
› Below right:
Making and
“HOWEVER YOU SEE IT, MODERN LIFE AS WE
This is an excellent way to see who’s who repairing furniture
is a skill that
KNOW IT WOULD CEASE TO EXIST WITHOUT
and what systems will come into play in the will always be in
demand, and it
THE STEADY FLOW OF ELECTRONS. BUT MOST
aftermath of an emergency. You might be
surprised to learn what sort of plans already
can be done with
hand tools. What
OF US HAVE SO ACCLIMATED OUR LIVES TO
exist for dealing with local emergencies. might start as a
side business can
THE AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRICITY THAT IT IS
(Find a local CERT training opportunity near become a key way
for you to barter for
HARD TO IMAGINE ANY LIFE WITHOUT IT.”
you at www.Ready.gov/cert.)
supplies, food and
Learn how to grow at least some of your gear you’ll need if
own food. If you have absolutely no idea the grid collapses.

12 TOP
BARTER
ITEMS
• Toilet paper
• Alcohol (all forms, including the do-it-yourself variety)
• Chocolate (has a great shelf life)
• Tobacco (cigarettes, tobacco, loose)
• Aspirin (and various common medical supplies)
• Vitamins (in small containers)
• Food, canned goods (small and compact)
how to start, look for your local neighborhood garden or a local farmer. In addition, get a
• First aid supplies (bandages, tape, disinfectant)
gardening book at the library, such as any of the quality gardening books from Rodale Books.
• Feminine hygiene supplies
You can also check out many useful gardening videos on YouTube.
• Soap (bar soap and liquid soap)
Join a gun club and learn how to safely, effectively and ethically use a firearm. (How do you
• Small sewing kits
find a local gun club? Check online or check https://Explore.NRA.org/programs/clubs/ for
• Batteries (ideally rechargeable, because they can be
local clubs and ranges.)
reused hundreds of times)
Make the decision to learn a few new skills. Don’t overthink this—and don’t put it off!
• ***Is ammunition a good barter item? In theory, yes, but
Begin with those skills that interest you. This might mean taking some classes at a local
in an emergency, you won’t want to barter away any of
junior college, tech school or privately. Yes, I know you are already a very busy person with
your ammo, especially to people you don’t know or trust.
family and work and home. And I agree that education is expensive in many ways, but
ignorance is even more expensive.

96 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]

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AD INDEX
APRIL 2020
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American Survival Guide is not responsible for omissions or typographical errors on names or page numbers.
 DESPERATE TIMES
CALL FOR
DESPERATE MEASURES
T
his is certainly shaping up to be an interesting year. No matter
in what direction you look, there are topics and issues that
seem destined, if not designed, to drive division and anxiety
in our country.
With so many people concerned about the safety and
sustainability of their homes and neighborhoods during times of social
upheaval, we’ve taken a closer look in this April issue at some options for
those who are increasingly convinced they will need to bug out when times
get too tough to shelter in place.
More and more, it seems the biggest and most-widespread threat to
our peaceful way of life—particularly for those who live in crowded and
contentious suburban and urban environments—will come from people
who live near us and not from Mother Nature. And, while there’s been an
increase in tension between the United States and Iran as of this writing,
there’s still a greater chance that the domestic political and social scenes
will be more likely to foment large disturbances and violence in the streets
than sustained terrorist threats from abroad.
As the election season spools up and political rhetoric and campaign
ads multiply, there’ll be many opportunities for groups to be incited to
action; some of that might have the potential to turn vicious. In the worst
scenarios, neighborhoods and larger sections of urban areas might devolve
into pockets of anarchy.
Tolerant and peaceable social mores and the practice of good manners
continue to erode. As a result, people will have less patience and empathy
in their dealings for those who disagree with them—especially when it’s
done in ways they consider to be antisocial and antagonistic. Tempers will
wear thin, and perceptions of being insulted and marginalized will abound.
Of course, we hope this won’t come to pass, but we believe it’s possible—
and therefore, prudent—to prepare for the risk. If your section of town or
neighborhood or an adjoining area becomes embroiled in confrontation
(along with increased street violence, loss of public services, the means
to safely go to work and school, and dwindling access to food and other
necessities), what will you do?
Do you believe your best option is to hunker down—either alone, with
family or an extended group—or will you be better off far from the “X,” at
© GETTY IMAGES
98 AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE [APRIL 2020]
BY MIKE MCCOURT
least until the situation calms down enough to rationalize returning?
In our last issue’s cover story, we looked into bugging out with a small
plane. It’s an option with significant upsides, but the financial commitment
doesn’t fit into most budgets. This month’s issue has articles that discuss
clearing your home of invaders, dealing with grid-down scenarios and
the importance of training mind and body for challenging self-defense
situations—all of which can come into play when sheltering in place.
Next month’s issue will cover topics that are more specific to bugging
out, regardless of the reason. By doing a self-evaluation, you’ll be able to
see where your bug-out plan needs some improvement to ensure its best
chance of success.
We’ll also take a look at loading up your bug-out vehicle. Obviously, you
can’t take everything with you, and you have to pack what you’ll be able to
carry in such a way that your bug-out vehicle doesn’t scream to others, “Free
gear and food here!” as you rumble down the road. Our gear guide will focus
on cooking stoves so you can make the most of your meals on the move and
in the bush.
In the meantime, remember to visit our website (ASGMAG.com), at which
you’ll find more than 800 articles on a wide variety of prepping and survival
topics written by people who’ve tested and validated the advice they provide.
The most important thing you can do as we move into the summer is to
keep your eyes, ears and options open and monitor situations in your area
and on the state and local levels. If you watch for them, you can see the
warning signs of trouble. Don’t get caught flat-footed because you didn’t
think it could happen to you.
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