Posts Tagged ‘2013’

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

It’s not easy to set the alarm for 5:30 AM. But the prospect of free food was too alluring. My bro and I geared up, and went down to the beach in Seaside OR, right off of Avenue U. There were swarms of foragers looking for clam shows. The dimples in the sand were everywhere. We got our limit of 15 razor clams in about 30 minutes. Mission successful! We will be back soon. I hope my video entertains, and informs. We had fun shooting it. Maybe next time Survival Bros will show you how we cook the squirmy grub. Thanks for visiting this blog. Comments are always appreciated. Happy hunting. Peace and love.

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This is just under the limit for 2 people with licenses.

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Win this awesome Coast Products HL27 headlamp! Retailing at $74.99. It’s a whopping 309 lumens, and will last 3 hours and 45 minutes on three AA batteries (included).

This powerful and versatile light is going to a good home. To enter for free, all you have to do is LIKE this blog post on Survival Bros dot com, AND leave a positive COMMENT saying why you need this gear. Survival Bros founder Cameron McKirdy will pick one deserving prepper, based on their thoughtful comment. You must be in the United States to enter. The NEW Coast HL27 in gift box ships to the winner at our expense.

The full Survival Bros product review is coming soon. Good luck. Giveaway ends at midnight Pacific Time on April 31, 2013. Must be 18. Thanks for getting involved in our fun alternative news community. Peace.

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For more information about this Coast product visit http://www.coastportland.com

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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

You’re off the grid, but you need power. That’s when you wish you invested in a solar panel charger, like the Solarmonkey from Powertraveller that I tested in the HD video above.

If I’m alone in the woods, it’s nice to know my cell phone has power just in case. That’s why the Solarmonkey Adventurer comes with. If I fall off a cliff, having my iPhone handy sure beats a whistle. Powertraveller has created a huge variety of solar chargers, excellent for any job. From small ones that can give your phone a boost, to large solar panels that can keep your laptop running. I like the Solarmonkey Adventurer because it’s a great size for backpacking, and mountain biking.

The powerful internal lithium polymer battery is 2500mAh, and will charge fully in 12 hours or less. Plus, you can charge the battery, and a device at the same time, saving time.  And it can plug into a wall, or DC outlet.  I was shocked at how fast it charges my phone. The system is lightweight too, tipping the scales at only 9.3 ounces.  The dimensions are 6.6 x 3.7 x 0.8 inches.

It comes with many tips to be compatible for your device, and a heavy-duty “Monkeytail” cable made just for Apple products. The neoprene case it comes in is durable also. It will keep the solar panels safe, and secure. A carabiner is included. I use that often so it can just hang off my bag. As I mentioned in the video review, the panels are shock and water-resistant. It outlasted me pouring water on it while charging, and surprisingly worked after I froze it. The Solarmonkey Adventurer from Powertraveller is badass. I can easily recommend it to my friends.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros.  Come back soon.

kershaw blur gbThis is the blade I carry every day.  It’s the famous Kershaw Blur, but with a carbide tip designed to shatter glass with ease.  It does, as you can see in my video review below.  

I’ve been testing the Kershaw Blur for 2 months now.  I love it.  It’s quality, and produced locally in Tualatin, OR.  I rep gear made in the USA as much as possible, especially Oregon.  The first thing that fascinated me with the knife is the unique design.  It’s beautiful.  Simple.  Elegant.  The subtle curves are sexy.  I couldn’t wait to get her out of the box.  Initially, I noticed how fine the blade is.  It’s razor sharp.  Also, I was impressed with how well the scallops cut.  Slicing through materials like cardboard, plastic, rope, and paper is effortless, and so is opening it, thanks to the SpeedSafe assist.  It flies out, and feels extremely secure in place with the liner lock.

Another excellent feature is the rigid angled thumb studs.  You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to grip the nubs, and whip it out.  Kershaw really made something special with the Blur.  They even upgraded the steel in this new version to Sandvik 14C28N with DLC coating.  So it’s tough.  Which brings me to the tiny carbide tip embedded in the aircraft aluminum handle.  People don’t even notice the special tip at first, but believe me, it works.  I broke a sheet of glass in my video, plus several bottles with minimal effort.  The glass breaking feature is one I have to have on my EDC knife.  It could save my life if I’m ever trapped in a vehicle, and it’s not bad for self defense either.  

The Kershaw Blur is a great size, and light at only 4.2 ounces.  I like the blade length too, at 3 3/8″.  The overall length is 7 7/8″, and 4 1/2″ closed.  And the belt clip is removable, so you can have the tip up or down.  In the end, this is the knife I trust with my life right now.  It’s blacked out, and stealth.  But above all, it’s well made, and sharp as hell.  Survival Bros gives it 5 Stars.  I can’t complain about it at all, besides the handles getting a little scratched up after smashing so much glass.  I go into more detail in my HD video review below.  Please comment, and feel free to ask me any questions about it.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros – Emergency Preparedness.

Visit http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/ for more.

When in St. Louis, I made it out to Budweiser Headquarters, and home of the world-famous Clydesdale horses.  The giant Bud complex is a national historic landmark.  The state-of-the-art bottling plant makes about 6 six-packs per second.  And it takes a month to produce a beer.  Watch the HD video of my tour, and let me know what you think.  I had a blast on the 45 minute tour.  The best was scoring pretzels, and two free beers.  Urban foraging at it’s finest.  Take the tour if you have a chance.

- Cameron

gear

The Portland Expo Center is hosting the 38th annual Pacific Northwest Sportsman’s show from February 6 – 10, 2013.  I went on opening day.  It was $8 to park, and another $12 for admission.  I made the trip worthwhile, checking out every booth and demonstration.

This show has something for every adventurer.  There’s boating, rving, and fishing exhibits, to name a few.  So if you’re looking for gear, or ideas on where to travel, this is for you.  I was impressed with the high amount of outfitters around.  There’s a guide for everything under the sun.  Most were for hunting trips, but I saw whitewater rafting experts offering their services too.  I liked talking up the small, mom and pop vendors with interesting, lesser known products.  My favorite item I found is called Squat Strap (www.squatmonkey.com).  It’s a strap that wraps around a tree, or rock to help support you while you go poop.  Brilliant.  Now I can read a business book outside, while doing my business.  I had to get a strap to test.  More on that soon. 

I also talked to a local inventor named Andy Gorman.  He developed the Retractable Tool Tether, so you stop dropping things (www.retractabletooltether.com).  I picked up a few of these to review also.  I’ll put one on my jacket, and one on my EDC backpack.  Maybe I will stop losing things.  Doubtful.

There was lots to peruse, and stuff to sample.  I tasted storable foods, oils, jams, meats, and energy drinks.  Skoal was giving away cans of chew, put I passed.  The Expo was serving beer as well.  And at one booth you could try panning for gold, or buy a small nugget.  Fun, but I will be panning outside.  I shopped knives too, and picked up product catalogs to browse later.   If you like the outdoors better than the indoors, visit this show before it’s gone.   

truck

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Survival Bros President Cameron McKirdy getting the full service “enhanced” pat down at STL. That’s what you get for opting out of the naked body scanners.

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By Cameron McKirdy

I’m starting the new year, 2013, with a healthy total body cleanse. I began today with a raw juice drink. My Jack LaLanne Power Juicer muscled through garlic, ginger, organic celery, green apples, carrots, lemon, limes, and cucumber.

Right now I am six feet tall, and 225 pounds. I’d like to drop down to around 200 lbs, or less. I was 185 in high school. I will be eating some organic vegetable soups, salads, fruit, nuts, seeds, and juicing. Plus, I really like the raw whey, and vegan protein supplements I have, so I will be making mad smoothies with that goodness. I’ll be drinking hemp, almond, coconut, soy, and 7 grain milk too. I also love aloe water with the chunks, and coconut water.

I plan on training hard immediately. I’m going to be speed walking hills, playing basketball, mountain biking, doing yoga, weightlifting, and running. I will also be using my foam roller for massage and more. I plan on taking vitamins too, with gallons of natural spring water. Stay tuned. This is a live blog. It’s on. I can’t wait to feel, and look better. Good luck!

Day two: I was a liquidarian today. I didn’t chew anything. In the AM my diet consisted of cranberry/goji juice, 2 Odwalla Monster protein drinks, and coconut water. Later I had coffee, which I will be weening myself off of. It got the bowels moving. In the afternoon I made another green juice, with mostly cucumbers. Finally, I sipped kombucha. I consumed spring water throughout the day, and enjoyed hemp milk too. I felt lighter, and leaner today. It’s nice cutting out most of the dairy. I feel like dairy makes me bloated. I plan on pounding more liquids tomorrow, and maybe raw cashews, and salad. Life is good. I will weigh myself again in the morning.

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Day 3: I’m doing all liquids again today, minus a mushy banana. Maybe I will eat a fruity Larabar and seeds tomorrow for fiber. However, the juice I got at the health food store did have added fiber. Today I started with kombucha tea, and had a little espresso. I’ve guzzled various natural juices without high fructose corn syrup. And I picked up an aloe water, and organic apple cider vinegar. That’s it, besides more cold water. I feel fine. I have a little less energy today, because I don’t have food energy, or excessive amounts of caffeine in my system. When detoxing it’s important to get lots of rest and relaxation, in my opinion. Do what’s right for you.

OK, I used a fork tonight. Mom made veggie stir fry, and you don’t turn that down. She’s on her own cleanse now. Mom wrote a blog for Survival Bros on going gluten free, and food allergies. Coming soon!

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By Cameron McKirdy
It’s Superbowl Sunday. Go nuts. Forget all your worries, sit back with a cold one, and watch TV. Soak up all the bread and circuses. This is what people are passionate about. Men playing with their balls.

Watching 3 plus hours of sports has to have some benefit right? I’m trying really hard to figure out what though. It seems all this energy is wasted. Why watch people compete anyways? Is it entertaining? Maybe we want to know who the loser is. I think it’s the viewers.

I’ve boughten into sports hype before. It’s something to do. And if you go to a game, you feel cool because you are a part it. But isn’t it all just a giant, intentional distraction? What should we be focused on instead? Community? Country? Family? Spending time doing almost anything other than watching sports on TV seems wise.

The viewers are on the bottom of the sports pyramid scheme. You pay to watch. Then there’s the athletes and sports reporters. They get paid OK for acting out a role. At the top of the sports pyramid is the Owner. He constructed the team, and gets paid to stage the show. The few control the many.

All anyone is talking about on Facebook, and twitter is college, and pro football. And if it’s not that, then there’s another league to follow. There’s always something completely manufactured to buy into, and consume. I say there isn’t a point to sports. There’s a point to being healthy, and fit, but watching sports games all the time is stupid. And if you have a fantasy football team, you may be special.

America, World, the time has come to put down the remote, and stop rooting for your favorite team. Instead, work together on real issues. Sports are ALL hype. See it, and don’t buy in. You deserve better. Your brain needs real knowledge. You can’t learn a damn thing watching college football or any other sport, besides maybe mixed martial arts. That’s badass, and MMA training could save your life. Team sports are lame. I want to see who is the best individual athlete. That’s why boxing, golf, track, cycling, and even chess are more interesting to me.

In conclusion, sports are used against you, to distract you from real issues. We’ve turned into a Nation of bandwagon fanatics, drunk on cheap food and savage entertainment. Walk away. Save yourself from becoming a look-alike, cookie-cutter, die-hard supporter. It’s all manufactured entertainment. You can enrich your mind with more. Dream bigger.

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