Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. - Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. - Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. - George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
What’s good? Its been a Heaven of a year! Survival Bros has beefed up the website with frequent posts, vivid photos, and new HD video productions. Visit the ARCHIVES for all of the fun, and emergency preparedness news.
Here’s my favorite YouTube videos from 2014, in case you missed the action and adventure:
My #EDC backpack gear for #Survival
Steel Target Shooting Demonstration with Tactical Gypsy
Cameron McKirdy’s LifeProof smartphone case review as seen on The ABC World News with Diane Sawyer
How to get FREE stuff in life
Video of my #vandwelling setup on the Oregon Coast
Checking out William Henry knives at a jewelry store
The perfect vehicle for The Zombie Apocalypse
Exploring World War II bunkers on Tillamook Head near Seaside, OR
Doing yoga with certified instructor Sarah Whisler at the beach
You can’t define Survival Bros, or Cameron McKirdy. There’s no way of knowing what will come in the year 2015. Stay tuned. Thank you for your support of this project. I’ve produced all this for free. Please continue to like, comment, share, and subscribe to us. Let’s make the Survival Bros community even greater in the days to come.
Mocha The Puggle and I love you! (Hiking Saddle Mountain)
Produced by Cameron McKirdy – Survival Bros Founder
As you can see, nobody beats up gear like me. I took the new Kershaw Secret Agent knife to the beach, and put it through a rigorous torture test. I sliced, and stabbed ocean debris washed ashore in Long Beach, Washington.
Flashing the tool with the protective sheath on!
Model Number 4007, the Secret Agent isn’t flashy. It’s functional. The spear point blade has a black-oxide coating for protection against corrosion. Additionally, the surface is non-reflective. So it won’t catch light, or be easy to see. Both sides come sharpened, making it easy to puncture nearly any material. The Secret Agent handled rope, plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, and even a dead jellyfish! After the beating, it was still sharp, and the tip showed little wear. Of course, knives don’t like sand, so I plan to sharpen it for the first time, or I can send it back to the KAI warehouse to get it cleaned up for free. I’ve stopped by Kershaw headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon (South of Portland) before for a hassle free repair, which took less than an hour.
This knife is a favorite in my collection because it’s lightweight at only 3 ounces. The ergonomic handle is glass-filled nylon. It’s well balanced. Fitting securely in my palm, without being too wide. Plus, with a rubberized, textured grip, it’s not going to slip out of my hand. You can wear it on a lanyard, or strapped to your leg. Blade length is perfect, and no joke at 4.4 inches long. The black sheath is quality, with a wide, tight clip. At under $40, the Kershaw Secret Agent knife may be the best value in the industry. Don’t forget Kershaw Knives’ products are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. Bottom line: The Secret Agent belongs in your Every Day Carry knife rotation. It’s Survival Bros tested and approved. For more HD videos, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Thank you.
See what car living is like for a gypsy travelling on the road in HD video. I think he has a great gear setup for van dwelling. I’m jealous of his sink, with a clever gravity fed water system, harnessing an inexpensive solar shower. Plus, his lighting setup works, and didn’t cost much, thanks to a trip to Dollar Tree. You can’t tell Hugh is in there either, since it’s a cargo van without side rear windows. The dark exterior paint color blend into the darkness, making him more stealth. I like what he has done to insulate the metal sides with cardboard and aluminum tape. Hugh knows the cardboard is organic material, and will eventually decompose, but it’s easy to replace with fresh insulation later. Even the interior wall panels are stuffed with recycled shopping bags for added warmth. We list all of the car camping items for you to spark your imagination, but is there anything you’d add to the recreational vehicle? More van dwelling videos on the way. Stay tuned to Survival Bros.
Survival Bros smashes the screen of a cellphone with a new COAST Products F611 Tactical Field blade. It was total destruction! The carbide tip can also muscle through regular glass, Plexiglas, and plastic. It’s a sturdy knife, and I usually have it handy at the bottom of my backpack, just in case. The F611 is a solid tool for camping, because it can help you process wood for a fire, or even when creating an emergency shelter. You’ll like working with it, and it’s guaranteed by COAST.
Please SUBSCRIBE on YouTube, like, comment, and share if you want more HD videos. Visit the COAST Products for more gear, and information. Here’s the link to my other blog on Art, and video production. http://www.cameronmckirdy.com
Tech Specs:
Cost $43.99 Retail
7Cr17 stainless steel blade
6.0 in. blade
11.0 in. overall
10.8 oz.
Tactical elastomer handle on stainless steel frame
Are you a natural scavenger like me? I often dream about prepping for disasters by roaming the streets, searching for anything I can use; pens, paperclips, tape, food, water, First Aid supplies. It’s crazy how much people in America through away. Lots of items in the trash are still good, another man’s treasure.
I made a pit stop at Goodwin Park at 1172 Necanicum, on the corner of 12th in Seaside, Oregon. When I got out of my Volkswagen Vanagon, I noticed I had rolled over eight AAA, and AA batteries. So I did the natural thing, and busted out my HD camera for a vlog rant. Turns out these energy sources were still full of life. They must have fallen out of someone’s vehicle or bag. I swooped them up, and put them in my EDC backpack for storage. I have many flashlights, and headlamps that could use these batteries later.
What have you scavenged around town or in the woods? It’s always fun to find stuff you can use, especially money. But don’t get too attached to anything, because you could lose it also. Like the time when I recently found $20 on the ground, put it in my pocket, only to realized it fell out of my jacket before I could blow it!
Car camping is one of my favorite blog topics. I hope you find it interesting too. Here’s a checklist of my top foods to store in your vehicle. Many items instantly turn into grub by adding hot water. I got ideas for the perfect van dwelling foods by watching YouTube videos of Thru Hikers packing for their long distance trips. Search for Pacific Crest Trail aka PCT, or Appalachian Trail Backpackers online.
Ziplock bags are a trusted way to keep organized. You can even write on the outside with a permanent pen to label things. Plus, plastic sacks maintain some protection from water, rats, an other elements. Let me know if you have any questions about my setup. Add several gallons of distilled and spring water (not pictured), and I’m ready to go off the grid for weeks. I’m stocked up on:
Honey with ginseng, bee pollen, and royal jelly
Drinks: water, aloe water, coconut beverages, teas, fruit juices
Soups in cans to heat and serve, and powdered packets
Protein Powder, plus various green powders (wheat grass)
Pasta Sides, and Dishes like Top Ramen
Dehydrated Food such as Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals (Apple Crisp is my favorite)
Fruit: Fresh Produce like apples and bananas, also fruit strips, bottles, and cans
Nuts and Seeds like Almond and Hemp
Granola Bars, and Oatmeal
Instant Coffee, instant milk
Condiments: Packets of butter, salsa, pepper, salt, raw sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, and everything else Free and Holy
Canned meats: Flavored tuna, Spam, Chicken Salad with crackers
Mitsubishi Fuso FG 140 4×4 truck spotted in Seaside, Oregon! This emergency preparedness rig has an ideal setup for extreme mobile living, and protection from undead zombies among us. Would you car camp in this monster? It looks comfortable, and well designed. It may be bigger than I’d want for bugging out, and I don’t know about the color, but it’s an excellent truck platform to work from. The Fuso just needs a snorkel if it’s going to spend the winter on the Oregon Coast. I didn’t see a camera system installed either for extra security.
This beast looks like a completely custom job, made to be multi-purpose. There’s few places it couldn’t go on Earth. I’d love to hear what you have to say about this setup in the comment section, or on our YouTube channel. I’m sure this vehicle will be on the road for a long time, baring an unforeseen marauders, or natural disasters, etc. Please SUBSCRIBE to Survival Bros by entering your email on the top left side of the screen! Stay tuned for more emergency preparedness news, because you can’t know what’s around the corner.
Additional HD videos and blog posts can be found on http://www.cameronmckirdy.com Thanks for your support.
A Zombie Aapocalypse Edition 4×4 truck parked in Seaside, Oregon
An hour East of Eugene, the McKenzie River Recreational Trail waits to be conquered. A 26 mile path skirts the cold, rippling waterway. It’s one of America’s premier destinations for bikers, and hikers. Outdoor enthusiasts can also be spotted during the summer on the water in rafts of all shapes and sizes. Survival Bros floated it. However, here’s what’s its like to attack the upper part of the wilderness trail on my bicycle.
The 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon is locked. Bike is ready. God bless my vintage Univega Alpina Pro mountain bike. It’s a hardtail with tire liners for extra protection, so I shouldn’t have trouble pummeling porous lava rocks. This will be my first ride with it off of pavement, or graveled logging roads. Exciting. Water, check. Mechanix gloves, yes. 3M safety shades, on. Let’s crush this.
And I’m off. Going downhill mostly, to Clearwater Lake from the top of the trail. I will have to fill my stainless steel water bottle at the campground. Problem is, it’s hard to know what’s undrinkable, and what’s potable with all the well pumps around. I may have to take a chance, because I’m not buying water. I’m looking forward to adding 2 packets of Airborne Plus Energy into my drink for flavor, vitamins, and minerals.
The plan is to tackle the challenging section of course around the lake first, then take an easy trail back uphill to my vehicle. OK, get centered. Where are you? In the moment. Faster!!!
Root! Pop the front wheel over, and peddle. Good. Lean into this corner. Branch…We’re bushwacking today. Alright, NOW break. Shift weight back, coming off the seat. Who put this tree down here? Ever heard of a chainsaw? Pick up your bike. Thankfully, it’s lightweight, full chromoly frame. I’m so happy I invested in tuning this vintage ride up. The guys at Canyonview Cyclery took care of me. This is the video I produced at their shop after the Univega was restored to glory.
There’s the edge of the water at Clear Lake. I’ve never seen water so pristine. I bet I could drink straight from the lake. Ducks do it. I almost hit one fowl in my way. Move mallard. Already, I’ve narrowly avoided about 10 chipmunks, and a large rabbit too. I’ve seen squirrels try to take on bikes before. They ended up in the spokes without a head. That would ruin my day. I need a bell on this bike of mine to signal wildlife.
Now comes the hard part. Negotiating lava rock fields on two wheels. But I’ve been here before. Only I came from the opposite direction last time. I’m going to have to push it up this long hill. It feels great to get off my butt, and work other muscle groups. I like my new bicycle handle bar ends. Now I have more hand positions, and can really pull myself up steep inclines.
I’m flying. Let’s not forget our 5 D’s of mountain biking: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge! Corner! Hard left. Leaning into it, and looking where I want to go. Holy guacamole. I almost sailed into the lake. The canoers would have liked to see that. I’d rather not be fishing. This is what I came to do.
Bump. My nuts. Watch the nuts. You’re going to need those. Oh God, I have to split between a root, and a rock going fast. No room for error. Arrghhh. Made it. But that took all of my upper body strength. I haven’t screamed that loud since…oh, let’s keep it PG. I’m dumping sweat. This is my hell workout. Put it all on the line. Gasp. Exhale. Breath. Sigh. Focused. A few more miles of rocky road, and then a less technical section to savor. The McKenzie River Recreational Trail is damn tough. No wonder it’s one of the World’s most celebrated biking areas. I can do this. Finish strong. I’m the man. BEAST MODE!
Survival Bros hunts for urban treasure at local thrift stores around town in Eugene, Oregon. Cameron McKirdy must have been to eight shops that day. All of the searching paid off, wouldn’t you say? Thanks for watching another HD video production. Please subscribe today via email! Happy hunting Survival Bros. More on http://www.cameronmckirdy.com
Survival Bros brings you another great product review in HD video. The ElliptiGO 11R is excellent for climbing mountains, and can go where any road bike can travel. I was lucky enough to catch a professional competitor at the RV park to review the outdoor racing elliptical cycle. Special thanks to the veteran that made time to share his experience with us all. I’d love to hear what you have to say on this product. Please comment if you own and ElliptiGO, or why you want one. At $3,500 for the racing model, I don’t know that I’ll be getting an elliptical cycle, but one can dream. Personally, I think this would be an excellent full body workout, and perfect for rehabilitation from an injury. It’s comfortable, smooth, but kind of heavy at 39 pounds. I will have to schedule a test ride at a dealer near me soon. Watch out Portland!
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 