Gear Review: Hot Hands

Hot Hands
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Hot hands are a reusable heat pack that can be used multiple times.

There is a metal disk inside the pack than when clicked activates an exothermic chemical reaction as the solution inside the package crystallizes and released heat.

After the crystals cool down they can be reactivated by hot water.

Most manufacturers recommend a crock pot, but I have also used a pot of boiling water.  I have had success with, but cannot recommend, dropping the hot hand into a cup of water and after completely immersing it, putting it in the microwave.

I like this type of product much more than the iron oxide cloth heat packs that are commonly used.  Those style are a single use only and the heat released is intense enough to burn you.

The reusable hot hands get hot, but it is not as intense, so it is much safer.

Besides, you can keep them around and use many times.  I have had mine for over 3 years and have not had a single problem.

Now, the pack I got did not have detailed instructions so it took me a while to get the hand of the process.

The main thing to remember is heat it completely to melt not allowing ANY crystals to remain, and to let it cool completely before you try to activate.

How to Build Practical Firearm Suppressors

Book Review: How to Build Practical Firearm Suppressors
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How to Build Practical Firearm Suppressors is a very small book that covers the very basics of how to construct a suppressor.  It does a fairly good job at it, but if you already know the basics, then everything in this book is just common sense.

Of course, If you live in the United States, and have not paid your $200 tax stamp and have a completed ATF form 1 giving you permission to engage in this activity then you will face serious police consequences if you construct anything in this book.

However, if you are willing to fill out the proper paperwork and remit the fee that Caesar demands then this book will show you how to build a firearm suppressor.

Now, if you consider the suppressor to be practical or not depends on what you think is practical.

If by practical you mean low cost and some level of decibel reduction then it will show practical suppressors.  If you mean high quality construction that rivals the commercial brands – then the designs within this book are not practical.

But all things considered, suppressors have been around for a LONG time, and anyone with a lathe has the ability to construct a high quality firearm suppressor for little cost.

The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving

Book Review: The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving
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In step-by-step, illustrated detail, John Hoffman shows you the The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving.

If you want to learn how to use dumpster diving for food, clothing, appliances, furniture, books and other treasures then you should read this book

Discover how to dress for dumpster diving success, work your neighborhood dumpsters, dive a restaurant, use a “bag blade” and “dive stick”, handle run-ins with the authorities, convert your trash to cash, and much more!

While you are learning all these professional secrets, you will be entertained by outrageous anecdotes from a life-long master diver.

Frankly, while there is some interesting and possibly useful ideas presented in this book, I am skeptical of its use for preppers.

To me, most of the content of The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving is common sense or easily learned tradecraft.

I guess some people need to be told that id you want cheap bread you can look in the dumpster of a bakery or day old bread store – and those people may need to be told to only get the bread that is sealed in bags.

There are practical statements on close to wear, what kind of car to drive, and how to deal with police and dumpster owners, but as I said before, most seems to be common sense.

The Art of Mail Armor

Picture yourself in a full set of shining mail armor at your next reenactment, fair or costume party. And the best part is that you can say you made it yourself.

The Art of Mail Armor shows you how to start with a piece of wire and end with a finished garment that costs a fraction of what it would ready-made and fits perfectly because it was custom made just for you.

The book features seven original patterns from the author and step-by-step diagrams and instructions for attractive coifs (head coverings), hauberks (shirts), gauntlets, (gloves) and bishop’s collars, as well as juggling balls, necklaces, belts, crosses and other jewelry.

Find out how easy it is to assemble your tool kit and materials; acquire the best wire for specific items; measure for a perfect fit; join, enlarge, round, angle and fit sleeves; and incorporate decorative trimmings and inlays to make your designs truly unique.

Also learn some quick and easy tricks for keeping your pieces clean and shiny – with no scrubbing or expensive commercial cleaners. Whether you are a Renaissance or medieval enthusiast, reenactor, historian, martial artist, jewelry designer or just someone with an interest in armor, you’ll want to add this book to your library. Even experienced mail makers will find new ideas and techniques.

The Blacksmith’s Craft

The Blacksmith’s Craft contains everything you need to know to make and repair your own metal tools, household items, hardware, or farm equipment.

It is full of simple and clear instructions, supplemented by step-by-step photography, and shows how to build a forge, make or acquire tools, and use those tools to create items of lasting beauty and durability.

In my opinion the ability to shape metal is what caused Humans to grow into societies and develop technology.  Blacksmiths have, for centuries, been the cornerstone of society.

While blacksmiths is no longer an essential function in a modern town, someone with the metal working skill to make and repair metal objects is still vital to the operation of industry in said town.

I find The Blacksmith’s Craft to be one of the better beginning blacksmith books, and I have learned a lot from it.  Between it and The Complete Modern Blacksmith, most beginner smiths can have a good start

While I think Weyger’s Complete Modern Blacksmith is more useful as a single book (which is unfair as it is actually three books combined) – I did get a lot of useful information from the Blacksmith’s Craft.

As a prepper, I think having books on essential skills is vital.  You won’t have the internet after a collapse.  As a guy though, I  think blacksmithing is awesome.  I suck at it, but I do love beating on hot metal and bending it to my will.