Poor Man Survival
Self Reliance tools
for independent minded people…
ISSN 2161-5543
A Digest of Urban Survival Resources
A Good Machete is a Useful, Multi-Purpose Tool, A Good
Knife Basics, More
In a pinch I have used machetes to cut brush around our mini-farm
as I can never seem to find a weed-whacker that lasts very long! A very useful, proven tool the
world over it’s one which belongs in every prepper’s tool kit and you can learn
its finer points below:
1. Point Taken: The point can drill,
scrape, open cans and, of course, kill zombies. To skin big game, grip the
spine with one hand and use the tip to do the work.
2. Leading Edge: The top of the blade is the
machete’s sweet spot. Use it to bushwhack, dispatch game, clear shooting lanes
and—if you’re brave and have a steady hand—shave your beard.
3. Middle Relief: The middle third will chop
limbs, fell trees, head fish or game, and slice or dice meat. Grip the spine at
both ends and push or draw this part of the blade to shape tools, strip bark
for rope, or shave tinder or kindling.
4. Fine Touch: The bottom third is short,
solid, and easy to control. It’s perfect for precision cutting, making fire
sticks, whittling, and sharpening pencils or gigs.
5. Dull Moment: The bottom 2 inches are
blunt. This part will hammer, strike fire steel, and open beer bottles.
For precision work, move your grip up so your index finger and thumb are here.
This shortens the tool and puts your hand at its center, giving you more
control.
6. Back to Basics: The spine will scale fish,
crack nuts, drive nails, or break off dead limbs. You can also hit the spine with
a heavy stick to force the blade to split logs.
7. Flat Top: The flat side of the machete, toward the point, is a basic
but effective shovel. And it’ll flip a steak in a pinch."
Here's a summary of the
things you must know about Machetes and Machete use:
1. Cutting and maintaining trails
2. Clearing brush
3. Chopping compost
4. Carving & chopping wood
5. Clearing woody vegetation
6. Campsite management
7. Hunting/survival
8. Trim overhanging branches
9. Remove invasive plants
10. Ruthless Self Defense Weapon (if
necessary)
-End of Article. Credit: Field & Stream Magazine
On a related note:
A Well-Made Knife Consists of…
There is no tool as versatile, handy, and long lasting as a well-made knife. The only problem, however, is that telling a good knife from a bad one can be nearly impossible if you weren’t raised by a blacksmith. The biggest factor is the quality of the steel, and since steel is an alloy that’s made in about a zillion different ways, knowing what’s good and what’s not can be a dizzying experience. For this reason, we’ve put together a quick reference knife guide to some of the most common steels used in knives so that you can make a more informed decision next time you buy a blade.
Before we dive in, however, we’ll first go over the most common elements present in steel and the properties they give it.
·
Iron – The main ingredient in
steel
·
Carbon – This is one of the most
important elements in steel, as it functions as a hardening element and makes
the iron stronger. Every type of steel will have some amount of carbon, and
oftentimes the amount can be very telling of the quality of a blade. Low
carbon means there is 0.3% or less carbon in the alloy, medium carbon is
typically between 0.4-0.7 percent, and high is generally considered 0.8 percent
and above.
·
Chromium – This is the element that
makes stainless steel stainless. Technically all steel can rust, but types with
more chromium (usually around 12-13 percent) are much less prone to it
·
Cobalt – adds strength to the
blade
·
Manganese – hardens the blade, but
also makes it brittle if added in high quantities
·
Nickel – adds toughness to the
blade
·
Molybdenum – helps a steel maintain
strength at high temperatures
·
Tungsten – increases wear
resistance
·
Vanadium – increases wear
resistance and makes the blade harder.
Now that you know a bit about the different elements used in the production of steel, here’s a quick rundown of a few of the most common types you’re likely to encounter in knives. This definitely isn’t an exhaustive list, however, so if you ever come across a steel you’re unfamiliar with, don’t hesitate to do some research.
The 400 Series:
420 Steel – Common in lower-end knives, this steel has about .38% carbon. The low carbon content means that it’s very soft in comparison to most others, and it doesn’t hold an edge well. Blades made from this material need to be sharpened frequently, and are more likely to chip. On the bright side, however, all 420 stainless steel is extremely rust resistant. This makes it a great material for diving knives, since their constant contact with saltwater makes them more likely to rust.
425M Steel – This is a material similar to the 400 series that has .5% carbon. Not a great steel by any means, but it’s not a bad one either, and it’s reasonably tough for the price.
440 Steel – There are three different types of 440 steel: 440A, 440B, and 440C. The further along in the alphabet, the better it gets. The only problem is that oftentimes manufacturers simply stamp “440” on the tang of the blade without the letter grade, so knowing what you’re buying is tricky. As a rule of thumb, if it doesn’t explicity say 440C, it’s most likely a lower-end version like 440A or B. Certain knife manufacturers have even gone so far as to rename 440C as other things in order to differentiate the quality of the product.
440A Steel – Has a carbon content range of .65-.75%. This is a low cost stainless steel. It is the most rust resistant of 440 steel, and 440C is the least rust resistant of the three. However, taken as a whole, the 400 series is comprised of some of the most rust resistant steel you can buy.
440B Steel – Very similar to 440A, but has a higher carbon content range (.75-.95%), so it has better edge retention.
440C Steel – This steel has a carbon content range between .95-1.20%, and is generally considered a higher end steel. It’s extremely common in knives because it provides a good mixture of hardness and corrosion resistance, but also isn’t terribly expensive.
The AUS Series:
Made in Japan, the biggest improvement of the AUS series over the 400 Series is the addition of vanadium, which improves wear resistance and provides great toughness. It also reportedly makes the steel easier to sharpen.
AUS-6 Steel – Has .65% carbon, and is generally considered a low quality steel. It’s comparable to 420, but with better edge retention and less corrosion resistance.
AUS-8 Steel – This fairly popular steel has .75% carbon, which makes it fairly tough. It also has more vanadium than AUS-6, so it holds an edge better. Cold Steel likes to use this stuff a lot in its blades
AUS-10 Steel – Has 1.1% carbon, and is roughly comparable to 440C. It has more vanadium and less chromium than 440C, which makes it slightly tougher in comparison, but also a little less rust resistant.
The ATS Series:
ATS 34 Steel – This steel is very similar to 154 CM (listed below), and is generally considered one of the best steels you can buy. It has 1.05% carbon, and there are lots of high-end custom knives that use it because it’s just excellent metal. Benchmade and Spyderco seem to be fans of this steel, as you’ll see it a lot in their products.
ATS 55 Steel – This steel (carbon content of 1.00%) does not have the vanadium that is present in both ATS-34 and 154-CM (see below). This means that it doesn’t hold an quite edge as well, and has also been reported to be less rust resistant than ATS-34.
The SXXV Series:
This series is becoming quite popular because of its strength, ability to resist rust, and how well it holds an edge. These are difficult steels to sharpen though, if you do need to give them an edge. All of these knives are very wear resistant. The 30, 60, and 90 you’ll see in this series stand for 3%, 6%, and 9% vanadium in the alloy respectively.
S30V Steel – This steel was designed to be used for knives. This steel is very tough, and yet still has great wear resistance. For how tough the steel is, it actually has very good hardness also, which is why many consider it to be one of the best choices for knife making. It has a carbon content of 1.45%.
S60V Steel – This stainless steel has high wear resistance. It has lots of vanadium, and also has a carbon content of 2.15%. It’s just a step above S30V, but is relatively rare in knives because it’s more expensive.
S90V Steel – This steel has superior edge retention, but due to it’s ridiculous hardness, it can be almost impossible to sharpen. You’ll typically only find it in custom-made knives, and it has a carbon content of around 2.30%.
Others Noteworthy
Steels:
154 CM Steel – This is high quality steel – arguably one of the best available for knives. It has a carbon content of 1.05%. It holds an edge well and is hard steel. It actually has pretty good toughness for how hard the steel is as well. It is tougher than 440C, and is often compared to ATS 34 because the two are so similar. Some people prefer this steel to ATS 34, however, since this one is made by Crucible, an American company.
M390 Steel – Has 1.9% carbon, is very stain resistant, and has excellent wear resistance. It has vanadium as an additive, and consequently is a popular hard steel. This is also the type of steel used most often for surgical applications.
N680 Steel – Has .54% carbon. This is another very hard steel that is highly stain resistant, making it good for saltwater applications.
If you shoot someone, remember these four things.
1. When the police come. Stand still.
DO NOT HAVE YOUR GUN IN YOUR HAND or within your reach.
2. Give your name. And say "I was
in fear for my life. I want a Lawyer."
3. DO NOT! DO NOT! Talk with the police
without a lawyer with you. Not one word. Just give your name & say. "I
was in fear for my life. I want a lawyer." Keep in mind. The police come
after the fact. Someone has been shot, someone has to go to jail. They are
going to find a way to put you away. You are the shooter. The Public Prosecutor
will try to put you away, you are the shooter, and it will look good on his
record. Your lawyer will be the only ally you will have.
4. Just say "No Comment" to
the news media. All they are looking for is a story, the more they can color it
the better. Their job is to sell the "NEWS". Remember "NO
COMMENT".
What’s On Your Mind? Please
share & give us your feedback!
Yours for better living,
Bruce ‘the Poor Man’
Additional Resources
An extensive
survey of hundreds of adults across the United States has just revealed that
the thing most Americans fear—more than anything else—is their own government.
In fact, according to the survey, no other fear even comes close to the
percentage of Americans who worry about their corrupt government officials.
How to Survive the War on the Middle Class
14 of the best reports I’ve assembled on protecting your freedom…Here is the download link.
http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU
The Poor Man’s
Essential Survival Package
--The Doctors Protocol: Secrets of Survival
--How to Survive the Coming Economic Collapse
--Guide to Self Reliant Living
--Becoming Self Sufficient for Six Months
--How I Found Freedom in an Un-free World
http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU
Whether you’re unemployed or just need a bit of extra cash,
finding odd jobs online is a great place to start. These 11 websites can be
good places to find odd jobs that make good money.
Choosing health insurance can be a nightmare if you don’t know
what you’re doing. Learn the best way to find health insurance in this
step-by-step guide.
Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays & free reports that I provide annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone. You can make a donation at top of this page via PayPal.
Find survival related books here!
Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…
A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production
