Atlas Pasta Machine With Motor - Any Benefits? Article Review

I  just read a good article on the Atlas Marcato Pasta machine with motor ( you can read it here Atlas Pasta machine) The article describes the benefits of the Atlas pasta machine with Motor over the original hand crank version. It says that the motored version is much easier to use for one person because the you can use two hands to feed the machine and to catch the cut pasta. 

I have a handcrank atlas pasta machine that I love but I am sure that the version with the motor is just as good or slightly easier to use.

Bravo!

The Best Survival Knife For Everyday Use

There is a long list of survival knives that fit into the Best Survival Knife category all dependent on the intended use. They range from large heavy blades like the Ontario RTAK II measuring in at 16.5 inches and weighing a solid 2.2lbs to the ultra versatile Ka-Bar Becker BK2 at just 10" overall and weighing less than a pound. Needless to say it is tough to narrow down the absolute best survival knife because your intended use has a lot to do with the blade that you choose.

However for everyday practicality in our normal lives I would have to say that the Gerber LMF II ASEK tops the list for all around best survival knife. The features on this blade are not only excellent for the camper, hunter and woodsman, they also lend themselves to everyday use.

The Gerber LMF ASEK II was designed to be used by downed fighter pilots. The 4.84 inch, 12c27 stainless steel, partially serrated blade was made in part to cut through tangled fuselage in the event of a crash scenario. The butt of the knife is an excellent pummel and can be used to break anything from a car window to tough shellfish. Not to mention that in a defensive scenario it is definitely another business end to the knife.

I have one of these knives strapped to the driver-side top roll bar of my jeep. Not because I am afraid of getting car jacked, but because of the usefulness of the pummel for breaking glass should I become trapped in my car, and the strap cutter that can cut through a seat belt like a hot knife through butter. The Gerber LMF ASEK II is my "go to blade" and the best survival knife in my kit because it is useful in so many situations.

Stats at a glance:

Overall Length: 10.59"

Blade Length: 4.84"

Weight: 11.39 oz.

Price: $65 - $95

The sheath of the LMF II is another huge selling point. The blade snaps into place in the kydex portion of the sheath and fits very firmly. The blade does not rattle at all, unlike other kydex sheaths that I have owned. The two straps that hold the handle in place are nylon and have a snap closure. It is so nice to have a snap instead of velcro.

The sheath also has a knife sharpener and has a number of carry options including on a MOLE vest, from your belt, and/or affixed to your leg. Over all this is the best survival knife that I have in my kit and if you are looking for a fantastic all around knife this is it!

For more information on the Gerber LMF ASEK II, and my other top 7 survival knives check out my website which is loaded with pictures, reviews, videos and the best pricing options for the top survivalist approved knives. Here it is Best Survival Knife

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Slovenec

Ultralight Backpacking Tents Big Agnes Gore Pass 2

The Big Agnes Gore Pass 2 just barely squeaks in my list for ultralight backpacking tents and it is not because its lack of room or features. This tent was judged as a "killer value" by Outside Magazine and it truly is a fantastic value for those that are seeking an ultra sturdy 2 person with a lot of room. Weighing in at 5lbs this is not the lightest of ultralight backpacking tents, however is a great option for those who are over 6 feet tall and need that extra headroom and length.

Specs at a glance:

 

• Weight: 5lbs
• Dimensions: 90L X 52W x40H
• Capacity: 2 people
• Seasons: 3
• Price: $240 - $260
• Doors: 1

One of the great things about the Big Agnes Gore Pass 2 is the dimension to weight ratio. It has over 32 sq feet of floor space that is coupled with its 40 inch canopy. The near vertical walls make most of the canopy 40 inches tall and not just at the peak of the tent like a lot of ultralight backpacking tents, not to mention that the design sheds the elements very effectively as well.

 

The huge 15sq foot vestibule has dual zippers that allow the front part of the vestibule to be taken off completely on sunny days, the bottom edges can be staked on trekking poles to make a covered porch of sorts, and it can be full closed when mother nature dishes out her worst.

Big Agnes makes and impressive line of tents and gear including the Big Agnes Gore Pass 2. This one of my favorite ultralight backpacking tents, especially if I am taking my girlfriend along. The extra room makes it a little easier for both of us and makes the accommodations a little more tolerable for her. I don't mind carrying the little extra weight if it means being ultra comfortable on the trails.

To check out how this tent stacks up against my other top choices and to find pictures and the best pricing options visit: Ultralight Backpacking Tents

Ultralight Backpacking Tents - Marmot Aura

Ultralight backpacking tents are designed to shed some of those all important pack lbs however still maintain the room and durability that is required on the trails. Many of the early ultralight backpacking tents had some serious issues with lightweight materials because they were delicate and had poor resistance against the elements. Luckily today the materials are a lot better and the structure is much more resilient against mother nature's worst.

The Marmot Aura is one of my favorite tents that I have in my collection. This tent topped Outside Magazine's gear of the year award in 2008 and in my opinion is yet to be ousted.

Stats at a Glance:

Weight: 4.4 lbs

Dimensions: 88'L x 50'W x 40'H

Capacity: 2 people

Seasons: 3

Price: $240 - $250

Doors: 2

Here are two of the top reasons that I think the Marmot Aura is one of the best ultralight backpacking tents on the market.

Size:

The Marmot aura is the biggest tent that I have found for its weight, it has a full 30 sq feet of interior space and two vestibules, one at each door, that are an additional 9 sq feet a piece. The pole construction make the walls nearly vertical so that you have a ton of usable space and headroom. The two doors are a huge plus especially when you are camping with another person.

Protection from the elements:

I have been lucky enough not to get caught in the snow with this tent but have read countless reviews of people who have. They say that the Marmot Aura held up beautifully with the weight of the snow even though they had to push the snow off from the inside. They also reported that the catenary cut floor with the raised taped seams kept the base of the tent bone dry. I have unwittingly tested the waterproof floors on a kayaking camping trip on the Edisto river. The whole trip was rain on and off, it subsided enough to set my tent up and have some dinner and drinks around the fire. During the night we basically experienced Armageddon which pounded us with 30 mile an hour winds and torrential thunderstorms. The next morning I woke up in about a 3 inch puddle. I could literally see the water line from inside my tent. I was dry as a bone the entire night and morning. I was not expecting to stay dry but was very pleasantly surprised, the Marmot Aura took the elements a lot better than some of my buddies Ultralight backpacking tents.

The Marmot Aura is really hard to top when it comes to ultralight backpacking tents, the only con that I can think of is that it takes a few times of setting it up to master, but once you get the hang of it you can pitch it in a few minutes.

To check out how this tent stacks up against my other top choices for ultralight backpacking tents and to find pictures and the best pricing options visit: Ultralight backpacking Tents

Ultralight Backpacking Tents - Sierra Vapor Light 2

Ultralight backpacking tents are a must for anyone that is serious about hiking and cutting down the weight in your pack. Fortunately there are a lot of quality options on the market  an a tent is a pretty fun thing to shop for.

Specs at a glance:

Weight: 3.4lbs
Dimensions: 83L x 43W x 38H
Seasons: 3
Capacity: 2 people
Price: $235 - $250

The Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 person tent is recommended by Outside Magazine as one of their top gear choices, and for good reason. The Vapor Light 2 has an excellent size to weight ratio, at 3.4lbs it offers large 83L x 49W x 38H dimensions. Although this is not the best choice for people that are over 6 feet tall it accommodates just about anyone else, with gear and some room to spare. This is one of my top choices as Ultralight Backpacking Tents go. It will sleep two people and gear comfortably while standing up to some pretty serious 3 season storms.

This Sierra Designs tent is a double walled tent with a full mess upper that is great for looking at the stars on a clear night and keeping out condensation on the cold ones. The floor is combines the benefits of a catenary and bathtub style floor, it has raised PVC free side seams to help keep water out regardless of the situation.

Many Ultralight backpacking tents have the reputation of being delicate, having weatherproofing issues and/ or being a pain to set up. The nice thing about the Vapor Light is that it is none of those things. The tent offers Sierra Designs spider hub technology to keep all of the poles locked in place and also has jakes feet at the tent corners to make it really easy to attach the poles and the foot print.

The rainfly has a front facing vestibule that is large enough to store a pretty good amount of gear in while keeping the D shaped mesh door protected from the elements.

For more information on the Vapor Light 2 and other industry topping lightweight tents for backpacking visit: Ultralight Backpacking Tents

The Atlas Pasta Machine 5 Piece Set

The Atlas Pasta Machine 5 piece set is a great value for any chef that wants to make homemade organic pasta without the hassle of buying a bunch of separate pieces. The set includes the Atlas Pasta Machine Wellness 150, three attachments, and a pasta cutter.

The Atlas Pasta Machine Wellness 150

I  recently had one of these machines passed down to me by my mother and I  absolutley love it. My pasta is not nearly as good as Mom’s but, with her help it is getting close. These machines last a long time if they are taken care of. The Atlas Pasta Machine that I  have now is the same one my mother used when we were kids.

The Wellness 150 pasta maker is the original hand crank Atlas Pasta Machine. It is made by the Marcato family in Italy, it is simple to use and last for a lifetime. It has 9 roller settings to adjust the thickness of your dough, you simply turn the dial and you are at the next setting. The Atlas Pasta Machine Wellness 150 also comes with a table clamp that will open to fit a counter top up to 2.25 inches wide.

The Attachments

The Atlas Pasta Machine 5 piece set comes with over $120 worth of attachments. The Attachments that come with this set include the Atlas Ravioli attachment, the Marcato spaghetti attachment and the Atlas Lasagna Attachment. All of these add-ons are made in Italy with the same quality as the pasta maker itself.  All you need is a pasta drying rack and your set is complete!

If you are interested in more Atlas pasta machine information and want to find the best pricing, pictures and great recipes take a look at this link : Atlas Pasta Machine

Atlas Pasta Machine - Do They Last?

My first experience with an Atlas Pasta Machine was when I was  a young boy and my mother would make pasta for just about every holiday imaginable. I mostly remember eating the dough and helping my mother crank the pasta roller to flatten the pasta. 25 years later and my mother still makes homemade pasta, mostly cavatelli and spaghetti, but has upgraded to an Atlas Pasta Machine with a motor. I am happy to say that I am the proud owner of my Mom’s original Atlas Pasta Machine and it still works like a charm. My pasta does not come out quite like my mothers does but that has a lot more to do with the operator and not the machine!

So will an Atlas Pasta Machine Last?  Yes, if you take care of one of these pasta makers they will last you a lifetime.

All Atlas Pasta Machines are made in Italy and are built to last. The hand crank pasta maker has 9 roller settings that click to adjust the thickness of your dough. It has a removable crank that is used for the roller and the same crank is used on the pasta cutting heads.

The Atlas Pasta Machine comes with a table clamp  that will open to fit a counter that is up to 2.25 inches thick. I usually will put a thin piece of plywood under the bottom clamp to keep from scratching the bottom of my counter. I find that the added piece of wood makes it that much more stable on the counter top.  

The cleanup on the atlas pasta machine is easy once you get the hang of making your dough the right consistency. The first time that I made pasta in this machine my dough was a little to sticky and it was a difficult cleanup, however since then it has been easy. You really only have to dust of the machine from the flour and wipe the crumbs away. Pretty easy!

For more information on Atlas Pasta Machines, recipes, and review videos click here: Atlas Pasta Machine.

Best Survival Knife Options - Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Review

I just read a really good article on the Becker BK 9. I have both large survival knives and smaller more compact fixed blades as well. Large survival knives are always the best survival knife for chopping and battoning wood but sometimes they are impractical to carry. Here is an exerpt from a great article.

Why Choose a Large Survival Knife?

Some people like carrying a large survival knife and some people don't. It is purely personal preference. I for one would rather be stuck in the wilderness with a large survival knife and have to carry the extra weight of it, than have a knife that is easy to carry however cannot handle the heavy-duty cutting chores like the BK9 can.

This knife is phenomenal for large chopping and cutting chores. The 1060 Carbon Steel blade keeps a strong edge and is easy to sharpen. When I carry this knife with me camping I never have to bring a hatchet with me because the BK9 does equally as good or better than any field hatchet that I have split with. Having a large knife like this actually allows you to carry less gear and therefore less weight.

The Ka-Bar Becker BK9 is super impressive and you will see this in the arsenal of the most experienced outdoor survivalist.

Full article: The Best Survival Knife

 

 

The Best Survival Knife For the Money - Ontario RTAK II (Article Review)

I just read a great review on the Ontario RTAK II Survival Knife. The Article explains why it is the best survival knife for your money and has some pretty valid points. The Ontario RTAK is in the category of large survival knives and that is for good reason, it is 16.5" overall and weights 2.2 lbs. I  have always been a fan of large survival knives simply because they are a lot more useful for a lot of the heavy duty tasks that it takes to survive in the wild. Here is an excerpt: 

The Ontario RTAK II tops my list as the best all around survival knife for your money. This is a serious knife for a serious survivalist. The Ontario RTAK II is designed to be a work horse for just about any outdoor survival chore.

Here are the stats:

Overall Length: 16.5" Blade Length: 10.25" Weight: 2.2 lbs Price: $120 - $130

 

Yes, this is a large and heavy knife and many people would say that it is a lot of weight to carry when you are backpacking or exploring. This is a true statement it is a big and bulky blade however it is exactly the type of knife that you will wish you had as soon as you arrive at your destination. The reason that I rate this knife the " Best Survival Knife For the Money" is because it eliminates the need to carry a hatchet and a knife, it does the job of both. I often carry both a hatchet and a knife with me when I go camping and the combination of those two items weigh far more than this blade does.

 

Chopping and Batoning Wood

 

The Ontario RTAK II is one of the best survival knives that I have used when it comes to batoning and chopping wood for fires or shelters. Batoning or splitting wood is a survival must to conserve energy while prepping fire wood this blade makes short work of these chores it really does split wood as good or better than any field hatchet that I have used. I have a review page with videos that show this in full effect. Once you see how this knife handles you will be hooked.

Continue to the full article: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Best-Survival-Knife-For-the-Money---Ontario-RTAK-II&id=5260078

The Best Survival Knife - Becker BK 2 Campanion

The Ka-Bar BK2 Becker Campanion makes my list as the best survival knife on the market because of its overall usefulness and indestructibility. The Ka-Bar Becker series knives are one of the most positively reviewed knives on the web. There are critics everywhere especially when it comes to choosing the best survival knife however you will be hard pressed to find any bad reviews on this blade.

Here are the stats:

Overall Length: 10.5"
Blade Length: 5.25"
Weight: 13 oz
Price: $55 - $60

The Becker BK2 is the best survival knife for someone that wants to carry a light weight blade that has a ton of usability. The full tang, 1/4 inch thick, 5.25” blade is made of 1095 cro van steel and is the right size for small battoning and chopping chores yet is easy to carry and light weight. The full flat grind of the blade allows it to baton like a champ even though that it is a bit inhibited by the blade size. You wont be battoning huge logs with this knife but it will easily split kindling and medium size logs. The Becker BK2 also excels at dressing game and any other campsite chores.

The handle is made of glass filled nylon or otherwise called Grivory, it has a steel pummel on the butt of the knife for any pounding or hammering applications. It has a single lanyard hole at the base which a para cord lanyard or other type of lanyard can be attached.

The knife has a surprising hefty and is thick, when you put this sucker in your hand you know that you are holding a knife that is meant to be used as a hardworking tool. The durability of this knife is incredible hence the “best survival Knife” title. It will chop all day long and still keep a great edge to make a feather stick or skin game.

I have put together a large comprehensive review of my top choices for Best Survival Knife on the market. You will find in depth reviews, photo galleries and review videos on 7 of the best survival knives. Click one of the provided links.

The Best Survival Knife For the Money - Ontario RTAK II

See and download the full gallery on posterous

The Ontario RTAK II tops my list as the best all around survival knife for your money. This is a serious knife for a serious survivalist. The Ontario RTAK II is designed to be a work horse for just about any outdoor survival chore.

Here are the stats:

Overall Length: 16.5"
Blade Length: 10.25"
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Price: $120 - $130

Yes, this is a large and heavy knife and many people would say that it is a lot of weight to carry when you are backpacking or exploring. This is a true statement it is a big and bulky blade however it is exactly the type of knife that you will wish you had as soon as you arrive at your destination. The reason that I rate this knife the “ Best Survival Knife For the Money” is because it eliminates the need to carry a hatchet and a knife, it does the job of both. I often carry both a hatchet and a knife with me when I go camping and the combination of those two items weigh far more than this blade does.

Chopping and Batoning Wood

The Ontario RTAK II is one of the best best survival knives that I have used when it comes to batoning and chopping wood for fires or shelters. Batoning or splitting wood is a survival must to conserve energy while prepping fire wood this blade makes short work of these chores it really does split wood as good or better than any field hatchet that I have used. I have a review page with videos that show this in full effect. Once you see how this knife handles you will be hooked.

Keeping an Edge

The edge keeping capabilities on this knife are phenomenal, I have said that with other knives but this one really does a good job with keeping a sharp workable blade even after heavy chopping and cutting chores. The 1095 steel combined with a full flat ground blade make it ideal for keeping an edge and easy to sharpen once the knife looses some of its cutting power.

All in all this is my top choice for best survival knife, priced a about 120 it is well worth it for the capabilities of this blade. It will out preform knives that are two and tree times its price.

I have put together a large comprehensive review of my top choices for Best Survival Knife on the market You will find in depth reviews, photo galleries and review videos on 7 of the best survival knives. Click one of the provided links.

Best Survival Knife Options For The Survivalist

 

Making the decision on what is the best survival knife will be a matter of opinion for most. Color, grip, and size may all be taken into account, as well as weight and durability. One may want to make sure that the knife chosen is the one that will best be used to perform the task that they were originally designed for when in survival mode. 

As one searches for the one that best suits, there are several options available. This will ultimately depend on the activity you will be using the knife for. The term survival is linked to this type of knife for a reason, which is to aid you while outdoors, when in a situation that calls for it. It is highly recommended that you conduct extensive research and consult with experts before making a final decision. 

One knife to take note of is the CRKT Razel SS7. This knife has a wide range of applications for mechanics, farmers, carpenters and hunters due to its high quality craftsmanship. With its cross between a razor and a chisel, this knife offers two razor sharp edges used for tapping, pushing as well as defined cutting. 

Another well-known knife is the Gerber LMF ll Asek. This quality knife was tested in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past few years and is vastly suggested by members of military. In survival mode, this knifes capabilities are implemented in the use of woodcutting, spearing dinner, slicing through Plexiglas, and fuselage of an aircraft. 

Several deciding factors in finding the best survival knife include, but are not limited to, the intended use, seasonal or camping, weight, value, grip, and style. The examples listed above are just a couple of the many notable knives worth looking into. It is essential to take the time to become familiar with the knife you have chosen for it’s recreational purposes and security measures applied.

For a more in depth review of some of the above mentioned knives and many more, visit Best Survival Knife Options.

Atlas Pasta Maker -Start Making Pasta From Home

Many people shy away from the thought of making pasta from home. They envision it as labor intensive, being cooped up in the kitchen all day long. Not so, with new advances in technology in all areas, including kitchen gadgets, making pasta is a snap. All you need is a good quality pasta maker and this is where the Atlas pasta maker comes to the rescue. 

The Atlas pasta maker will turn you into a wonderful Italian chef! Your family will enjoy all types of pasta from lasagna to macaroni and stuffed cannelloni. They will truly think you have slaved in the kitchen for hours. Only you will know different! Pasta dinner parties will soon become a norm in your household. 

Making pasta allows you to be creative in the kitchen with your dishes, no more plain macaroni and cheese. You can easily concoct flavorful recipes with hardly any effort. Your pasta maker is truly simple to operate and comes with optional attachments. 

The basic maker has a handle which you turn as you feed the dough through the machine. To free up your hands, purchase the motor to make preparing pasta faster. With older pasta machines, it took two people to turn the dough into noodles. Today this has gone to a one man operation indeed. 

The Atlas pasta maker will quickly become a staple in your kitchen, you won’t know how you managed without it before. You will have a kitchen gadget that can be passed down to your children too, they are that sturdy and reliable.  

accessories, and attachments visit Atlas Marcato Pasta Maker .There are is also a great recipe on this site as well as a video tutorial on how to make pasta with a traditional hand crank pasta machine.

Full Review of the Atlas Pasta Machine

The Atlas Pasta Machine is great for home use and is even popular in a restaurants for making that homemade pasta that we all love. There are a number of Atlas Pasta machines on the market and they are one of the most popular pasta makers that you will see in kitchens across the world.  

All of their machines are made of chrome plated stainless steel for added corrosion resistance. The roller wheels are usually made of nickel for added protection of the parts that move the most.

The Atlas pasta maker is really easy to clean, the reviews that we have read do say that it can be a bit challenging if the pasta is really sticky but that will hold true with any pasta maker that you buy. Other than that if your dough is the right consistency it is an absolute breeze to clean. to read the rest of this review visit Atlas Pasta Machine Review

Atlas Pasta Machine - A Quality Product

Here is an article that I recently found on the Atlas pasta Machine. This is a great pasta machine that I have used for several years now after my mother gave me one a few holidays past. The review below is good the author highlights a couple different types of atlas brand pasta machines. To Jump to see pricing options click the following link. Atlas Pasta Machine 

 

 

If you enjoy a good pasta meal or if you are looking for a way the entire family can spend some extra time together creating something special or if you are looking for a great gift for a friend or family member, then why not try an Atlas pasta making machine? The taste of homemade pasta is amazing and you will not believe the difference from the store bought variety. Marcato of Italy has been manufacturing pasta making machines for over sixty years. They produce both manual hand cranked pasta machines and electric pasta machines. Marcato is actually the largest manufacturer of pasta machines worldwide.

A manual pasta machine will be less expensive than an electric one and the Marcato Atlas 150 is the most versatile on the market. There is no other pasta machine that offers so many optional attachments. This machine features Wellness rollers; they are made with a special light alloy and are a Marcato exclusive patent and they ensure that your pasta is 100% wholesome. The attachments that are included with the machine are for spaghetti and fettuccine, but you can also purchase attachments that will make vermicelli, capellini, linguine, ravioli and angel hair to name a few. Included with the manual Atlas pasta machine is a 12 page booklet with colored pictures, detailed instructions for recipes and there is a three year warranty. They come in various colors like red, blue, gold, ice and black. You can also purchase a motor that can be attached if you decide you no longer want to knead your own dough or if you want to update to an electric version. This pasta machine is priced at approximately eighty dollars.

The electric Atlas pasta making machine comes with the pasta drive motor already attached. It makes it very easy to prepare fresh pasta with this machine and it will save you a lot of time. So if the process of hand kneading the dough does not appeal to you, then this machine is for you. All you will need to do is put in the ingredients, push a switch and the machine will knead and turn out a lot of fresh pasta with very little effort on your part. The quality of pasta from the electric Atlas pasta machine is just as good as what you will get from the manual version so there is no difference in taste or quality. The only difference is that some people enjoy the entire process that goes along with making the pasta. Also, you will have no need for brackets that attach to the counter or table with the electric version. The electric machine includes recipes and instructions and has a three year warranty just like the manual version. It is priced at approximately one hundred ninety dollars.

There are a lot of pluses for going with both the manual and the electric Atlas pasta machine. Your choice will depend on what version appeals to you more. Some people enjoy gathering around the kitchen and sharing their time as they produce their own homemade pasta while for others time is an issue and they prefer the quicker method.

 

Find Unbelievable Discounts On Atlas Pasta Machines Visit This Site For Discounted Deals => http://atlas-pasta-machine.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Angeli

Swedish Firesteel - Are They A Good Fire Starter?

 

There is something about lighting a fire with a Swedish Firesteel that has caught my attention. Since the first time I saw Bear Grylls use one on Man vs. Wild, I have been compelled to see what it is all about.  I set out to learn the art about 3 years ago when I got my first blast match but I found out fairly quickly that it is not as easy as it looks. 

The Features

The Swedish firesteel metal match works by creating a 3,000 - degree C spark in the direction that you point and strike it. They generally last for about 12k strikes and is approved by the international survival instructors association. 

The great thing about this piece of gear is that you can get it soaking wet and still produce sparks. It has no moving parts like a lighter, to break or fail. I take a lot of Kayaking camping trips and have unfortunately dunked my Kayak on an occasion or two. If I was alone and had soaking wet matches it could potentially be a hypodermic situation when the sun goes down. A Swedish firesteel is one way to make sure you always have fire

Like I alluded to above there is a shift in thinking that has to take place when building a fire with a firesteel. Sure if you have paper or a flammable liquid with you it is no problem, however one thing that a blast match has done for me, is give me a lesson on building a fire. 

Getting A Fire Started

Fibrous tinder is the name of the game. A fire will practically light itself when you are armed with a firesteel and the right tinder. Some of the best tinder that I have found are as follows:

1. Natural fiber twine - I always carry natural fiber twine for lashing and tying down gear.If you take it, and fray the heck out of it, until you have something about the size of a ping pong ball, you are in business.

2. Paper Birch or Birch Bark - It contains a combustible oil and will burn fiercely even when wet. Peel the loose bark - do not cut into the tree.

3.Cattail Fluff - stroke a stick or the back of a knife down the side of a cattail puff to free up the seeds, it lights like crazy.

4. Tree sap - Resin is highly flammable, wet or dry. If you have trees in your area that are leaking sap, rub your kindling on it, and the spark will ignite a flame. Tree sap is usually noticeable from spruce and pine.

 

There are a lot of other tinder types that you can use, but remember to start with small very fine tinder and work your way up as the fire lights and builds.

 

For more information and the best prices on Swedish Fire Steel and click the link. I have also put together a list of the 10 C’s of survivalwhich are strait from Dave Canterberry of Dual survival. I have a bunch of products put together that I use and wont go into the wild without.

Bear Grylls Knife Gerber

The new Bear Grylls knife by Gerber was created hand in hand with Bear Grylls to produce what he believes is the ultimate survival knife. The design looks like Gerber's prodigy survival knife on steroids. For fans of Man Vs. Wild and fans of Gerber knives, this has been a long awaited item. After releasing a knife in 2009 designed by Bayley knife and priced at about 700 smackers, it is about time a more consumer friendly, Bear Grylls branded knife came along. Full article at Bear Grylls Gerber Knife

If you are looking for other quality knives check out Best Survival knife for the Money

Lightweight Tents for Backpacking

Here is an excerpt from a new site that I just found reviewing a few of my favorite ultralight tents

Lightweight tents for backpacking are becoming a staple for avid hikers and campers. Having an ultralight tent in your pack can reduce your carry weight by a solid few pounds and these days, you really don't have to sacrifice a lot of room. There are a lot of great lightweight tents for backpacking on the market but here are a few things that I normally look for in a great tent.

Check out the full site at :Lightweight Tents for Backpacking

Here are some of the sources that are listed for this article.

• Best Survival Knife Options
  There are a lot of great survival knives on the market right now and beyond the standard features of a good survival knife, the choice is based on your preference.
• Portable Solar Panels - Review
  These new portable systems are designed to be highly transportable and really simple to use. In many applications the the portable solar panels are designed to charge a battery which in turn can power camping stoves, flashlights, cellphones, laptops
• Outdoor Survival Tools
  This blog highlights the The 10 Essential Tools for Survival, including some good tent reviews and the 9 other must haves when you are traveling into the woods.
• 5 Best Ultralight Tents for Backpacking
  More ultralight tents for backpacking. This is an article that I found that has some good solid reviews

pillow pals as seen on tv

Pillow pals as seen on TV or better known as Pillow Pets are back in stock! it is tough to say if they will remain available through the holidays as these little stuffed animal pillows are sure to be as big a hit as last year! The New Pink Zebra is in stock and selling like hot cakes. The 18" plush pillow stuffed animal is made of soft black and white plush with a pink tummy. Open the velcro closure and use as a pillow. Close the velcro closure and you have the softest pet ever.

A Super-Soft Chenille Plush Pillow. So cuddly you'll never want to put it down! Starts out as your pal, then un-velcro its belly, and it quickly becomes your pillow. Washable on Gentle Cycle. Not Recommended for the Dryer!

lightweight tents for backpacking

The Mountain Hardwear Helion is one of my favorite ultralight tents. Even though mountain hardware is a bit on the pricey side, you get what you pay for. The Helion is the lightest tent that this company makes and at 3.5 lbs for a 2 person tent I would say that they did a darn good job. The Helion is extremely stable in high winds and was tested in the MountainHardwear rain room with 1200 inches of rain over 24 hours. Outside of making shelter under a lake, this puppy will keep you dry in any condition. This tent has fantastic ventilation due to its complete mesh canopy, this means that you wont wake up soggy with condensation. Amazon has this tent at 299.98 still a bit pricey but a great bargain compared to the $425 that I have seen this tent go for. If you are interested in checking out more light weight tents here are my picks. Lightweight tents for backpacking

Ultralight Tents - Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1

Ultralight tents are a must if you want to stay protected from the elements but don't want to sacrifice the added weight of a heavy tent. There are a lot of ultralight tents for backpacking on the market however when you are searching for one you want to make sure that the tent does not sacrifice weatherproofness or stability. As you get into lighter weight tents the materials can tend to become more delicate but you should not have to sacrifice functionality.

 

The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1

Weight: 2.3lbs                                                                                                        

Number of people: 1                                                                                                  

Dimensions: L86 x W42 x H38

Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 is one of my top choices for a lightweight backpacking tent.It was also Backpacker magazines editors choice. There is enough room inside this tent to accommodate 1 person and gear. The vestibule on this tent is big for the size of the canopy, it adds plenty of room for gear or cooking while out of the elements. The vestibule and tent floor have taped seams which help to make this tent waterproof under some of the toughest conditions.   The mesh canopy on the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 allows great breath-ability so that condensation will not gather inside your tent after a good nights sleep.

The Fly Creek is mainly freestanding, there are two guy lines on the back corners of the tent that complete the set up. However once this thing is totally set up it is extremely solid and will stand up to some pretty serious winds and storms.

For more of the backpacker magazine and Outdoor Magazine top picks checkout my blog. http://www.squidoo.com/lightweight-tents-for-backpacking

 

5 Best Ultralight Tents for Backpacking

Cutting pack weight is king on long treks and shedding some unwanted pounds with Ultralight tents seem to be the trend. Ultralight tents usually come in the form of a 1 or 2 person tent that is designed to be used for 3 seasons (omitting winter). The constant battle with Ultralights is finding the lightest tent that has the most space inside, yet is durable and will stand up to high winds and tough storms. The requirements of good Ultralight tents lend them to have some of the most cutting edge materials and designs which in turn can lead to hefty price tags. I am an avid reader of Outside and Backpacker magazines, I have taken some of their suggestions on gear with great results. Here are some of the highly rated Lightweight tents for backpacking that I have discovered via those publications.


The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1
Weight 2.3 lbs
Number of people: 1 person
The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 Ultra Light Tent was a backpackers magazine editors choice. This is one of those Ultralight tents that really hit the nail on the head. It is has a mesh canopy that helps to cut the weight and keep the tent breathable so that you dont get that unwanted condensation in the morning. It is a single door tent with a large waterproof vestabul that includes watertight taped seams. L86 x W42 x H38


Sierra Designs Vapor Light 
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Number of people 2
The Sierra Designs Vapor Light is the current king of lightweight tents for backpacking. It was rated a best buy according to backpackers magazine and has the features to prove it. This tent has near vertical walls which add a surprising amount of space and headroom. Many lightweight tents have a tendency to be delicate, have weather proofing issues or can be a pain to set up. The Vapor 2 is simple to set up and one reviewer states that it held up to 20 mile an hour winds and even a couple inches of snow. L83 x W49 x H38


Mountain Hardwear Helion 2 Tent
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Number of people: 2
The Mountain Hardwear Helion 2 Tent is the work horse of ultralight tents. this thing has been tested in 24 hours of pelting rain, over 1200 inches to be exact. You will never get wet in this tent. This tent is extremely stable in high winds because of the shape however that does cause you to lose a bit of head room at the tapered end of the tent. The all-mesh canopy reduces weight and provides excellent ventilation and the tall front entry with tapered foot maximizes livability. MHW's patented Evolution Tension Arch provides strength when the weather turns nasty. Freestanding design ensures quick pitch. Guaranteed Watertight Construction. L86 x W45 x H41


Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2
Weight 3.6 lbs
Number of people: 2
Made with at 3 pole configuration it maximizes the frame efficiency however the aircraft aluminum makes the poles lighter than most. Big Agnes Seedhouse  has mesh upper and a construction that will hold up in even the most violent summer storms. This is a 3 season tent and worth every penny. L84 x W52 x H38


Marmot Aura
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Number of people 2
The Marmot Aura 2P won Outside magazines gear of the year award in 2008 and for good reason. In my opinion this tent is yet to be topped. It has two doors with dual vestibules, the interior is seriously big enough for 4 adults to sit up and eat a meal in. The walls are near vertical so the 40 inch ceiling extends over the vast majority of the tent. This system has 4 ultra lightweight poles and has been reported to shrug off 50mph winds! L88 x W50 x L40
For pictures of all of these tents, in depth reviews and price comparisons go to http://www.squidoo.com/lightweight-tents-for-backpacking

Bear Grylls Knife - Gerber

I  Just found two great articles describing the new Bear Grylls Knife by Gerber. This new Bear Gylls Gerber knife is due out in mid November and looks like it is going to be a seriously nice blade. An article " Bear Grylls Knife - Any Good? Describes the knife in some serious detail and has a link to a nice blog posting showing a bunch of pics and a video. Find it here "Bear Grylls Gerber Knife" The knife can be pre-ordered up to the release date or until they run out of stock. It looks like this one is going to be a big time Christmas gift. The other article that I spotted "Bear Grylls Knife 2010 - Review" was basically the same thing but organized a little better. I  have been a big fan of The Bear Grylls clothing line because of the quality and I am sure this Gerber backed knife will be much the same!

The New Bear Grylls Knife - Review

 

The New Bear Grylls knife is yet another branded outdoor item that has hit a home run with survival enthusiasts.  The new Gerber designed blade looks like their prodigy survival knife on steroids. For fans of Man Vs. Wild and fans of Gerber knives, this has been a long awaited item.  After releasing a knife in 2009 designed by Bayley knife and priced at about 700 smackers, it is about time a more consumer friendly knife came along.  

 

The Knife

 

The New Bear Grylls Knife has a stainless steel, partially serrated blade and a stainless steel pummel cap on the butt for hammering or knocking teeth out. The Bolster has two lanyards and another one can be found on the butt of the knife so that it can be lashed to a spear with ease. The handle of this full tang knife is rubber and has a very nicely designed grip even when it is wet.

 

The Sheath

 

The Sheath  on the New Bear Grylls Knife is just as useful and well designed as the knife is. It features a fire stick that has a holster on the front of the sheath. The fire stick or fire steel is a great companion in the wilderness. They produce sparks that are in excess of 3000 degrees C and will spark even if they are wet.  The next feature on the sheath is a diamond wet stone sharpener. It is hidden under the kydex portion of the sheath and that portion folds down to reveal the sharpener.

 

All things considered this is an impressive knife. Priced at 59.99 the knife can be preordered through the below link before November 15 and after that date it can be ordered for immediate shipping. The New Bear Grylls Knife

Bear Grylls Gerber Knife

Bear grylls Gerber knife that is due out in November of 2010 has  just recently been pushed back from the original Amazon release date of November 1st to November 15th. It is unclear if this push back was in direct relation to the overwhelming response of early purchasers pre-ordering their knives.

The Bear Grylls Gerber Knife has a whole host of features that outdoor enthusiasts can't wait to get their hands on including a sheath with a firesteel, and a sharpener. The knife has 3 landyard holes so that it can be affixed to a spear with ease. The blade is partially serrated and butt of the knife features a hammering cap for other survival chores.

 

For a full review of the Bear Grylls Gerber knife and pre-ordering information follow the link -  Bear Grylls Gerber Knife

The 10 Cs of survival

The 10 C's of survival are essential in any survival situation. These are items that you will carry with you, they are designed to give you what you need for basic survival and nothing more. These ten C's represent the type of items that you should carry with you in your kit.

Even though this is a principle of Pathfinder concepts, a brain child of survivalist Dave Canterbury from Discovery channels Dual survival, you can also see many survivalists such as Bear Grylls utilizing all of these items to survive. 

1. Cutting tool, the most difficult thing to reproduce in an outdoor situation. 

2. Combustion, you need something that will start a fire no matter if it is wet or dry, 

3. Cordage, Para cord, rope straps etc

4. Container, something that you can carry, boil, and purify water in.  (guy designed stainless steel bottle.) 

5. Cargo, a pack that you can put your items into. 

6. Compass, some sort of item that you can determine accurate coordinates for.  

7. Cover, you need to have some sort of shelter to protect you from the elements. 

8. Candle or light 100% bees wax candle or a flashlight. 

9. Combination tool which is actually more of a comfort item SAK, multi tool or a saw. 

10. Cloth or bandanna used for filtering water etc.

For more information on the best outdoor equipment click here: 10 C's of Survival

Basement Watchdog 1/3 HP Combination Primary and Backup Sump Pumps w/ Battery and Acid

The Basement Watchdog 1/3 HP combination primary and backup sump pump system is an all in one solution in a box. Like the name states this pumping system has a primary AC pump and a backup battery operated sump pump. If the power goes or your primary pump fails you have a standby backup ready to kick in.

I recently found out just how important a backup sump pump is to a water disposal system. I did not have one set up in my house nor did I realize that there was such a thing. I found out pretty quickly when a  electrical storm knocked the power out at my place and my basement doors decided to leak most of lake Erie into my basement that i needed a battery powered pump just in case.  Anyway, It was a pretty expensive lesson to learn but I learned pretty quickly. 

Stats of the Basement Watchdog 1/3 HP Combination Primary and Backup Sump Pump

• Primary system pumps 3,200 GPH at 0 ft. lift, 2,200 GPH at 10 ft. lift
• Backup system pumps 2,000 GPH at 0 ft. lift, 1,000 GPH at 10 ft. lift
• Both systems have a dual vertical float switch - No mater what sump pump that you pick up you will want it to have a vertical switch.
• Extensive monitoring system to let you know when the backup starts, battery is low, battery fluid is low, etc.
• Battery charger for the back up system

I did some research with this little price finder widget that I have on my computer and at the time of this post Amazon has the best deal. Their bundle comes with a battery and battery acid which are normally add ons that you need to purchase separately.You can check out the amazon buy here.  Basement Watchdog 1/3 HP Combination Primary and Backup Sump Pumps w/ Battery and Acid - SPD-DFK-961KIT

  For more information on Watchdog Sump Pumps and the Basement Watchdog Combination Primary and Backup Sump Pump system follow the links.

Other watchdog sump pump resources