Multipurpose Items for the Prepper (or Anyone Else)

You may or may not be into the whole preparedness movement, but whether you're a prepper, a survivalist or just an ordinary Christian Martialist (as if Christian Martialists were ordinary), you would benefit from looking over the article from Survivopedia that I've linked to below.

It lists a number of uses for common household items like resealable plastic bags, dental floss, and honey. Handy know for when you're in a pinch . . . or the end of the world as we know it.

8 Multipurpose Items to Use for Off-Grid Survival

Old Superhero: The Phantom

The Phantom has always been one of my favorites. In the comics, the whole Phantom persona gets passed down from father to son, through the generations. These pictures show us one Phantom who has evidently had trouble knowing when to let go.

Then again, maybe the old boy still has it. At least, we old duffers would like to think so.

My Concealed Carry Holster

For concealed carry, I use an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. It's made by Crossbreed, and I'm very much satisfied with it.

The one pictured above is identical to mine in design. The weapon and holster slide inside the pants, while the clips remain outside, affixed to the belt. This arrangement allows the weapon to hug the body, while the leather back keeps the hammer and sight from digging into flesh. I find mine extremely comfortable.

The pictured holster differs from mine only in its black color. I ordered mine in natural horsehide. (Horsehide does not absorb sweat and body odors as readily as cowhide.)

Mark Craighead designed the holster. Although he has since died, he leaves behind a legacy of faith and customer service that looks a lot like the Biblical concept of servanthood.

1. Mark was often asked about the origin of the name CrossBreed® Holsters.  He was never ashamed to answer that, although there is some reference to the hybrid nature of his designs, the larger meaning behind his company’s name references the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice upon the cross which was made for all mankind. 
2. CrossBreed® Holsters raised the standard for customer service in the holster industry by offering a two week try-it-free guarantee and a lifetime warranty.  This service continues today with each and every holster that goes out the door. CrossBreed® Holsters’ customers are customers for life. (link)

I have no financial stake in Crossbreed holsters. I'm just a satisfied customer.

Concealed Carry in Georgia

When it comes to concealed carry, Georgia does not have reciprocity with South Carolina, so the last time I was in PA, I obtained a non-resident permit. I used it for the first time yesterday, when my daughter and I spent the day helping my dad move into his new apartment.

The hot day made the move rather tiring, but the concealed carry aspect proved completely uneventful. I don't believe anyone even noticed the full sized 1911 under my pullover shirt. Part of the credit goes to an effective and comfortable concealment holster, and the rest to the fact that I have become so accustomed to going armed that it feels totally natural.

P.S. We got the furniture and boxes of belongings into Dad's apartment, and made it safely back to South Carolina. 

P.P.S. In another post, I plan to talk about my CC holster.

The Case for Owning an Air Rifle

Last week, I posted a video that featured the use of an air rifle for training young people to shoot safely and accurately. Adults can find air rifles useful as well.

Air rifles today are not like the BB guns we used as kids. Many have respectable power and accuracy.

Here's a link to an article that gives you seven good reasons to own an air rifle:

Why Your Survival Cache Must Include an Air Rifle

Bernard J. ("Dr. Barney") Cosneck, Combat Judo and the Comics

I have written about Bernard J. Cosneck's book American Combat Judo here, here and here. Today, I'd like to give you a peek at some of the fascinating facts I've discovered about the author.

Cosneck came from Russian immigrant stock and gained prominence as a Two-Time Big Ten Champion intercollegiate wrestler for the University of Illinois (1932, 1934). He later performed in professional wrestling exhibitions as Barney Cosneck.

Somewhere along the line, in addition to wrestling, he picked up some instruction in jiu-jitsu and savate (French foot fighting). His boxing experience may have come from his association with heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey.

During World War II, he served along with Dempsey as an instructor in hand-to-hand combat for the U.S. Coast Guard. Together, they produced a manual of close quarters fighting for the USCG entitled How to Fight Tough.

Cosneck poses with Jack Dempsey for cover photo

Published in 1942, the manual bears Dempsey's name as the author (along with sports writer, Frank G. Menke). This makes sense because everyone knew his name as a heavyweight champ, even though the book contains no real boxing moves. The photos show Dempsey performing various grappling techniques on Cosneck. I surmise that Cosneck did most of the actual coaching for the volume while Dempsey supplied the name-recognition.

In 1944, Cosneck saw his own American Combat Judo published. It presented a lot of the material found in How to Fight Tough, plus much more.

After the war, he collaborated with Paul W. Stoddard to produce a comic book with the title Judo Joe. It lasted only three issues, and each issue contained instruction in self defense. Interestingly, the moves taught seem to have come directly from American Combat Judo.

Compare the technique below with the one I have posted on the WARSKYL Comic Book Defense page. Note my comments below.

What has always struck me about this illustration is how high he is when he enters the throw. Two different jujitsu instructors (and various judo and jujitsu books) have taught me to enter low, with my hips below that of my opponent. I'm not saying that what Cosneck shows won't work, but that it will take a lot more strength to complete the throw. In the comic book illustration, you see the same high entry. 

From the Barber's Chair: Basic Firearm Operation and Safety

I learned to shoot with a Daisy air rifle. I got mine as a hand-me-down from my cousin -- a Daisy pump. Unlike the slick lever actions the guys in my neighborhood used, my magazine held only 50 BBs, which I had to load one-at-a-time, while the tab of the spring follower bit mercilessly into my forefinger.

It took both patience and pain to load it, so I tended to take more care, aiming each shot. Not so with some of my compatriots who could dump a whole pack of BBs into their lever action models.

My barber brought these memories back to me this morning when he sent me the link to the video below. It's a training video by Crosman in story form -- a boy learning from his grandfather how to shoot an air rifle.

John (The Lawman) Russell plays the part of the grandfather. He died in 1991, so the film has a few years on it. Nevertheless, it teaches timeless principles: muzzle awareness, sight picture, trigger control . . . .

AND if you're a fan of 1950's TV westerns, the scene of Russell with the Winchester will make you smile.

Preparedness from a Christian Perspective

As a Christian Martialist you prepare yourself to defend those you care about from the orcs among us. Hopefully, you have a kit, no matter how small, that you have assembled for every day carry (EDC) to carry you through potential emergencies. Beyond, this, have you considered your level of preparedness  for longer term emergencies?

The Bible has warned to prepare for political disintegration -- doth the crown endure to all generations? -- as well as economic collapse -- riches are not forever.

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens. Proverbs 27:23-27

Yesterday, my wife and I listened to an interview of Don Kobler, known on Youtube as SouthernPrepper1. If you are new to the idea of preparedness, I highly recommend this introduction from a Biblical perspective:

Prepping and God's Providence

He's a prepper, she's a prepper. Wouldn't you like to be a prepper, too?

Seven Tiger Moves

Kenpo Karate master, John McSweeney taught a series of dynamic self resistance exercises called The Seven Tiger Moves. They did not originate with him, but have existed in various martial arts for centuries.

Through his sixties and beyond, observers saw in McSweeney speed and power that martial artists decades younger might envy. He credited the Seven Tiger Moves for his incredible power.

I have used some of John Peterson's version of these moves in the past, but not in a systematic fashion. One thing I like about them is that they are super easy on the joints, especially if you begin, as you should, using no more than half of full effort.

At this point, I have a workout partner and a program for regular exercise that seems to be working for me, so the next step is to systematically work the Tiger Moves into my program. I will post more about the program if it works out as I hope.

In the video below, you will see John Peterson demonstrate these seven exercises along with an instruction in muscle tension and the importance of timed breathing:

JudoMaster Comics

From June 1966 to December 1967, JudoMaster Comics presented a character whose mastery of Judo gave him near super powers. Several of the comics included instructional pages which focused either on history or techniques of a traditional martial art.

The page below introduces the throws taught. You can find the actual instruction here. You may have to scroll down to locate them on the page.

Love Your Neighbor; Buy a Gun

In His Law, God commanded the covenant people, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus quoted this as one of many ringing endorsements of His Father's Law. (Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27)

If you love your neighbor, you will want him to come to no harm. Since it turns out that increased firearms ownership contributes to a climate that discourages violent crime, you should not only own and train with a firearm but encourage your friends and neighbors to do so, as well.

In addition, the proliferation of firearms discourages criminals from violent acts, which means fewer of them will get hurt or killed in the commission of crimes. Therefore, by increasing firearm ownership, you are also loving your enemy, thus fulfilling another command of Jesus. 

Weapon Check, 2

I'm happy to say that I'm not the only one who believes in keeping a weapon at hand (See Weapon Check). I met the author of the following and her husband at a theological conference earlier this year.

A man comes the porch and knocks on my door. I can see him through the window. And through the door which I keep closed--I inform him---due to the threat of home invasions, he asks if we have kids. He's selling educational info. I tell him no, and then he starts asking if this neighbor and that neighbor has children. He would like to save time by skipping houses. I share that I'm uncomfortable answering those questions, and nor do I feel my neighbors would appreciate my telling a stranger where their children live.

I do this all the while wondering if he realizes the black thing I'm flipping in one hand is the holster for the 9mm my husband insists I keep near me while he's gone, which I'm holding in the other. It would explain why he leaned back during the entire conversation. Perhaps now he'll think twice about approaching homeowners and asking residents about neighborhood kids

After I asked her if I could use her story on this blog, she consented and added,

 . . . we finally purchased firearms after hearing far too many stories about home invasions, including home invasions where men knocked on the door and then burst inside when the door was answered. My husband found a pistol I felt comfortable with and made sure I had the proper training, including monthly time on the range. We live in the country and have a constant stream of strangers knocking on our door. Only twice did I feel the need pull it out, but I felt far safer having it in my hand.

The lesson here is that when you and the perpetrator are at your front door, the firearm in your bedroom closet will do you no good.