Friday, February 15, 2013

MAGAZINES FOR THE PREPPER: A REVIEW

PREPPER MAGAZINES


Here are a few magazines I have found to be chocked full of information any Prepper would love to have.  I am sure there are a lot more on the market, but these are the ones I have found, bought, read and felt suited for a review.  These magazines aren't necessarily just for the Prepper, if you like living off the grid (OTG), like making your own tools, a Survivalist, Back Country Adventurer, there might be something for you.



THE BACKWOODSMAN

This is one of my absolute favorites.  I read it cover to cover almost as soon as I get it.  When I see it in the store, I am like a kid at Christmas.  Want to learn how to make Cattail Pancakes? Flies for Fishing? Tortillas? Need a review on a Ruger Mini-14? or a handmade .54 Cal Pistol?  This magazine has it all.  For the record,  all the examples I just gave came from ONE magazine, and there is a lot more.  This magazine is well rounded, covers a world of topics, and gives directions on how to make almost everything from nothing. 

The magazine is a family affair so to speak.  The Richie Family that is.  The boss-man, Charlie, is like your 'odd' Uncle. Let me explain that one.   Some people have that one uncle who does things differently.  Mom tolerates him cause he is her brother and loves him unconditionally, Dad goes to visit him to see what the heck he is up to now, the kids love to visit because he has the neatest things to see, and a new project going all the time.  Loved by all, listened to by many, his writing has a knack of drawing you in and liking him immediately.  Totally down to earth in his approach to self-reliance, and not condescending.   He also has the ability to draw in like-minded contributors for his magazines. 
 
At the back of each magazine is a classified section for those who want to sell / buy anything from land to primitive weapons. If that is not enough, if you look closely, there will be little snippets of information between some of the articles, where there would normally be a little empty space, but Charlie manages to put a 2"x 2" gem about what to do with jelly jars.
 
If you are unsure?  If you think I exaggerate?  Take my 10 minute test. Grab one at the news stand and read two things,  Notes From Charlie, and Letters from The Readers.  Charlie has a following that is loyal (I'm one, and I never met the man).  They thrive on his information,  which is to the point, and honest.  A subscription is a perfect stocking stuffer or birthday present for the Prepper in your family.  
 
My Likes:   Easy to read, Covers almost every topic, Letters from Readers, Diagrams for us simpletons.
 
My Dislikes:  Now that I have a subscription and don't have to search for it, NONE.
 
 
 
LIVING READY
 
To the point, this is not a magazine for the pacifist, or those looking for info on how to harvest onions.  This one is more (they will hate me for this)  Militant.  PREPARED, SKILLED, AWARE is their battle cry, and they sure want that point expressed to readers. 
 
If you want firearm reviews, they have it.  Want to know about knives, they have it.  The ads speak for themselves.  Lots of knife and firearms vendors, with full page ads for the well prepared Prepper.  I found one article that had one of the best explanations of Mil Dot and Minute of Angle for long range shooting, I have ever seen.  Clear and easy for me to understand.   
 
 Now, for those who may be less inclined to buy this magazine based on that, there are articles on other things.   Think you have Bug out Bags figured out?  After reading several articles in Living Ready, we revamped our BOBs because of the common sense suggestions found in the magazine. Ever wonder what is the best firewood?  No?  Read The Ultimate Firewood Stash if you think you had an understanding.  SURPRISE. Interested in Ham Radios?   Yup, they got it.  Ever get your car stuck in the snow?  ruts?  One article has 10 ways to get yourself unstuck. 
 
Among other tidbits, there are a spattering of articles about survivors tales of terror so to speak.
 
My Likes:  Firearms, Knife, Tomahawk Reviews, Specialized Ads for just about anything, Family Protection Articles.

My Dislikes:  Makes me want to rethink my firearms with every ad and article (which might not be a bad thing). 



THE NEW PIONEER

This magazine is for the self reliant Prepper.  Where to start?  Where to start?  Heating tips, Living off the Grid, Gardening, Solar, Thermal, Selling your products etc etc etc.   If you want to live off the grid, BINGO, you have made it to MECCA.  If you hate advertisements, you might like this magazine.  Oh yes, it does have them, but its everything you would need for OTG living.     
 
In a nutshell, I would say this is a family oriented magazine for those who want to live in a simpler time, without relying on others.  No scare tactics for the apocalypse, found here.  Articles range from Heirloom seeds, Ginseng, Geothermal Heat for the handyman, Solar Wood Dryer, Trouble Shooting Ponds, Processing Ms. Piggy, Fire Pits, Cooking on a fire and even Angling. 
 
This is a GREAT magazine for information on Urban Farmers.  I am sure there are other magazines out there specifically for just that, but this one covers lots of extras.  LOTS.   This is a 130 page magazine chocked full of information that is usable, and varied.  For a magazine this size, I first thought there would be 95% of the space for advertisers. Boy was I wrong.  There is a minimum of advertising in this magazine, however, with that comes a higher price tag.  Some one has to pay for the quality writing and I am OK with it being me.  Normally I love magazines where there are advertisements I can actually use.  After all, you never know what you need until some one tells you.  That is what advertisers do.  I am OK with that.  This magazine gives you tons of information (I know I know I keep saying that), without a ton of ads.  I can live with that.
 
With that said, I want to mention a name, Denis Prisbrey.  When I read an article I visualize some guy sitting at his laptop in some city apartment, regurgitating info from some magazine he read in 1965.  I first read an article by Denis and discovered he is the one in his pictures, actually doing what he is writing about.  Don't get me wrong, there are lots of writers out there who practice what they preach, but this was the FIRST writer I noticed right off.    Maybe its the penetrating eyes, I don't know, but I liked the articles, and found his picture to be memorable.  He contributes to several magazines and I am sure you will find his information, well defined.
 
All in all, I am sure you will like this magazine if you are self-reliant. 
 
My Likes:  Few Ads, wide ranging articles with something for everyone, Do It Yourself Section, Denis Prisbrey articles.
 
My Dislikes:  I could argue the price but I won't.  It is a bit hard to find in Canada for now.
 
 
 
 
 
AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN - Premier Issue
 
If this is what can be expected for future issues, I will have a subscription shortly.  If you find this on the news shelves READ THE WELCOME FRONTIERSMAN message from the editors.   This is truly an amazing magazine for those who are Survivalists, Of the Grid, Back Country Hunters, Preppers, and any Outdoorsman / woman.  Article after Article of interesting things to do, make, eat.  It has it all.  Like The New Pioneer, this is a huge magazine (130 pages), crammed (and I mean CRAMMED) full of excellent information. 
 
Want to build a Dugout Canoe? Tan some hides? Build some simple camp tools? Build a trapper cabin? Hunt squirrel? Cook a rabbit? Make an Atlatl? Butcher big game? Build a debris hut? Learn about deer heart recipes? Practice distress signals? Find out how a snakebite affected a victim, with no treatment?  OK you get the hint,  It has EVERYTHING, even a few articles from Denis Prisbrey. 
 
There is very little in the way of advertising, which leads to the higher price. Again, I can surely live with the price considering, I have just read this magazine TWICE, AND have taken notes. I have mixed feelings about a lack of advertising, as stated previously, since I do like to see what is out there that will help me in my endeavours.  I guess I can get that info from another magazine.  If I want information on how to do things in the wild, this is a must have magazine.  I hope this is not the first and last issue.   Cheer them on, buy the magazine, and encourage them to keep on writing, this is a keeper.
 
My Likes:  EVERYTHING!  This and Backwoodsman are my favorite magazines, Sorry Charlie.  It appeals to me and what I like to do. I am a slow reader, but I retain almost everything, this one made me read it twice, just in case I missed anything.
 
My Dislikes:  I will REALLY REALLY dislike not having a second issue,  No subscriptions available YET.  Give it time. 
 
If you have any other's to recommend, let me know,  Thanks. Preppersaurus Rex

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