The world remembers the first clash of ironclad warships on March 9, 1862, as the battle between “Monitor and Merrimac.” Technically, their duel was part of the Battle of Hampton Roads and the Merrimac was renamed the CSS Virginia; but in fairness, “Monitor and Merrimac” is appealing to the ear and it was documented at the time that the Confederate ironclad was frequently referred to by her old U.S. Navy name in the press, and even among her own crew.

Monitor And Merrimac Early On

Like a lot of boys in my generation, I became intimately interested in Monitor and Merrimac through a Lindberg plastic model kit they introduced in 1962 on the 100^th anniversary of the battle. They were delightful for bathtub combat and the Merrimac even had a little battery powered motor.

When the wreck of the Monitor was discovered in the early 1970s and documented in National Geographic magazine, I poured over the montaged photos of its collapsing 5/8” thick hull plating and broken ribs through a magnifying glass with profound disappointment. She lay upside down, the rear of her port side resting on her dislodged turret with her starboard side buried. Though only 213 feet down, the vessel that once sailed through more than a score of hits from the Merrimac’s 9-inch smoothbore and 7-inch and 6.4-inch Brooke rifled guns hardly worse for the wear, appeared too delicate from deterioration to be raised from her watery grave. 

Monitor Recovery Efforts

Fortunately, some people love history so much, they can’t take no for an answer. They concluded that if they couldn’t recover the whole Monitor, they should at least recover some of it. To date, over 1,500 artifacts have been brought to the surface! You can see her 9-foot tall screw still attached to a section of the propellor shaft, and the bronze engine register bearing her name that recorded its revolutions. Monitor was the first U.S. Navy vessel to have flushing toilets, five in total (two for officers, two for enlisted, and a private one for the captain) and the plumbing for one is on exhibit. A mistake in the sequence of valve opening demonstrated to the ship’s surgeon that the toilet could become a most unsanitary fountain.

Also on display is the anchor and chain that her captain dropped in desperation on the night of December 30, 1862, in a vain attempt to stabilize the flat bottomed vessel as it pitched and rolled through the heavy waves in a severe storm 16 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. You can see the red lantern that signaled the Monitor’s tow ship, the USS Rhode Island, that the ironclad was sinking. Hours after the surviving crew were rescued, witnesses recalled that red lantern atop the turret mast tossed around by the violent sea, disappearing under the waves, then reappearing again and again, until finally disappearing for good.

Personal Effects

Sixteen of the Monitor’s crew were lost. The remains of two of them were discovered entombed in the turret, one possibly crushed under the cannon when the vessel capsized. You can see their personal effects: a pocket knife, wedding ring, mismatched shoes, perhaps hastily pulled on in the dark before that unlucky sailor began his life or death transit of the ship’s flooding interior, praying to reach the turret and escape out its roof hatch.

Mariners Museum

The Mariners Museum at Newport News, Virginia, in addition to being a first class nautical museum, is home to the USS Monitor Center and responsible for the care of over 200 tons of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Civil War ironclad, including its massive revolving gun turret, 11-inch Dahlgren cannons, and steam engine. The preservation of these artifacts at the co-located,15,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, Batten Conservation Complex, is the world’s largest marine archaeological metals conservation project. Because the process of desalinization can take decades, the big and most spectacular pieces in this collection won’t be on display for years to come. However, I can say from experience, I found their Ironclad Revolution exhibit so engaging I didn’t even realize the real turret, cannons and engine weren’t on display until I saw them through the windows of the conservation complex submerged in their desalinization tanks.

Ironclad Revolution Exhibit

Whatever your level of scholarship, the multi-faceted Ironclad Revolution exhibit offers engaging insights into the technological, economic, political and strategic forces that shaped naval combat into the first year of Civil War, and ultimately led to the frenzied construction of the ironclad Monitor and Merrimac. These completely new and untested vessels went from drawing board to battle in about 10 months, and both went to the bottom before the end of 1862.

Their two days in battle demonstrated that wooden warships, whether propelled by wind or steam, were no match for armored ships (the Merrimac destroyed the USS Cumberland and Congress with ease), and armor protected revolving gun turrets (Monitor had the first) made all previous gun mountings obsolete. The exhibit also explains the who’s-who of this story. From presidents, engineers, and admirals down to common sailors and cooks, you’ll find just the right amount of biographical information enhanced with their actual words (drawn from records and personal correspondence) to humanize this larger-than-life legend and allow visitors to connect with the people who lived it. I stayed four hours (it seemed like one) and could have stayed the whole day.

Full-Scale Replica

If your time is limited, start your visit by walking around the full-scale replica of the USS Monitor displayed outside to the left of the lobby doors. The 1720foot long, 41.5-foot wide, iron hulled ship had only 18 inches of freeboard above the water and its most notable feature was a cylindrical turret, about 20 feet in diameter, protruding above its flat, 1-inch thick, iron deck plates. Confederate sailors mockingly described it as a “Yankee cheese box on a raft.”

What we can see, and they couldn’t, is the Monitor had half the draft of the Merrimac allowing her more room to maneuver in the shallow harbor. The draft of Merrimac’s keel, nominally 21 feet, confined her to the narrow shipping channel which at its broadest point was just over two and half miles wide. Merrimac needed a mile to make a 180 degree turn. The Monitor sailed rings around her.

Seeing the Monitor replica outside gives you a frame of reference for the inside exhibit. Pay the $1 admission and find out when the next Battle of Hampton Roads documentary is playing in the theater. While you wait, check out the 9-inch Dahlgren smoothbore cannon with its muzzle shot off at the exhibit entrance. It was on the Merrimac, and the muzzle was shot away by the valiant crew of the USS Cumberland on the first day of the battle. 

Battle of Hampton Roads 

The 15 minute documentary is an excellent, dramatic, overview of the two day battle. You’ll see the havoc the Merrimac caused among the wooden ships on the first day, including how she sank the USS Cumberland with her 1,500 pound iron bow ram, set the USS Congress ablaze with red hot cannon projectiles heated in a furnace installed just for that purpose, and caused the remaining frigates to run aground before withdrawing from Hampton Roads for the night ahead of the falling tide that would have surely immobilized her.

 Monitor was on its way to Hampton Roads before the battle began. Delayed after nearly sinking in rough seas while sailing from New York, it dropped anchor around 1am, in time to witness the spectacular explosion of the USS Congress. The ironclads met the next morning, and fought each other to a confused draw four hours later. U.S. Navy casualties numbered over 261 dead and 108 wounded, nearly all from the first day. The Merrimac had only 25 wounded among her 320 man crew. Monitor had three.

Parts Of The Monitor And Merrimac

After the film, explore the life-size, cutaway, replicas of parts of the Monitor and Merrimac. The real meaning of the term ironclad is readily apparent. Both vessels made extensive use of wood. Merrimac’s entire hull was salvaged from the sunken USS Merrimack, and the new casement was 24 inches of wood with 4 inches of iron plating outside. The Monitor, though of more advanced design with an iron lower hull, had a wooden upper deck sheathed in heavy protective armor.

In these exhibits, you can appreciate how imaginative and technologically advanced these vessels were, and also how deeply flawed. The submerged hull of the Merrimac was a tremendous strain on the engines and leaked so badly, one has to wonder if it was always a failed bilge pump away from sinking. Monitor’s steam powered turret turned easily, but proved near impossible to stop on target, forcing the gun crew to fire on the fly. In addition, though nearly impervious to enemy fire, it was apparent immediately that the Monitor was not seaworthy.  

A great side trip if you plan on visiting Colonial Williamsburg or Yorktown Battlefield, The Mariner’s Museum, located at 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Virginia, 23606, is open daily from 9-5pm.

The post Ironclad Revolution Exhibit — Where The Monitor and Merrimac Come To Life appeared first on Athlon Outdoors Exclusive Firearm Updates, Reviews & News.

United States President Donald Trump wants to take over Greenland in the name of “national security.” Earlier, Trump appointed a special envoy to the Arctic island, triggering a backlash from Denmark’s ruling class.

Greenland is currently under Danish rulership, but it claims the U.S. needs it for its strategic location.  “You look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it,” he added.

He also wants it for the island’s mineral resources.

Trump has not ruled out annexation and taking the island by force. Earlier, Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana was appointed as the US special envoy to Greenland, saying he chose Landry because “he’s a deal-maker-type guy.” Trump seems to think Landry can convince Denmark to hand over Greenland.

Landry later wrote on X that it was “an honor to serve” in the volunteer role “to make Greenland a part of the US,” saying it would not affect his duties as governor, according to a report by RT. 

Back in June, the U.S. backed off its efforts to acquire the Arctic island; however, it appears that the ruling class is once again determined.

U.S. Backs Off of the Takeover of Greenland

Denmark is not amused with the U.S.’s attempts to take over Greenland.

“Out of nowhere, there is now a special US presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told the TV 2 channel, calling the development “completely unacceptable.”

If the ruling class of Denmark wanted, it could take this special envoy appointment as an act of war. The U.S. has previously admitted that military force would not be off the table when it comes to the takeover of Greenland.

U.S. Will Acquire Greenland “One Way Or The Other”

Is this an act of war? It seems like, at the bare minimum, it’s a threat. What do you think?

Hundreds of millions of people all over the western world are enjoying the holiday season as if nothing has changed.  But meanwhile the pounding of the war drums just continues to intensify.  If the world keeps going down this path, next year’s holiday season could look completely different.  Unfortunately, most people seem to assume that everything will magically work out just fine somehow.  That greatly frustrates me, because ignoring the reality of the crisis that we are facing is not going to fix anything.  If ordinary citizens in the western world truly understood what was at stake, they would be going completely ballistic right now.  Global war is rapidly approaching, but the vast majority of our entertainment-addicted population doesn’t seem to get this.

Over the weekend, there were some very alarming new developments.

On Saturday, U.S. forces seized another Venezuelan oil tanker…

In a pre-dawn operation on Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries. A U.S. official told CBS News that the interdiction of the vessel followed a similar playbook to an earlier U.S. seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said on social media that the vessel on Saturday was “a falsely flagged vessel operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil and fund the narcoterrorist Maduro regime.”

Needless to say, the Venezuelans were furious.

They accused the U.S. of committing a “serious act of piracy”…

In a statement on Saturday, the Venezuelan government condemned the vessel’s seizure, saying it was a “serious act of piracy.”

“The colonialist model that the U.S. government seeks to impose through such practices will fail and be defeated by the Venezuelan people,” the statement said.

Of course now that the ball is rolling, the U.S. does not intend to stop.

On Sunday, it was being reported that U.S. forces were pursuing yet another oil tanker…

The United States is pursuing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, according to multiple reports, just a day after the Coast Guard seized a different tanker in the same waters amid a rapid U.S. military buildup in the region.

If seized, it would mark the third U.S. interception of an oil tanker in less than two weeks. An official told Reuters on Dec. 21 the tanker was under sanctions, and it had not been boarded so far. Officials did not give a specific location for the operation or name the vessel being pursued, according to Reuters. Bloomberg was among the first to report on the operation.

The pursuit of the tanker comes less than a week after President Donald Trump ordered a “blockade” of all sanctioned ships from entering and leaving Venezuela, further pressuring the oil-rich nation’s economy.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul is calling the seizure of these tankers a “prelude to war”.

He is quite right about that.

And now that the Venezuelan Navy will be escorting at least some of these tankers, the shooting could begin at any time…

Venezuela has ordered its navy to escort its tankers carrying petroleum products from its ports after President Trump declared a “complete and total blockade” on “sanctioned” tankers going into and out of Venezuela, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The report said that several ships sailed from Venezuela’s east coast with a naval escort on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. US forces already boarded and seized one tanker last week and intend to steal the cargo. If the US attempts to seize another tanker, it could now lead to a direct clash with the Venezuelan Navy.

People need to understand that it isn’t just Venezuela that we are making angry.

Approximately 40 percent of the oil that Cuba imports comes from Venezuela, and we are being told that if that oil is cut off the Cuban economy could collapse…

Venezuela remains Cuba’s most important energy supplier, covering roughly 40% of the oil Havana needs to import. While shipments have already fallen sharply from their peak years ago, analysts warn that any further disruption could have catastrophic consequences. Energy experts say a sharp drop in Venezuelan crude would likely trigger a full-scale economic collapse on the island, the Journal reported.

And as I discussed last week, China imports more oil from Venezuela than the rest of the world combined.

This blockade is going to be really bad for our relationship with China, and that could end up having enormous implications for all of us.

Meanwhile, the Russians continue to take control of more territory in Ukraine…

Russian forces have taken control of the settlements of Vysoke in the Sumy region and Svitloe in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported in its daily briefing.

Svitloe is located between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, while Vysoke lies close to the border with Russia’s Belgorod region. The Defense Ministry regularly reports on settlements coming under Russian control in the zone of the military operation. According to the ministry, eight settlements came under Russian control in the week leading up to December 12, including Seversk in the DPR. On December 17, the ministry also reported the capture of the village of Herasymivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Every time the Russians move forward, our European allies will become more desperate to stop them.

But the only way that Ukraine can win the war is if we get directly involved in the conflict.

According to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, that is “ultimately what the EU and NATO want”…

She went on to accuse the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of wanting to pull the U.S. into direct battle with Russia.

“[Deep-staters] foment fear and hysteria as a way to justify the continuing of the war and their efforts to undermine President Trump’s efforts towards peace,” Gabbard said. “And do so in this case in order to try to pull the U.S. military into a direct conflict with Russia, which is ultimately what the EU and NATO want.”

“We cannot allow this to happen,” she declared.

Right now, the Ukrainians and the Europeans are working on a “deal” that they know with 100 percent certainty that the Russians will reject.

When the Russians inevitably reject that “deal”, that will be used as justification for what they want to do next.

And what they want to do next is certainly not a mystery, because they have been feverishly preparing for it.

Unfortunately, events in the Middle East are heading in a very alarming direction as well.

On Sunday, the IDF conducted more strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon…

The Israeli military said Sunday that it targeted Hezbollah operatives in strikes in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry reported one person was killed and another wounded.

Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure or operatives violating the November 2024 ceasefire.

Hezbollah is supposed to disarm, but that never was going to happen.

So the IDF is just going to keep hitting them.

And according to NBC News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon be presenting options for attacking Iran again to President Trump…

Israeli officials have grown increasingly concerned that Iran is expanding production of its ballistic missile program, which was damaged by Israeli military strikes earlier this year, and are preparing to brief President Donald Trump about options for attacking it again, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plans and four former U.S. officials briefed on the plans.

Israeli officials also are concerned that Iran is reconstituting nuclear enrichment sites the U.S. bombed in June, the sources said. But, they added, the officials view Iran’s efforts to rebuild facilities where they produce the ballistic missiles and to repair its crippled air defense systems as more immediate concerns.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet later this month in Florida at the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate. At that meeting, the sources said, Netanyahu is expected to make the case to Trump that Iran’s expansion of its ballistic missile program poses a threat that could necessitate swift action.

The Israelis and the Iranians both clearly understand that their fight is not over.

So both sides are getting ready for the next round.

2025 has certainly been a chaotic year.

But I expect 2026 to be even crazier.

The drumbeats of war are steadily getting louder, and if we don’t turn back now the death and destruction that we will witness will be off the charts.

Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post The Drumbeats Of War Are Getting Louder appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

Survival weapons may look outdated in a world of software apps and instant connectivity. But if the grid fails or a natural disaster occurs, these ‘relics’ may be the difference between life and death.  What will happen if a hurricane or wildfire leaves your family stranded off-road and forces you to use field tools to secure shelter or game? Or if a massive, sustained power outage creates desperation, and you’ll need to protect your home from an opportunistic threat? Your well-being depends on your capacity to manage these immediate threats and protect your people. In those moments, the physical tools will matter more than the tech you couldn’t live without.

This comprehensive guide is your tactical blueprint for making the most informed choice. We break down the mission-critical specs for everything from field-serviceable survival rifles and pistols to the utility of the tactical tomahawk and silent precision of the crossbow. Read on to stop guessing and start building a genuinely resilient and legally sound preparedness plan for your specific environment and threat profile.

Table of Contents

1. Firearms for Survival and Defense
 1.1. Survival Rifle
 1.2. Survival Pistol
 1.3. Home-Defense Shotgun

2. Ammunition Storage
 2.1. Storage Guidelines

3. Edged Weapons for Fieldwork and Survival Tasks
 3.1. Survival Machete
 3.2. Tactical Tomahawk
 3.3. Survival Sword

4. Alternative Weapons for Silent or Improvised Defense
 4.1. Crossbow Hunting

5. FAQs

Firearms for Survival and Defense

Firearms remain the most reliable tools for hunting and personal protection in any survival setting. In this section, you’ll learn how to choose a rifle for distance shooting, a pistol for fast defensive use, and a shotgun for close-quarters control inside the home. We’ll explain each firearm’s purpose and the ammunition types that keep it practical for long-term use.

Survival Rifle 

A survival rifle is a shoulder-fired tool that you can carry long distances and repair in the field. Pick the ones with cartridges that are easy to find in your region for resupply, and the ones with an optic or iron sights that keep zero after bumps and knocks. Train with the exact rifle and ammo you plan to carry so reloading and malfunction drills go off without a hitch.

Best Use

A survival rifle lets you hunt for food, defend open ground, and shoot at longer ranges.

• Small-game hunting: Use a .22 LR or lightweight .22 Magnum rifle to conserve heavy rounds while taking small game such as rabbits and squirrels.
• General survival & patrol: Use a 5.56/.223 semi-auto carbine for a mix of light recoil, magazine capacity, and ammo availability on resupply.
• Large game or long shots: Use a bolt-action in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor for penetration on bigger animals and extended ranges.
• Short- to mid-range bush use: Use a takedown or folding-stock model to save pack space without sacrificing rifle ballistics.
• Noise management where legal: Fit a durable muzzle device or suppressor if allowed, to protect hearing and reduce detection during hunts.

Key Specs & Setup 

These choices make a rifle reliable and field-serviceable for extended outings.

Spec	Pick & why
Caliber	Choose a cartridge commonly sold where you live so you can resupply.
Action type	Pick a simple bolt or basic semi-auto you can field-strip and fix without special tools.
Barrel length	Use ~16″ for easier carry and handling or 18–20″ if you need more velocity for hunting shots.
Optic + backup	Fit a rugged low-power scope or red dot and keep iron sights aligned as a reliable fallback.
Spare mags & field kit	Carry at least three magazines or 20–30 rounds and a small kit with a cleaning rod, lube, and one common spare part.

Survival Pistol

A survival pistol is a short, fast-access handgun built to work when you are on the move. Choose a size and grip that let you get solid, repeatable shots while wearing a pack or light gloves. Train with the exact holster, magazine, and ammo you plan to carry so reloads and stoppage drills will be much easier.

Best Use

A survival pistol is your fast-access tool for close threats and last-resort defense. It gives you a compact, mobile option when a long gun is unavailable or impractical.

• Immediate close defense: A compact 9mm or .45 in a strong holster lets you stop a person-sized threat with quick, controlled shots.
• Vehicle and seated work: A short-barrelled pistol carried in a vehicle or shoulder rig is easy to bring to bear from a seated position during movement or roadside checks.
• Hands-on escape: A pistol kept indexed in a chest or hip holster gives you an option to break contact and create distance when you cannot reach a rifle.
• Night or low-light clears: A pistol with a mounted light and bright front sight lets you identify and engage threats in dark rooms at close range.
• Tool for short-range animal threats: A revolver or compact semi-auto provides an immediate option to stop aggressive animals at very close range.

Key Specs & Setup

These practical choices keep a survival pistol reliable and quick to use in the field.

Spec	Pick & why
Platform & size	Choose a compact or service-size pistol so you can control recoil and shoot accurately from standing or seated positions.
Caliber consistency	Use a caliber that is commonly available locally and train with the same ammo you carry to avoid surprises in recoil and feeding.
Grip fit & control	Pick a grip shape and texture that let you index the gun the same way every draw and operate controls with wet or gloved hands.
Sights & aiming	Fit a bright front sight or a tritium dot, and confirm the sight picture at your expected engagement distances for accurate hits.
Light & threaded options	Add a compact weapon light for room work and consider a threaded barrel only if legal and you plan to use a suppressor for hearing protection.

Home-Defense Shotgun

A home-defense shotgun is a short, simple long gun intended as a last-resort option for very close threats near or inside your home. It can deliver heavy stopping power at short distances, but it also risks over-penetration and collateral damage through walls or into neighboring units. Choose loads that reduce through-wall risk, and keep the gun secured when not in use.

Best Use

Use a shotgun only in immediate, life-threatening situations inside or immediately adjacent to your residence where no safer option exists.

• Immediate interior threat: Use a shotgun at very close ranges (roughly contact to 10–15 yards) when an armed or violent intruder is present and you cannot safely retreat or secure others.
• Close exterior encounters: Use a shotgun at very short distances outside structures (porch, shed, gate) against aggressive animals or an imminent human threat, and always consider bystanders and backstop before shooting.

Key Specs & Setup

Spec	Pick & why
Gauge	Choose 12-gauge for standard ammo and stopping power or 20-gauge if you need lower recoil for faster follow-up shots.
Action type	Pick a pump action for reliability across many loads or a proven semi-auto if you want softer recoil and quicker follow-ups.
Barrel & stock	Use an 18–20″ barrel and a short stock or shortened length-of-pull to improve maneuvering in tight rooms.
Ammo & pattern testing	Select a specific buckshot load and pattern it at home so you know where pellets hit through doors and at typical engagement ranges.
Light & handling kit	Fit a compact weapon light, use a secure short sling or retention option, and carry extra shells in a side-saddle or pouch for fast reloads.

Ammunition Storage

Ammunition stays dependable only when it’s protected from the environmental factors that cause degradation. Exposure to heat, humidity, and physical damage can corrode brass and make primers unreliable. Storing rounds correctly keeps performance consistent and prevents dangerous malfunctions when you fire them.

Storage Guidelines

• Control heat and moisture: Store ammo in a cool, dry place (around 50–70°F and below 50% humidity) because high heat can break down powder and primer compounds, while moisture causes corrosion that leads to misfires or pressure spikes. Avoid storing ammo in attics, vehicles, or garages where temperatures fluctuate.
• Use sealed, labeled containers: Keep ammunition in its original boxes inside metal cans or polymer totes with tight gaskets to block moisture. Label each container with caliber, round count, and purchase date so you can rotate older stock first and avoid mixing different types of ammo.
• Add moisture control packs: Place silica-gel or other desiccant packs inside sealed containers to capture humidity that can sneak in when opening cans. Replace or recharge them every 6–12 months to prevent the brass and primers from oxidizing.
• Secure and inspect routinely: Store ammo locked and out of reach of children, and follow local laws on separating it from firearms. Inspect at least once a year and set aside any rounds with corrosion, dents, cracked necks, loose bullets, or high primers. Also, do not fire questionable ammo. Instead, mark it “do not use” and take it to a gunsmith or local hazardous-waste authority for proper disposal.

Edged Survival Weapons for Fieldwork

When the survival task requires cutting or shaping, you’ll need a dependable blade to execute the job. This section breaks down how a machete handles overgrowth, how a tomahawk provides control for chopping and light breaching, and how a survival sword performs in vast, open terrain. You’ll also learn which blade shapes and carry systems offer the best return for real field work.

Survival Machete 

A survival machete is a long, single-edge field blade designed for cutting through vegetation and preparing light building materials. It bridges the gap between a knife and an axe as it’s long enough for reach but light enough for constant use. Choose a blade length and shape that matches your environment. For example, thinner blades work best in wet, green vegetation, while heavier profiles handle dry brush and light wood. A good machete maintains a sharp edge after repeated swings and is simple to maintain with a basic sharpening stone.

Best Use

A machete is most effective in overgrown or resource-limited environments where an axe or a saw isn’t practical to use.

• Trail clearing in dense vegetation: The machete excels at cutting vines, tall grass, and thin saplings, which helps you reopen old paths or carve new ones through jungle and woodland areas.
• Camp and shelter setup: When building a quick shelter, the machete makes short work of poles, palm fronds, and leafy branches for framing, bedding, or thatching.
• Homestead maintenance: On rural or off-grid property, the machete can help handle heavy weeds and garden waste especially when power tools are unavailable.
• Fire and tool preparation: In camp, it can split small logs or shape stakes and handles.
• Emergency field carry: In wilderness travel or vehicle kits, a machete doubles as a backup utility and self-protection tool, though it should always be secured and used within legal and safety limits.

Key Specs & Setup

Spec	Pick & Why
Blade length	12–18″ balances reach and control for extended cutting sessions.
Blade profile	Latin or bolo designs excel in clearing green growth; kukri-style adds forward weight for tougher wood.
Steel type	Medium-carbon steel offers strong edge retention and easy field sharpening.
Handle & grip	Textured or rubberized handle improves grip in rain or sweat and prevents rotation during heavy swings.
Sheath & carry	Use a fitted leather or Kydex sheath at the belt or pack strap; store a small sharpening stone and light oil for field upkeep.

Tactical Tomahawk 

A tactical tomahawk is a short-handled steel tool shaped for chopping on one side and prying or piercing on the other. Choose a hawk with a secure head attachment and a handle length that fits your reach and pack configuration.

Best Use

Use a tomahawk when you need controlled strikes or short-range prying.

• Vehicle rescue: The tomahawk breaks thin tempered glass and cuts seatbelts quickly during extrication, which gives first responders a compact option for initial access.
• Light breaching: The hooked or spike end pries or lifts trim and light panels, allowing entry through drywall or soft doors without hauling full-size tools.
• Camp & trail work: The tomahawk’s blade shapes tent stakes faster than a knife, and it’s also lighter than an axe for pack carry.
• Leverage in tight gaps: The poll or pry-beak applies leverage to move nails, pry boards, or clear small obstructions where a hammer or crowbar cannot fit.
• Emergency tool on a rig: Mounted on a belt or sling, the tomahawk gives vehicle occupants a reachable tool for cutting, hammering, or forced access during emergencies.

Key Specs & Setup

Spec	Pick & why
Construction	Choose full-tang or secure head-to-handle join for durability under repeated strikes.
Head shape	Pick a blade + spike/pry combo if you need cutting and leverage in one tool.
Weight & length	Use a 18–28 oz head and ~14–18″ handle for fast swings and to reduce fatigue.
Sheath & retention	Fit a compact sheath with a positive retention strap and a belt/pack mount for safe carry.
Maintenance basics	Carry a small file or stone, check the head fit before use, and file chips to keep the edges sharp.

Survival Sword 

A survival sword is a long-bladed cutting tool designed for open environments where reach and sweeping cuts matter. It works best in places too wide for a machete and too light-duty for an axe. The extended edge lets you cover more ground with fewer swings, but it also demands awareness of proper footing and consistent balance. Because of its size, store the sword sheathed and use it only where long-edge cutting offers a real advantage.

Best Use

A survival sword is suited for wide, open areas and large plant material where reach and slicing efficiency outweigh portability.

• Field and pasture clearing: The sword’s long edge can cut through tall grass, brush, and vines across open fields, which helps you clear the ground faster.
• Crop and reed harvesting: A survival sword is ideal for cutting long stalks of cane, bamboo, or thatch materials when building shelters or bundling feed on rural properties.
• Construction material prep: It’s also for slicing natural building materials like reeds or palm fronds into uniform lengths for shelter roofing or fencing.

Alternative Survival Weapons for Silent or Improvised Defense

Some survival situations call for quiet shots and discreet carry, so you’ll need silent tools you can make or maintain yourself. This section explains how a crossbow delivers accurate, low-noise hunting performance and how a modern slingshot provides small-game capability with minimal gear. Each weapon is covered with attention to range, power, and the practical upkeep needed to keep it ready in the field.

Crossbow Hunting 

A crossbow fires short bolts with rifle-like precision and minimal draw skill. It’s heavier than a traditional bow but offers steadier, quieter shots once properly sighted in. Treat it like a compact hunting rifle by cocking it safely and matching the bolts to its power.

Best Use

A crossbow is ideal for short- to mid-range hunting where accurate and stable aiming are more valuable than fast follow-up shots.

• Deer and large-game hunting: A crossbow provides controlled, high-energy shots from ground blinds or tree stands, which makes it ideal for hitting game within 20–50 yards.
• Homestead or property hunting: The quiet shot and compact frame make the crossbow suitable for taking game near homes, barns, or livestock without alarming the neighbors.
• Scoped or seated shooting setups: Its rifle-style stock and scope system allow steady, seated aiming, which is perfect for hunters who prefer precision over speed or have limited space to stand and draw.
• Accessible use for lower strength hunters: With rope cockers or crank systems, the crossbow allows older hunters or those with reduced strength to maintain consistent draw tension and bolt accuracy safely.

Top 5 Key Specs

Spec	Pick & Why
Draw weight	Match to your strength; use a rope or crank for safe cocking.
Bolts	Use bolts rated for your crossbow’s FPS to prevent damage or poor flight.
Scope	Fit a BDC or 1–4x scope and zero at your typical hunting range.
Noise control	Add dampeners or silencers for quieter shots near homes.
Maintenance	Keep wax, rail lube, and spare strings for reliable performance.

Survival Weapon Guide: Your Final Tactical Check

The ultimate goal of this survival guide was to replace weapon guesswork with field-tested choices that’ll keep you protected. You now hold the complete tactical requirement for self-reliance: the knowledge to choose a field-serviceable rifle for resupply, a fast-access pistol for close threats, and utility blades like the tomahawk for fieldwork.

So, are your survival weapons mission-ready or are you still relying on luck?

Audit your current gear against our key specs, schedule your next training session, and lock down your ammunition storage today.

FAQs

1. What qualifies as a survival weapon?
A survival weapon is any tool you rely on to secure food, clear obstacles, or protect people when normal services are unavailable. Examples include rifles and pistols for hunting and defense, edged tools like machetes and tomahawks for cutting and shelter work, and quieter platforms such as crossbows or slingshots for low-sign hunting.

2. How should I store and maintain these tools?
Keep firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition in cool, dry storage. Store blades sheathed and out of reach, and hang larger tools so edges stay protected. Rotate and inspect ammo and blades regularly for corrosion or damage. Carry a small field kit for basic repairs and cleaning, and keep spares for wear items like springs, strings, or desiccant packs.

3. Do I need formal training to use a survival weapon?
Yes. Formal training builds safe habits and faster decision-making under stress. Take certified courses for firearms or archery, practice reloads and malfunction drills, and run simple scenario training that matches where you live. Training should include legal use of force, safe storage, and routine maintenance so your gear works when you need it.

How to Keep Warm Without Electricity Article Summary:

When electricity goes out in winter, most homes tend to lose heat quickly. Furnaces and heat pumps stop, indoor temperatures fall, and people often respond by trying to heat the entire house or by using devices that are not safe indoors. Both approaches waste fuel and increase the risk of fire or carbon monoxide exposure.

This article explains how to keep warm without electricity by setting up a heat room. A heat room is a single, controlled space inside your home that you prepare to stay warm, dry, and safe for a limited period of time. The goal is not comfort in the normal sense. The goal is maintaining body temperature safely until power is restored or you relocate.

This approach assumes limited equipment, limited fuel, and the presence of children or other dependents. It avoids improvised heating methods and focuses on reducing risk while staying warm enough to function.

Last update on 2025-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

(As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

What a Heat Room Is and Why It Works

A heat room works by reducing the amount of space you are trying to keep warm. Heating a whole house during an outage usually fails because cold air constantly enters through walls, windows, and door gaps. Fuel and power are consumed faster than expected, and indoor temperatures still drop.

By choosing one small room and controlling airflow, you reduce heat loss and concentrate resources where people actually are. Sealing that space slows the rate at which heat escapes. Keeping people, supplies, and light in one location reduces movement and exposure to cold.

A heat room is meant for short term use, typically twenty four to forty eight hours. It is not a replacement for permanent heating systems and it is not designed for long term sheltering. To help understand what a heat room is and isn’t, refer the sectins below;

A heat room is:

• A single interior room, usually 100 to 200 square feet

• Easy to seal while still allowing safe ventilation

• Heated using approved, indoor safe methods

• Designed for short term winter outages

A heat room is not:

• A bunker or permanent shelter

• A whole home heating solution

• A place for grills, camp stoves, or open flames

• A set it and forget it setup

How to Construct a Heat Room

Emergency heating failures usually come from four mistakes:

1. People try to heat too much space.
2. They add heat before sealing air leaks.
3. They block ventilation while trying to stop drafts.
4. They use heat sources that are not safe indoors.

The steps below avoid those mistakes by forcing decisions in a practical order. You choose the room first, because that determines how much heat is required. You reduce air leaks next, because heat added before sealing is wasted. Only after the space is controlled do you add heat, lighting, and supplies.

Start with the room itself. Everything that follows depends on that choice.

Last update on 2025-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Step 1: Choose the Room

The room you choose determines how difficult the rest of the setup will be. A good room loses heat slowly and is easy to control while a poorly-chosen room wastes fuel regardless of the heater used.

Interior bedrooms are often the best option. They are usually small, have doors that close fully, and have fewer exterior walls. Lower ceilings and fewer windows reduce heat loss.

Avoid rooms with large glass surfaces, exterior doors, or direct access to garages. If possible, choose a room near a bathroom and water storage so people do not need to move far in the cold.

Before an outage, decide where people will sleep, where any heater would be placed, where ventilation would occur, and where lights and supplies will be stored. These decisions should not be improvised in the dark.

Step 2: Reduce Air Leaks and Shrink the Space

Once the room is selected, the next priority is to stop uncontrolled airflow. Heat loss from moving air is faster than heat loss through walls.

Start with the door. Gaps at the bottom of doors allow cold air to enter continuously. A door sweep works well, but a towel pressed firmly against the threshold is effective in the short term.

Next, address obvious gaps. Electrical outlets on exterior walls allow cold air in. Foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates reduce this significantly. Small cracks around trim can be sealed temporarily with painter’s tape.

Windows lose heat faster than walls. Plastic window insulation film is effective if installed ahead of time. In an emergency, thick blankets or moving pads held in place with clamps reduce heat loss. Curtains and blinds should be closed as an additional layer.

If the room is still larger than necessary, reduce the heated area further. A small tent, canopy, or suspended tarp over the sleeping area reduces the volume of air that needs to stay warm. This improves efficiency but does not replace sealing the room itself.

Step 3: Insulate People Before Adding Heat

Before introducing any heat source, focus on insulating people. Keeping bodies warm is safer and more efficient than trying to keep air warm.

Cold floors pull heat from the body. Cardboard, foam mats, or folded blankets placed under sleeping areas reduce this effect. Even thin layers make a difference.

Clothing matters more than most people expect. Base layers, hats, and dry socks significantly reduce heat loss. Sleeping bags used inside blankets trap heat better than blankets alone.

Moisture increases heat loss. Damp clothing cools the body and creates condensation in the room. Keep a set of dry clothes inside the heat room and change out anything that becomes damp.

Last update on 2025-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Step 4: Use Only Heat Sources That Are Safe Indoors

Only after the space and people are insulated should you add heat.

If stored electrical power is available, electric blankets or heated throws are among the safest options. They apply heat directly to people without affecting air quality. Use them intermittently and rotate use if power capacity is limited.

If combustion heat is used, it must be equipment specifically rated for indoor use. Indoor rated catalytic or low oxygen shutdown propane heaters are designed to operate with controlled ventilation. Manufacturer instructions must be followed exactly. Clearance distances must be maintained, and combustion heaters should never run while people are sleeping.

Many common heating ideas are dangerous indoors. Charcoal grills, camp stoves, gasoline heaters, ovens, and improvised candle heaters produce carbon monoxide or present serious fire risks. These devices cause injuries and deaths every winter and should not be used in a heat room.

A Note on Fuel Planning

Fuel planning prevents false confidence that can lead to underpowered heat rooms. As a reference point, one pound of propane contains about twenty one thousand five hundred BTUs. Running a heater at approximately four thousand BTUs per hour for forty eight hours requires roughly one hundred ninety two thousand BTUs. That equals about nine pounds of propane.

Actual usage is usually lower due to cycling and insulation, but planning conservatively prevents running out of heat earlier than expected.

Step 5: Ventilation and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Any combustion heat introduces risk if airflow is not managed correctly.

Place one battery powered carbon monoxide alarm inside the heat room and a second alarm just outside the room. Test both alarms before use.

Ventilation must follow the heater manufacturer’s instructions. This usually requires a cracked window or designated vent opening. That opening should not be sealed accidentally. A visible reminder near the vent helps prevent mistakes.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone experiences headache, dizziness, or nausea, turn off the heater immediately and move everyone to fresh air.

Last update on 2025-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Step 6: Lighting, Power, and Communication

Lighting reduces accidents and improves morale.

Have more than one light source so a single failure does not leave the room dark. LED lanterns provide general light. Headlamps allow hands free movement and reduce fall risk. Red light modes reduce disruption during sleep.

Power storage should be staged with labeled cables so devices can be charged without searching. Phones should be placed in low power mode to extend battery life.

A weather radio provides information when phone service is unreliable. A written list of emergency contacts is useful if devices fail.

Quiet activities help children cope with confinement and uncertainty. Familiar routines reduce stress and improve cooperation.

Step 7: Water, Food, and Hygiene

Cold conditions increase dehydration risk even when people do not feel thirsty. Plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Food should not require cooking. Warm drinks improve comfort, but water should only be heated using safe methods in appropriate locations.

Basic hygiene supplies reduce illness and manage moisture. Trash bags help keep the space dry and organized.

Step 8: Fire Safety and Ongoing Checks

Fire risk increases in confined spaces.

Maintain a clear zone around any heater so nothing drifts into contact with it. Marking this area visually helps prevent accidents. Keep a small fire extinguisher accessible near the door.

Candles increase fire risk and should be avoided. If one is used, limit it to a single candle in a stable container and never leave it unattended.

Check seals, ventilation openings, and alarms periodically throughout the outage. Conditions change, and small problems become serious quickly in cold environments.

A Well-Built Heat Room Makes It Possible to Keep Warm Without Electricity

A heat room works best when it has been tested before it is needed. A practice run allows you to observe temperature changes, fuel use, condensation, and comfort without pressure.

After every drill, note what worked and what did not. Improvements usually consist of simple fixes: better door sealing, clearer organization, or additional insulation. These small adjustment often make the largest differences.

Stay warm this winter, appoint and furnish your heat room before the winter storms set in. Stay safe!

Need more solutions when the power goes out this winter? You can also check out 10 Ways to Thrive Without Electricity.

 

Guess which nation has the most proven oil reserves?  It isn’t Saudi Arabia, although the Saudis rank a close second.  It isn’t Iran or Iraq either.  In fact, the country with the largest proven oil reserves isn’t even in the Middle East.  Canada has a lot of oil, and so does Russia, but neither one of them tops the list.  At a whopping 303 billion barrels, the nation that currently possesses the most proven oil reserves is actually Venezuela…

Venezuela holds the largest proven crude oil reserves globally, estimated at approximately 303 billion barrels as of 2024. These reserves are predominantly located in the Orinoco Belt, containing extra-heavy crude oil that requires advanced extraction techniques.

Oil is what makes Venezuela important.

We are being told that we must go to war with Venezuela to stop the flow of illegal drugs, but the truth is that the amount of drugs coming into this country from Mexico absolutely dwarfs the amount of drugs coming into this country from Venezuela.

So if stopping the flow of drugs is the priority, why aren’t we going to war with Mexico?

We are also being told that Nicolas Maduro is a tyrant and that the elections in Venezuela are rigged.

Of course these days elections are rigged in lots of countries, and there are far worse tyrants than Maduro out there.

Kim Jong Un is one name that immediately comes to mind.

He is so tyrannical that he makes Nicolas Maduro look like Mother Theresa.

So why aren’t we going to war with North Korea?

If we are going to go to war, there needs to be a really good reason.

On Tuesday, President Trump told the world that the U.S. will be stopping all sanctioned oil tankers from traveling to or from Venezuela…

Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us. The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping. For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela. The Illegal Aliens and Criminals that the Maduro Regime has sent into the United States during the weak and inept Biden Administration, are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace. America will not allow Criminals, Terrorists, or other Countries, to rob, threaten, or harm our Nation and, likewise, will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, IMMEDIATELY. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Did you notice that President Trump repeatedly focused on the subject of oil throughout that Truth Social post?

Imposing a blockade is a very serious step, and a Justice Department memo from 1961 makes this very clear…

A Justice Department memo from 1961, when tensions were running high between the US and Cuba, said the president could institute a blockade of Cuba, but noted “a blockade is a belligerent act which, as a matter of international law, is ordinarily justified only if a state of war, legal or de facto, exists.”

Throughout human history, a naval blockade has always been considered to be an act of war.

Needless to say, the Venezuelans are absolutely furious…

The statement from Venezuela’s government decried the move, saying Trump “seeks to impose, in an absolutely irrational manner, a so-called naval military blockade on Venezuela with the aim of stealing the riches that belong to our Homeland.”

The government reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty and said its ambassador to the United Nations “will immediately proceed to denounce this grave violation of International Law.”

It is not going to be a small job to enforce this blockade.

According to CNBC, there are currently 34 sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean…

At least 34 U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers with a history of carrying Venezuelan oil are currently at sea in the Caribbean, according to a new analysis obtained by CNBC on Wednesday.

And at least 12 of those tankers appear to be filled with crude oil from Venezuela, according to vessel location data from Kpler, a global trade intelligence company.

Are we just going to start grabbing all of them?

The oil that the tanker that the U.S. seized last week was carrying was reportedly worth somewhere between 60 million and 100 million dollars…

The “Skipper” was loaded with an estimated 1.8 million barrels of oil earlier in December before transferring an estimated 200,000 barrels just before its seizure, Reuters reported.

The oil on the tanker is likely worth $60 million to more than $100 million, based on current average oil prices. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for any additional comment on the estimated price tag of the oil but did not immediately receive a reply.

When we seize oil that has been produced by Venezuela, we aren’t just hurting Venezuela.

This is such a critical point.

In 2025, China has been purchasing approximately 76 percent of all the oil that is being exported by the Venezuelans…

Venezuela has produced around 900,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate so far in 2025, accounting for roughly 1% of the total global supply.

Kpler data indicates China buys about 76% of Venezuela’s output.

The Chinese need this oil.

Do you think that they are just going to sit there and let us steal vast amounts of oil that the Chinese economy depends on?

Following the announcement of the blockade, the Chinese accused the U.S. of “bullying” Venezuela…

China has accused the US of “bullying” Venezuela, after Donald Trump ordered a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

In a phone call on Wednesday, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil, that Beijing supported Caracas in defending its sovereignty.

If we keep going down this road, we are going to destroy our relationship with China.

Just imagine how we would feel if some other country started grabbing oil tankers that were bringing desperately needed oil to the United States.

There is not a president in history that would have hesitated to order military action.

But we just expect China to sit there and take it.

If we push the Chinese too far, it could have very serious consequences.

It is easy to imagine a scenario in which the Chinese decide that it is an opportune moment to invade Taiwan while U.S. forces are tied up with a regime change war in Venezuela.

And why in the world would anyone think that another regime change war is in our national interest?

Didn’t we learn anything from our misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq?

2025 has certainly been a year of war, but a war in Venezuela would have the potential to take things to an entirely new level in 2026.

Let’s hope that cooler heads prevail.

Let’s hope that President Trump pulls us back from the brink before it is too late.

But from where I am sitting, it appears that the decisions have already been made.

Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

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