Jim Cobb
@jimcobb.bsky.social
Freelance writer and editor specializing in the prepper niche. Editor in Chief of Backwoods Survival Guide magazine. Author of about a dozen books. Husband and father. Fan of 80s music and movies, post-apocalyptic fiction, and the outdoors.
Pinned
Jim Cobb
@jimcobb.bsky.social
· Nov 28
If you're looking for practical, down to earth, realistic information about #prepping, free of politics, scare tactics, and bullshit, that's kind of my schtick.
Amazon - amzn.to/3Z5QU8B
Podcast - howtosurvive2025.com
#prepper #preppers #survival #shtf
Amazon - amzn.to/3Z5QU8B
Podcast - howtosurvive2025.com
#prepper #preppers #survival #shtf
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 3
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 3
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 3
Hey everyone, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week.
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 3
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 3
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
While they can be similar, there are distinct differences between a Bug Out Bag (BOB) and a Get Home Bag (GHB).
gatdaily.com/articles/bug...
gatdaily.com/articles/bug...
Bug-Out Bag vs. Get-Home Bag – Are They Really That Different?
There are more than a few differences between a traditional bug-out bag and a traditional get-home bag, and you might need both of them.
gatdaily.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:50 PM
While they can be similar, there are distinct differences between a Bug Out Bag (BOB) and a Get Home Bag (GHB).
gatdaily.com/articles/bug...
gatdaily.com/articles/bug...
My review of the Redhawk from Tactile Knife Co. went live today. It’s an outstanding option for a pocket carry fixed blade.
skillsetmag.com/article/tact...
skillsetmag.com/article/tact...
The Best Damn EDC Knife: Taylor Martin and Tactile Knife Redhawk Collab
In many ways, the Tactile Knife Redhawk is the epitome of an EDC fixed blade. It’s practical, easy to carry, and comfortable to use.
skillsetmag.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:59 PM
My review of the Redhawk from Tactile Knife Co. went live today. It’s an outstanding option for a pocket carry fixed blade.
skillsetmag.com/article/tact...
skillsetmag.com/article/tact...
There’s an online rumor that the Earth is going to lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026. Allegedly NASA has been working on Project Anchor to figure out how to handle it.
People believing and sharing bullshit like this is why we can’t have nice things.
People believing and sharing bullshit like this is why we can’t have nice things.
January 14, 2026 at 8:23 PM
There’s an online rumor that the Earth is going to lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026. Allegedly NASA has been working on Project Anchor to figure out how to handle it.
People believing and sharing bullshit like this is why we can’t have nice things.
People believing and sharing bullshit like this is why we can’t have nice things.
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 2
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 2
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 2
Hey folks, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week.
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 2
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 2
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
If you have a blog, YouTube channel, or similar outlet and you’re interested in reviewing the 2nd edition of Prepper’s Home Defense, please drop me a line. The book comes out next month.
www.amazon.com/Preppers-Lon...
www.amazon.com/Preppers-Lon...
Prepper's Long-Term Survival: Prepper's Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary
Prepper's Long-Term Survival: Prepper's Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary [Cobb, Jim] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Prepper's Long-Term Survival: Prepper's Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary
www.amazon.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
If you have a blog, YouTube channel, or similar outlet and you’re interested in reviewing the 2nd edition of Prepper’s Home Defense, please drop me a line. The book comes out next month.
www.amazon.com/Preppers-Lon...
www.amazon.com/Preppers-Lon...
There are three components to the evacuation equation.
Destination + Route Planning + Kit = Success.
If you’re missing one of those elements, you’re going to struggle.
Destination + Route Planning + Kit = Success.
If you’re missing one of those elements, you’re going to struggle.
January 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
There are three components to the evacuation equation.
Destination + Route Planning + Kit = Success.
If you’re missing one of those elements, you’re going to struggle.
Destination + Route Planning + Kit = Success.
If you’re missing one of those elements, you’re going to struggle.
Great little care package from my friends at Tuff Possum Gear!
January 9, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Great little care package from my friends at Tuff Possum Gear!
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 1
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 1
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 1
Hey folks, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week.
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Here's this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 1
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 13, Issue 1
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
Edit an anthology they said. It’ll be fun they said.
My kidney stone was a more enjoyable experience than this project. Zero stars, do not recommend.
[To be clear, this has zero to do with contributors, who have all been awesome. It’s behind-the-scenes stuff that’s been an absolute nightmare.]
My kidney stone was a more enjoyable experience than this project. Zero stars, do not recommend.
[To be clear, this has zero to do with contributors, who have all been awesome. It’s behind-the-scenes stuff that’s been an absolute nightmare.]
January 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Edit an anthology they said. It’ll be fun they said.
My kidney stone was a more enjoyable experience than this project. Zero stars, do not recommend.
[To be clear, this has zero to do with contributors, who have all been awesome. It’s behind-the-scenes stuff that’s been an absolute nightmare.]
My kidney stone was a more enjoyable experience than this project. Zero stars, do not recommend.
[To be clear, this has zero to do with contributors, who have all been awesome. It’s behind-the-scenes stuff that’s been an absolute nightmare.]
My profile piece on Tuff Possum Gear went live today at Skillset Magazine. skillsetmag.com/article/chec...
Checking Out Tuff Possum Gear
See why outdoor enthusiasts trust Tuff Possum Gear and get all your gear and review questions answered here.
skillsetmag.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:29 PM
My profile piece on Tuff Possum Gear went live today at Skillset Magazine. skillsetmag.com/article/chec...
There is a distinct subset of the online #prepper community that uses their alleged interest in disaster planning to excuse all manner of illegal behavior, from copyright theft to shoplifting, even extending to crimes causing injuries and such.
We refer to these people as “pieces of shit.”
We refer to these people as “pieces of shit.”
January 6, 2026 at 4:37 AM
There is a distinct subset of the online #prepper community that uses their alleged interest in disaster planning to excuse all manner of illegal behavior, from copyright theft to shoplifting, even extending to crimes causing injuries and such.
We refer to these people as “pieces of shit.”
We refer to these people as “pieces of shit.”
Food for thought for the writers. The less work you make for the editor, the more work the editor is likely to give you.
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Food for thought for the writers. The less work you make for the editor, the more work the editor is likely to give you.
This may be the most "Monday" of Mondays of the entire year, but I'm still looking forward to hitting the ground running today. Hoping to scratch several things from my work To Do list now that schedules are more or less back to normal.
January 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
This may be the most "Monday" of Mondays of the entire year, but I'm still looking forward to hitting the ground running today. Hoping to scratch several things from my work To Do list now that schedules are more or less back to normal.
Seen on Facebook -- AI is like the Temu version of thinking.
January 3, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Seen on Facebook -- AI is like the Temu version of thinking.
I was reminded today of the time a “sovereign citizen” came into my office to hire me to serve papers for a lawsuit he’d just filed. When I asked him how he was able to use a court system that he had declared himself exempt from, I think his brain short-circuited.
January 3, 2026 at 5:04 PM
I was reminded today of the time a “sovereign citizen” came into my office to hire me to serve papers for a lawsuit he’d just filed. When I asked him how he was able to use a court system that he had declared himself exempt from, I think his brain short-circuited.
Here's the last newsletter of 2025.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 52
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 52
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 52
It's the last newsletter of 2025, check it out!
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Here's the last newsletter of 2025.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 52
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 52
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Pack Mule from Kershaw Knives is one of the most comfortable blades I've used. I reviewed it recently for GearJunkie.
gearjunkie.com/knives/kersh...
gearjunkie.com/knives/kersh...
Perfect Ergonomics (At a Price): Kershaw Knives Pack Mule Review
The latest fixed blade from Kershaw Knives ticks an awful lot of boxes on the field knife wishlist.
gearjunkie.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The Pack Mule from Kershaw Knives is one of the most comfortable blades I've used. I reviewed it recently for GearJunkie.
gearjunkie.com/knives/kersh...
gearjunkie.com/knives/kersh...
A few reasons why Backwoods Survival Guide is awesome:
1) It's nearly 30% thicker than competing titles on the shelf.
2) Zero ads, all content.
3) Articles are written by pros who live this lifestyle and who know how to teach the skills.
1) It's nearly 30% thicker than competing titles on the shelf.
2) Zero ads, all content.
3) Articles are written by pros who live this lifestyle and who know how to teach the skills.
December 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A few reasons why Backwoods Survival Guide is awesome:
1) It's nearly 30% thicker than competing titles on the shelf.
2) Zero ads, all content.
3) Articles are written by pros who live this lifestyle and who know how to teach the skills.
1) It's nearly 30% thicker than competing titles on the shelf.
2) Zero ads, all content.
3) Articles are written by pros who live this lifestyle and who know how to teach the skills.
Here is this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 51
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 51
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 51
Hey folks, thanks for checking out the newsletter this week.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Here is this week's newsletter.
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 51
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
The Survival Weekly Dispatch - Volume 12, Issue 51
open.substack.com/pub/jimcobb/...
If you're fuzzy on the differences between various steels commonly used by knife makers, here's a great primer to help.
skillsetmag.com/article/knif...
skillsetmag.com/article/knif...
Knives 101: Knife Steels, Their Attributes, and Their Intent
Not all knives are created equal, and understanding the different steels will help you avoid buying an underperforming knife.
skillsetmag.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
If you're fuzzy on the differences between various steels commonly used by knife makers, here's a great primer to help.
skillsetmag.com/article/knif...
skillsetmag.com/article/knif...
The CRKT Redemption is a large and interesting folding knife. It took a bit for me to warm up to it, but once it clicked, we've been thick as thieves.
skillsetmag.com/article/crkt...
skillsetmag.com/article/crkt...
Aces and Eights: Ken Onion’s New CRKT Design, the Redemption is a Winning Hand
CRKT has collaborated with Onion on several projects, the latest of which is the production model that became the Redemption.
skillsetmag.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The CRKT Redemption is a large and interesting folding knife. It took a bit for me to warm up to it, but once it clicked, we've been thick as thieves.
skillsetmag.com/article/crkt...
skillsetmag.com/article/crkt...
The “use your shit” bros in the knife world crack me up. I have lots of daggers. What precisely do you feel I should be using them to do? I’ll never understand why so many guys get worked up about how others spend money.
December 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The “use your shit” bros in the knife world crack me up. I have lots of daggers. What precisely do you feel I should be using them to do? I’ll never understand why so many guys get worked up about how others spend money.
Words are tools and should be treated as such. If your only tool is a hammer, you’ll be able to get some work done but you’ll find yourself struggling an awful lot. Take time to expand the toolbox and learn how to use precision equipment. You’ll get more work done with less effort in the long run.
December 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Words are tools and should be treated as such. If your only tool is a hammer, you’ll be able to get some work done but you’ll find yourself struggling an awful lot. Take time to expand the toolbox and learn how to use precision equipment. You’ll get more work done with less effort in the long run.