Letter Re: Junk Shop Survival Tools

James,
I read Nuclear War Survival Skills [by Cresson Kearney) several years back and have read and re-read the book on a regular basis. In fact, along with your novel "Patriots" (acquired 5 months back) I have loaned out and gifted copies of each to family. All were 'struck'.

After realizing the need for expedient and planned shelter, but lacking the real buying power that I desired, I set about securing many of the hand tools that I had previously overlooked, i.e. tools that were essential according to Cresson: Picks, Shovels, etc.

Lowes and other stores didn't stock old world quality digging/hand tools to suit me. My late Dad had 'quality' picks on the family farm. Those belong to the farm. Since I live south of Kentucky and north of Alabama, I regularly hit every 'junk' shop around the state. With less than a 10 dollar outlay, I purchased several 8 lb. maul heads and three pick heads. Two of the pick heads were standard size; however one of them was 1/3 the size. The [thickness of ] steel in the picks seems over-built compared to 'new' production types. I purchased duplicate hand turned hickory handles. These are easily found in this part of the country at flea markets. I would urge many of the readers to recognize the real world need for these old world tools. One never knows when 'ground hog day' may arrive. - Matt