a necessity for trading post shtf

[collector]

I have noticed that it seems alot on here plan on bartering precious metals post shtf and this would be invaluable for this job a precision manual balance, the majority of people I know who deal in precious metals use an electronic balance which are more accurate but can be fragile and if one breaks without all the specialized equipment to fix it, it will become useless, manual balances like these are very hardy and still quite precise, I can easily obtain accurate measurements to the hundreths place when calculating in ounces, this is by conversion of course as any accurate balance will most likely be in grams. I obtained this one for $12.50 at auction and I would advise others to try and seek one out second hand as they are very expensive, my exact one in used condition costs $300 at an online scientific store, with its extra weights it can obtain precise measurements up to 2.61 kg as mentioned on the label. Also look for one with a dial like this one for precise measurements as it is much quicker and less frustrating than a three bar balance. Look around auction listings that mention or hint towards any type of lab equipment as these can easily turn up there. Also I suggest getting one because they are also very fun to use.

[Echo2]

I have a triple beam I found at a flea market....it's at the BOL in a locker.....I found some calibrating weights....

[Snow Walker]

I can see certain items like precious metals being a good trading tool, but in reality I think everyday items like medical supplies, water, food, fuel, weapons, skills, clothing etc...will have even more bartering power if things get bad enough.

[TennOutdoors]

starting a trading post and Inn post collapse is something I have thought about. but to be honest I wouldnt except any precious metals as trade for anything.

with out community establishing trade weights and laws to back up an exchange its worthless. you cant eat it, it cant cure you of anything. you can throw it at people and club them with larger chunks. but thats about it.

consider a scenerio like a plague that kills off, conservatively 55 percent of the Population here in the US. Gold, Silver, Platinum, Diamonds, and all the rest are laying around. they arent rare, you can find the stuff in just about every house.

the scarcity of precious metals like gold and Jewels like diamonds are manipulated. the majority is stored somewhere and released in controled lots to keep supply low and demand high.

only an established community with an armed force and a strong form of government will be able to establish a trade medium thats not usable or edible.

For century's things like spices were used as trade mediums. hence sayings like " worth its weight in Salt" " curry, was a big one for three centurys, in Europe and middle east. each type of curry mixture recipe was guarded then like we Guard Nuclear weapons now.

anything that requires precision machining in a world with out power will be worth its weight in salt. because it cant be replaced till the knowledge and infrastructure is put back into operation.

now in a short term SHTF situation, Precious metals might be okay, but most people will just shrug.. " sorry, Im not trading ten pounds of food for a gold watch and five gold coins. I need ten rolls of TP and five hundred rounds of .22 or no deal"

Now if some sort of trade association starts up that covers a wide geographic area. the traders will already have a glut of product and can and most likely will trade for precious metals and from there Precious metal trading will start to become more common.

in an earth scratching subsistence level life, bartering with product and food will be the norm.

anyway historically thats the way its been.

[Echo2]

For those of you who have read "Patriots".....the barter fair in the book kind of brings it home....when you read about the guy wanting to trade a brand new Corvette for any type of gun (IIRC).....

Imagine what a bar of soap would be valued at...

pound os salt....

any spices....

books on primitive skills....

bullets....

fire makers of all sorts.....

and the list goes on and on....

[collector]

well the measurement could then be applied to medicines or anything else, just whatever valuable substance that might be traded in small quantities, I agree that in alot of scenarios it would come around to precious metals becoming worthless in the face of just surviving but I was imagining more of a situation where a form of order is brought but there is no currency in which case precious metals would probably be useful for currency, I don't really have that big a supply of silver right now i pick it up whenever I see it too cheap cause I just like it but I have been stockpilling equipment as the main trading good, I just suggested the scale because it is excellent for measuring small amounts of substances.

[maric]

I did read Patriots, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Its one of my favorite books. For me, personally, we cant afford to set aside, and purchase to that extent- BUT, it was a fantastic read!
As for the precious metals, and such. I think eventually, they could be used for barter. I would think initially, people would be more concerned with items from the list above. Not to forget, feminine products, diapers, reloading needs and tin foil (for all my hats).. lol.. So, yes, I think once things were more established.. I mean If needed, honestly, Id take Kotex over a Corvette, IF TSHTF.... Just saying fellas..

[Echo2]

I did read Patriots, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Its one of my favorite books. For me, personally, we cant afford to set aside, and purchase to that extent- BUT, it was a fantastic read!

That's primarily how we started our preps....and it evolved from there.

[TennOutdoors]

Collector, I agree scales can be quite useful. for a variety of things.

[Domdabears]

For those of you who have read "Patriots".....the barter fair in the book kind of brings it home....when you read about the guy wanting to trade a brand new Corvette for any type of gun (IIRC).....

Imagine what a bar of soap would be valued at...

pound os salt....

any spices....

books on primitive skills....

bullets....

fire makers of all sorts.....

and the list goes on and on....

Is this the book you're talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Patriots-Survi...7320230&sr=8-1
Looks really good.

[Echo2]

Is this the book you're talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Patriots-Survi...7320230&sr=8-1
Looks really good.

Yes....essentially it is a story of folks that planned for a EOTWAWKI event.

If you want to have the hell scared out of you....read "One Second After"....it's about folks that planned for nothing.....*shivers*

[Domdabears]

Yes....essentially it is a story of folks that planned for a EOTWAWKI event.

If you want to have the hell scared out of you....read "One Second After"....it's about folks that planned for nothing.....*shivers*

I wish they made movies on these books

[Echo2]

If you have a communte to and from work...of any time....try audio books....I listen to music at home....audio books in the car.

[cbprice797]

Scales could be useful definitely. However, gems will not be a very good medium of exchange. They do not have a set value. The value of a precious jewel is determined by the quality of the jewel, the size of the jewel, the color of the jewel, the number of inclusions inside the jewel, and a variety of other factors. So, unless you are an expert in gemology how can you tell what the value of the jewel/gem is? If you aren't an expert can you trust someone else to give an honest appraisal? How do you know that the diamond you are about to take in trade for some of your precious preps is not just a fake diamond or other jewel/gem. So jewels/gems will not as a medium of exchange in a SHTF situation.

[Echo2]

Scales could be useful definitely. However, gems will not be a very good medium of exchange. They do not have a set value. The value of a precious jewel is determined by the quality of the jewel, the size of the jewel, the color of the jewel, the number of inclusions inside the jewel, and a variety of other factors. So, unless you are an expert in gemology how can you tell what the value of the jewel/gem is? If you aren't an expert can you trust someone else to give an honest appraisal? How do you know that the diamond you are about to take in trade for some of your precious preps is not just a fake diamond or other jewel/gem. So jewels/gems will not as a medium of exchange in a SHTF situation.

My buddy at the pawn shop just chucks most the gem stones from jewlery sold as scrap gold......not worth anything until you get to 1/2+ karat....and even then....quality is everything.....he said he can't tell....just saves the big ones for the guy who stops buy to appraise jewlery....and it's rare he gets excited about gems.