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Goodbye 2017, Welcome 2018!

Happy New Years Eve All!

The work-up to the end of 2017 has been both busy and involved.

As 2017 has presented many challenges and rewards, I look to the future and what 2018 will bring.

We have many great things on-tap this coming year.  Workshops, cooperations and many informative efforts for everyone to benefit from.

As we move into the new year, we will be rolling out a lot of exciting things.

I’d like to thank everyone who has read, followed and supported the efforts here at True North Tradecraft this inaugural year and together, we can make 2018 even better.

Thank you!

Stay safe, stay crafty.

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Delta 2 Alpha – The Accent Series

The Accent Series.

By Delta 2 Alpha Design

The Accent Series. Delta 2 Alpha Design.

A little while ago I received a mail call containing a sample of the Accent Series from Delta2Alpha Design.  To read my review of the previous generation of tools, go here.

Happiness in a parcel!

The Accent Series is their newest offering of upgraded versions of The MARK, The LOLLY and The MiK.

The MARK, in colours…

The new tools are delivered in three colours (crimson, blaze orange or day-glow green), clad in a robust carbon fibre skin.

Durable polymer clad in carbon fibre.

They are all incredibly versatile and even more durable than their previous versions.  I found the carbon fibre skin to be more resistant to scratches and abrasions than the earlier version of polymer tools.

The Lolly – polymer last-ditch tool. Earlier version.
Accent version of the Lolly.
I have used the Lolly for opening paint cans when I find myself without a screwdriver. It’s handy to carry in my 5th jeans pocket.

On a recent visit to Ottawa, I found myself in a Tim Hortons for a morning coffee.  The floor was covered in melt and slushy runoff from the recent snow.  Thankfully, I had my Accent Series MARK in my bag (perfect for non-permissive environments like government buildings) and ensured my bag and its contents were well out of he muck.

No dirty, wet Tim Hortons floor for me and my stuff!

The MiK can be used as the MARK can, but with smaller applications.  I do like how it can hold up your phone, hang your bag (or purse) or coat – perfect for bathrooms.  It can also easily fit into the fifth pocket of your jeans for concealment and easy access.

The MiK. Small but sturdy.

 

From the Delta 2 Alpha website:

TheMARK: Offers a convenient way to keep your jacket or bag off of the floor bathrooms when traveling (or everyday life) when there isn’t a hook. It can also be used as a tablet stand.

TheMiK Fits conveniently on your keys, and is used a hands free way to prop up your phone. This comes in handy whether you are trying to do a video chat, or just kill sometime watching cat videos (No Judgement).

TheLolly: Can go right next to TheMiK on your keychain. TheLolly is a light duty pocket scraper, and prybar. It has be referred to as a “Fingernail Saver”. It also offers a ¼” bit driver and the key ring slot can be used to drive the Leatherman multi-tool brand bits.

*Each package includes one (1) of TheMARKTheMiK, and TheLolly; They are sold as matched sets*

All things considered, I feel that Delta 2 Alpha scored a big win with improving an already-sturdy and reliable design with their Accent Series of polymer tools.  I’m very happy with them and equip myself with at least one on a daily basis as they are lightweight, practical and come in handy in a variety of ways.

You can order yours here on their website.

Till next time, stay crafty.

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Beard Products for Bearded Operators

Fine beard products.

Beard Products for Bearded Operators

I’ve always had a hard time taming the wild in my beard.  I’ve tried, for many years, to find a product that does the following:

  • moisturizes
  • makes the hair softer and more manageable
  • adds a healthy shine
  • has an appealing scent
  • is easy to use and travel with (no strange looking creams and goos)
  • is produced locally (best option) or ethically abroad
  • and isn’t ridiculously expensive.

Over these past many months, I have made an effort to try several options that I would hope meet these criteria and would do what I’m looking for.

First off, my beard is a thick wire brush with swirls.  This makes the dynamics of beard maintenance difficult from the start.

I used a few creams starting off to moisturize the beard, but found these mostly ineffective.

I next moved to lotions.  I tried a decent product (from Comrades Barber Shop) and it was alright, but not fantastic.  I think the product itself is decent, but I feel that it doest penetrate my beard quickly enough and bring softness throughout the day.  This is just how my beard worked with it.

After those, I have landed on beard oil.  For my beard, it seems to be the best choice.

There have been 3 brands I’ve tried in this recent run that I have liked.

The first of these, Tusk & Fin (see this link for more info) , was bought at the Village Juicery on College St. in downtown Toronto.

Tusk and Fin beard oil.

It comes in a nice, small glass bottle with a dropper.  The scent is a mix of menthol and lavender.  Quite nice, actually.  The oil itself is of a higher viscosity (which is nice) and is readily absorbed.  The result meets expectations on all the levels, but is a bit on the pricey side ($30 a bottle) but lasts well under daily use and seals well.

Second, is Red & Brothers Beard Company.   They are a new Canadian company and despite their initial difficulty with communications (they had some technical problems with their messaging system when I was trying to place my order – now fixed) they quickly addressed it, connected with me directly and took care of it.  I was very happy with the service I received and ordered a bunch of their stuff to try out.

Great shipment in from Red & Bros.

Their beard balm was good for sculpting, but for my beard, which has difficult swirls, it didn’t work for me.  Their “moustache stick” (like Chapstick for your moustache) works pretty well for taming wild fliers) and is small and handy.  The beard bar, a soap bar for your beard which doesn’t strip away the oils from your man-mane, also works very well for morning and evening face washing.

The main product, their beard oil, is really nice.  I find it to be the right amount of everything.  Viscosity, scent, effect on the beard, price ($ per bottle) and it’s also a new Canadian company from the Ottawa area.  I like to support Canadian whenever I can.  That said, I have one big issue with Red & Bros beard oil.

Beard oil, moustache stick and beard bar.

The bottle.  More specifically, the cap and dropper insert.  Once opened, I found that screwing the cap back on doesn’t seal very well and can leak.  (This may be this specific bottle but I’ll only know when I open the next one).  Also, the drop insert (not a medicine-dropper style like the others) takes forever to get even a few drops of oil out of the bottle.  I grabbed a needle-nose plier and pulled it out because it was too frustrating.  I’ve emailed them about it as they were so good in their communication with me so if it’s a manufacturing issue, and they address it, it’d really be a great product all-round.

Beard balm. Very nice product but a little too involved to use for me.

Third, I’ve come across Beards and Beavers.  They are a Toronto-based company and their products are interestingly marketed.  For the cost ($50/3 bottles = $16.67 ea) they are a good deal.  The dropper-tops are user-friendly and the scents work well for me.  The formulation of oil and other ingredients make my beard smooth, soft and feel great.  The customer service is great too.

Great product. Great value. Personalized message. Cool.

I had a technical issue placing my order and after contacting them, I received a reply thanking me for bringing it to their attention and that it had been fixed.   I immediately placed my order and it arrived quickly with a really nice, personalized note in the box thanking me for my purchase.  I chose “Fresh Mofo” and “Green Envy” for my scents and they threw in “Funk’d” as the third surprise scent.

Cool Stamp.
Made in Canada. Nice.

I’m happy with how they smell and how they make my beard much more manageable.

In all, I’m an adherent to beard oil for beard maintenance over the lotions, potions, creams or what have you.  Though it is very much a subjective and personal preference depending on what works best for your particular beard, I would recommend taking a look at Tusk & Fin, Red & Bros and Beards and Beavers for your beard care needs.  They are all great products and work well to meet the six points listed at the beginning.  Check them out.

Buy Canadian and find something to maintain your operator man-mane.

Contributing factors to a well-managed beard.

Stay crafty & keep looking (and being) dangerous.