Together, we succeed…
Below is a listing of friends of True North Tradecraft – companies who are mutually supportive of us and with whom we share common values (in no particular order). Many of these are Veteran-owned and operated. Many are Canadian. Either way, they strive for excellence and professionalism. Check them out and tell them True North Tradecraft sent you!
The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur
The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur and the #BUYVETERANCA program support transitioning military veterans who wish to pursue starting their own business in their post-service lives through business boot camps and mentorships. Support veterans and the program here: https://www.princesoperationentrepreneur.ca/canadian-veteran-business-directory
Greyman Personal Security Conference
Greyman is Canada’s premier personal security live training event.
At Greyman, you will find an all-star line up of instructors from a range of diverse backgrounds, all brought in to share with you an eclectic mix of their rare skill sets and knowledge gleaned from their real-world experience. Visit http://greymansecurity.com to sign up today!
Delta 2 Alpha Design
The people involved with Delta 2 Alpha have backgrounds in machining, manufacturing, engineering, textiles, sewing, pattern drafting, trades work, martial arts and combatives, military, and emergency services. Most importantly we are end users of our designs. This means we are committed making products we are proud of and products that don’t suck. We don’t have an interest in fixing what isn’t broken or in putting a new knife out every 6 months just because. Cutting edge gear available at https://delta2alpha.com
4tac5.com
4tac5 provides advanced training and consultancy services for select clients that are prone to abduction, kidnap, restraint and detention during conditions of armed conflict, civil unrest or operations other than war. This highly effective methodology is available to verified Law Enforcement and Military personnel only. Read more about them here: http://www.4tac5.com
Covert Instruments
The leading edge in entry tools, Covert Instruments is a disruptive force in the fields of covert entry and locksport. Because our principals are experienced leaders in these fields, we are in a unique position to develop and produce tools that will be appreciated by both professionals and hobbyists alike. Our philosophy is a simple one: create tools that are a cut above their peers in conception, production, and function. We believe in superior functionality, concealable design, and multiple uses. Founded by Robert Pingor of the CORE Group and @LockPickingLawyer. It doesn’t get better than this. https://covertinstruments.com
WSC Survival School
David ‘The Survivorguy’ Arama, has been teaching and leading outdoor programs for more than 30 years at community colleges (e.g.. Humber, Seneca, Mohawk, Niagara, Conestoga), universities (McMaster, U of Guelph), numerous district school boards, and city Parks and Recreation departments (e.g., Vaughan, Markham, and Milton). He was ‘Survivorman’ Les Stroud’s first survival instructor back in the day. If you want to learn no-nonsene wilderness survival which can save your life, look no further and sign up for one of David’s courses at http://wscsurvivalschool.com
Hard Case Survival
Hard Case is an American veteran-owned and operated survival gear company. They produce high-quality gear for real-world use which we are proud to stock and make available to the Canadian market. Visit them at https://www.hardcasesurvival.com
Blue Line: Canada’s Law Enforcement ‘zine
Canada’s only independent law enforcement magazine, has no leaning toward management nor unions and no political preferences. This unbiased approach is why Blue Line is read by the full spectrum of the law enforcement community, from police chiefs, customs officers, military, local, municipal, provincial and Indigenous police, federal and provincial corrections officers, RCMP and many more. Our in-house staff and guest writers work hard to keep readers on the leading edge of information, whether it be case law, training issues or technology trends. Visit them at https://www.blueline.ca
The Diamond Arrow Group
Our mission is helping women to have confidence moving forward to live life on their own terms. Let us help you feel empowered and confident in your instincts so you can live life on your terms! We are proud to partner with DAG with the aim of empowering women with the skills, knowledge and tools to live life without fear and have the ability to protect themselves from violence. Visit them at https://thediamondarrowgroup.com
Maple Syrup Mafia
Maple Syrup Mafia is a loose collective of Canadian-based professionals in personal protection, security and tradecraft who take their skillsets seriously but not themselves. For cool apparel and accessories, visit https://maple-syrup-mafia.ca .
District Combatives
Is your training providing full value commensurate with its effort and expense? If it’s not (and it likely isn’t) then get yourself to District Combatives and learn from Ben. Straight-forward, effective and grounded in real-world experience and realities, you will learn much about violence mitigation and self-protection. Visit https://www.districtcombatives.com to learn more and HERE on Instagram.
Okichitaw Indigenous Martial Arts
Okichitaw is a unique, powerful, practical combat art system that uses basic but aggressive combat movements that were employed specifically throughout Plains Indigenous Warfare. Based on Indigenous Plains combat techniques and tactics, this concurrent version of the combat art embodies the spirit of the Plains Warrior fighting and warfare applications through the utilization with traditional weapons. Our good friend, Chief Master Instructor George Lepine has over 40 years of martial arts and fitness training experience. Not only has he structured and methodized Okichitaw, but has also achieved high ranks in several other martial arts as well. You can learn more about Okichitaw at http://www.okichitaw.com and on INSTAGRAM HERE.
International Tactical Training Association
We seek to transform, keep you ahead of the curve, and one step ahead with advanced tactical and technical programs of instruction. Semper in Via. Publishers of Tactical Solutions Magazine. Based in Chicago, IL. Visit them at https://ittaonline.org
Gray Fox Strategic
Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Gray Fox Strategic Inc. is an all in one Kydex provider who strives to be on the cutting edge of the industry; from holsters, pouches and knife sheaths, to specialized Kydex solutions. They work with clients to provide them with the best product possible. They make amazing Kydex. Period. Check them out at https://grayfoxstrategic.ca
Arrowhead Coffee Company
We love coffee and we love supporting other veteran-owned businesses. Arrowhead Coffee Company is a Canadian SOF Veteran Owned and Operated enterprise, inspired while on deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces. They bring you premium Canadian roasted coffee right to your door. Their mission isn’t just great coffee, but it’s to give back to the greater Sheepdog community incl. but not limited to Veteran, Law Enforcement and Emergency services. Shop at https://arrowhead.coffee
Special Projects Community
http://specialprojectscommunity.com & https://www.instagram.com/specialprojectscommunity/
Those who know, know. Cutting-edge community of security professionals sharing their knowledge.
Educated Beards
Canadian Veteran-owned, Educated Beards is your premier destination for luxury, holistic beard care and grooming essentials. If you have a beard and you’re not using their products, you’re doing yourself a disservice. I use their products daily and can’t say enough good about them and the amazing people behind them. Check out their top-quality products at https://educatedbeards.ca and on Instagram HERE
Aurelius Food Company
Canadian veteran-owned in Ottawa, ON. Since 2016 they have been importing and sourcing products and catering to Ottawa’s most elite chefs and critical foodies. Their authentic, small batch and artisanal products have garnered a strong reputation within those circles. They also offer an amazing quantity of flavoured olive oils and balsamic vinegars which will surely keep you coming back for more. I love cooking with their products and eating them even more. See their scrumptious offerings at https://aureliusfoodco.com
S & J Hardware
S&J Hardware has been in the manufacturing business for over 15 years now in Belleville, Ontario Canada. We are a 100% Canadian operation, utilizing Canadian partners in design, manufacturing and finishing of all of our products. They are also a stocking partner – you can find many pieces of gear from True North Tradecraft on their shelves.
They are the number one manufacturer of shotgun parts in Canada. We make aftermarket upgrade shotgun parts for several brands of shotguns. Their motto “Combat Competition Defence” is rooted in their commitment to their customers. Over the years their products have made their way into the lives of customers on the job, at play and on their worst days, defending their lives and loved ones.
If your pursuit is perfection, they can help you get there. Visit them in Belleville or at https://www.sjhardware.com
Kennedy Tactical Concepts
TJ Kennedy teaches defensive tactics in an effort to educate and train people to effectively deal with violence. Look for TJ and I delivering joint workshops in the post-COVID world at http://kennedytactical.ca
Atlantic Avenue Athletic Club
Atlantic Avenue Athletic Club is focused on providing expert instruction and physical training for people of all fitness levels. Their training is varied but never random, and performed with intensity, though never at the expense of form or safety. They offer the best group Strength & Conditioning classes 6 days a week and private training by appointment. This is the real deal. If you’re in Toronto, and you want to get STRONG and CAPABLE, visit them here: https://www.atlanticavenueathleticclub.com
FLC Knives
FLC (Fat Lazy Cat Knives) has a focus on weapon retention tools (aka “Get Off Me Tools”). They use a data-driven approach to equip you with solutions that increase your survivability and positive outcomes. Your success is their mission!
Check out their products at https://www.fatlazycatknives.com and @flc_knives
Tactikey
Tactical and Practical
Safety is a state of mind. Confident prepared citizens make poor targets. Carrying the Tactikey is a constant reminder to always remain vigilant and situationally aware.
We designed the Tactikey self defense keychain to meet a laundry list of specifications. So it would not just look good in marketing material but actually function flawlessly in real life situations. This list of features encompass our Mission. They are one in the same.
See their products on our website and at https://tactikey.com and @tactikey
Ed’s Manifesto
For over a decade Ed Calderon worked in the fields of counter narcotics, organized crime investigation, and public safety in the northern-border region of Mexico. During this period he also coordinated and worked executive protection details for high-level government officials and visiting dignitaries — often in some of the most dangerous parts of the country.
To learn from Ed, find him at https://www.edsmanifesto.com/index
Skypirate Actual
From our good friend Marcus Singletary, currently living in Ft. Bragg, NC. I work in the US Army as an 11B (infantryman) Infantry Squad Leader. During my downtime I’ve taught lockpicking, bypassing, and other forms of covert and overt entry. I picked up lockpicking a couple of years ago just as a hobby until I saw how useful the skill could be and how it could be applied to my job.
Once I realized how lockpicking can be utilized on the job, and in everyday life, I dived into lockpicking and bypassing spending hours a day picking, researching, developing ways to train to make it applicable in real-life scenarios, with help from great friends that I still work with to this day. Now, I spend time creating content under the IG handle Skypirate_actual. I believe in using what knowledge I have to help the everyday citizen. Learning this skillset will make you question everything you think you understood about physical security. Bypassing and lockpicking will make you look at obstacles in a different light. If you’re not following @skypirate_actual , you should be.
Echo ON / Echo Off
(Bio for our good friend William Echo (a pseudonym) from Recoil Off-Grid: William Echo has 14 years of combined experience in IT security, law enforcement, close protection, and corporate security operations. He has served various roles, ranging from training officer, EMT, communications chief, red team leader, infrastructure protection, anti-money laundering investigations, and intelligence gathering. With both parents in the IT industry and an aptitude for technology, that’s the direction he headed. After college, a family friend who was former law enforcement introduced him to a volunteer program that the local police department had available. Not long afterward, he ditched IT and used his police department contacts to land a job doing security work for a large financial firm, including performing infrastructure and facility protection during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After spending a few years in law enforcement, he returned to corporate security/protection and has been there ever since.
You can follow Echo on Instagram HERE if you don’t already. You should.
Tradecraft Guide – Det V Cader
Our friend John, former covert operative and current nomad, curates a fantastic and informative site on tradecraft and security HERE. You can sign up for access to higher-level info and load yourself up on in-progress skills used abroad on a daily basis. Follow him on Instagram HERE.
Recoil Offgrid Magazine
One of the few publications we read regularly is Recoil Offgrid. They cover a wide range of topics which integrate well into our training and subject matter with contributions from leaders in their fields. We have even contributed. You can subscribe to print and electronic versions and Canadians can have their subscriptions sent to their door! (It’s a treat when mine arrives). Check out their amazing content HERE and follow them on their Instagram page HERE. Keep your knowledge and skills sharp with Recoil Offgrid.
The Way of Tracking
A jewel of a site dedicated to tracking AND man tracking. Expert Tracker Kyt Lyn Walken is an Italian expert tracker and instructor who runs The Way of Tracking. She offers in-person training, online content and so much more insight on her social media pages. Check out the website HERE and learn more about this very useful skill.
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