The other week, True North Tradecraft, along with Eclectic Survival Systems, had the distinct honour of delivering a robust covert (non-destructive) entry class to Emergency Response Team (ERT) members of RCMP “H” Division and the Halifax Police Service.
This group of professionals spent two days with us, learning everything from next-level physical security to hands-on entry methodologies using the latest gear.
We even made a slight nuisance of ourselves when practicing (all approved, of course).
All in all, a fantastic time with much learned by all.
If your Unit or Team would like to learn these skills, contact us at info@truenorthtradecraft.ca for a quote.
We will be atBooth # 907 (Approximately bottom-centre. See floor plan below).
We will be talking about personal safety & security, disaster preparedness and empowerment through resilience. There will be exclusive show specials, book signing, demos and releasing upcoming training opportunities.
We are pleased to announce that that due to popular demand, our book, Negative Space: A Guide To Personal Security, is now available as an audio book on Audible and iTunes.
After receiving many messages and emails asking for an audio book version, we took the leap and had the audio book produced to make it even more accessible. It is available as a download from us directly, through Amazon/Audible and iTunes as well (links below).
A new approach for 2024 to bring our skillsets to you in a more accessible format.
Starting in early-2024, We will begin offering 1-day Seminars, covering our legacy curriculum in a new format and making both the price point and time commitment more accessible to those with busy schedules. They will be on Sundays, during the day.
Of course, we will still plan to have our weekend-long immersive workshops, as well as Mixed-Skills classes with trusted partner instructors. We also continue to be available to be hosted to deliver these seminars to private groups.
***NOTE: We still offer RESTRICTED-LEVEL CLASSES in COVERT ENTRY and COUNTER-CUSTODY to LE/MIL/GOV organizations. Email us at info@truenorthtradecraft.ca for details.***
In the meantime, we will be offering Seminars on the following topics:
Situational & Behavioural Awareness – S.A.F.E. (Situational Awareness For Everyone)
Introduction to Personal Safety & Security
Disaster, Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity
Lone-Worker Safety
Travel Security (AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
Women’s Safety (Women-Only) (AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
Introduction to Counter-Custody, Self-Rescue & Restraint Escape – (Part 1 of 2)
Counter-Custody, Self-Rescue & Restraint Escape – (Part 2 of 2)
Introduction to Lock Picking (Pt 1 of 2)
Physical Security and Non-Destructive Entry Methods (Pt 2 of 2)
The Back-Up-Bag Protocol
***Stop The Bleed first aid classes (to be added to the above)***
And more to come!
These Seminars can be taken individually as a stand-alone or together in series towards building a wide-spectrum of skill sets. Depending on the subject matter, there will be differing ratios of theory and practical learning.
Soon, we will be listing the classes individually on our web store, with dates and seminar outlines, to sign up to.
Use Promo code TNTRADECRAFT to save on your purchase.
Mission Darkness (MOS EQUIPMENT) provides faraday electronic emissions shielding gear to protect your electronics from damage and compromise.
Their proprietary shielding fabric blocks all signals, in and out, from cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and RFID, protection.
This technology aids in passport/ID protection, wireless testing, travel data privacy, corporate information integrity, personal security, digital forensics and evidence protection. Protect your data from compromise and destruction with hard-wearing, waterproof, weatherproof and signal-proof.
It can also protect equipment from electro-magnetic pulses (EMPs) prior to, and during, disaster scenarios.
Cellphone, tablets, computers, even your car key fobs can be protected from compromise via intrusion, emmination or remote access.
Be sure to invest wisely in your Electronics security with quality products from Mission Darkness and don’t forget to use promo code TNTRADECRAFT to save on your purchase.
Use Mission Darkness gear to protect your electronics.
Oftentimes, having a security camera system at your residence (whether you are an owner, renter, or traveller) can be beneficial in supporting your security posture as well as your general situational awareness.
Check out this video on our YouTube channel where I talk about how to set-up a quick, simple, inexpensive and effective security camera system.
When you add some solar-powered motion-activated lights, proper placement and some thought and effort, you can really leverage a few dollars and have something which will get the job done.
A few weeks ago I had an enquiry made of me regarding various tidbits to increase your security at home or while travelling. I mentioned many things but apparently mentioning the “fork-lock” was the one they held on to.
Can’t complain. It’s a good trick in a pinch and works pretty well.
On Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, I appeared on the CTV Morning Show in Ottawa.
I was asked to comment on the shooting incident the day previous in downtown Toronto during the celebration festivities of the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Championship win. Estimates placed the crowd sizes at 1.5-2 million. It was just huge.
Thank you to everyone who provided input into this article. Across varied backgrounds and experiences, thank you for your continued support and friendship.
Be sure to check it out in your local copy of Blue Line Magazine – likely already delivered to your agency – or check it out here online or here. Also visit our new LinkedIn & Facebook company pages and give us a follow. Instagram doesn’t hurt either!
Coyote Mountain (Left) and Rare Element (Right) picks.
To this point, all of my lock picking has been done with “production” tools. Some cheap and flimsy, others high-quality. But this is my first foray into hand-made & custom lock picks.
This review’s purpose is not to pit one against the other, but rather to showcase both on their own merits as they are different. They are also custom-made for me, so your experience may differ. With that in mind, here are my thoughts.
I received a selection of picks and some other “tools” (including bump keys, handcuff keys, tiny patches, a glow stick & beads and a fantastic little pouch.
The picks themselves feature a variety of profiles. They come wrapped in cordage and shrink-sleeved with a rubber covering. Then they’re topped with little silver skulls to ensure a level of bad-assery when picking.
The grip and finish are fantastic, however I find that the handles are a bit narrow for my hands. It’s not that it hinders use in any way, it just causes me to use a different grip.
These picks went through those locks with ease.
The only preference I’d change on these is the flexibility (bend from side to side) of the picks. Yes, I know that I’m not supposed to be bending them from side to side, but I am used to slightly more rigid picks. Again, personal preference. This does not detract from their effectiveness, I just find that the feedback takes some getting used to.
The second set I received was a “pen kit” which is a super-minimalist kit which fits into a pen body – VERY COOL. I took it along with me on a recent trip to New York and had zero issues with it. It works equally as well as the “regular” picks, but the handles are bare and the turning tool is not as versatile as the full-sized one.
The finish and polish on these are great and there is no noticeable drag through the lock bodies in any of my practice cylinders or padlocks.
The hand-made custom set of Rare Element lock picks I received took a while (RELP has a waiting list for his stuff, so be patient, it’s worth the wait) and arrived in great shape.
I opted for a mix of rakes and some custom turning tools. The picks came in two thicknesses and various similar profiles. All were high-carbon steel. One was even hand engraved. VERY COOL!
The finish on these had an “acid etched” look to them which looked great and still benefited from the polishing they received. No drag or snag in any of the tested lock bodies.
The only thing I found, well, needing of some adaptability, were the custom turning tools that came with the picks. They had slightly different ends then I’ve been used to but once I got the hand of them and figured out a comfortable way to hold them, they worked very well. Also, the handles are straight steel with no additional grips or wrap added. This is personal preference. They are wider than the CMTP picks, but this isn’t a negative. Just different.
Smooth action and shaping made these practice locks a breeze.
Picking cylinders and padlocks went very well with both sets. I have to say, it’s very difficult to pick one over the other, so I won’t. Both sets are fantastic. I would advise that if you have particular wants or needs that you contact each and discuss. Custom jobs are for particular needs and have requirements that only the person making the items can take into account. They’re top-notch, period. If you’re just starting out then of course, wreck some production stuff. But if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, or are working with these types of tools professionally, do consider checking what these guys have to offer.
