Who Am I?

I’m Karl J. P. Smith—engineer, storyteller, and founder of Truest North Compass. With a Ph.D. in Biophysics and stints at Amazon and Google, I build precision devices the old-fashioned way: by hand, in small batches, in my Buffalo workshop. Each piece blends calibrated electronics with crafted materials to become something you’ll pass down, not toss out. Before this, I toured a stage show full of inventions and stories and my storytelling was profiled by USA Today and Scientific American. That same spirit now guides every compass and Prox Box I make.

The First Compass

I first created the Truest North Compass as part of a mystery and treasure hunt I wrote for my niece and nephew to solve in a state park near Pittsburgh. I gave them the compass, and following it, we crossed a lake in a canoe, climbed a hill covered in briar bushes, and discovered an abandoned water tower. The compass pointed to a jar filled with glass gems at the base of the tower. It was the best adventure of the summer.

Kickstarter - Summer 2024

The Kickstarter was a smashing success - over 600 people backed the campaign, and they had lots of good things to say about their compasses.

See the Kickstarter Comments

All Compasses are Assembled in Buffalo

I assemble the compasses by hand in my workshop in the Allentown neighborhood of Buffalo, NY. I have a lot of help from my family, my dad in particular has given me so many hours of time helping to build the compasses. If you're in town, why not come by and tour the workshop?

Reach out to schedule a tour of the workshop!
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