-Bret Gamrot

About a year ago I was bored and flipping through channels one Sunday evening. I dialed into 60 Minutes and started watching a segment about the troubled economy. I put the remote down once I noticed a rugged, soft-spoken man, tearfully talking about his hometown of Wilmington, Ohio. His name was Michael O’Machearley and he along with 12,000 other Wilmington residents had found themselves jobless. DHL, a German owned delivery business that bought out Airborne Express, was in the process of shutting down operations in Wilmington. DHL employees, many of whom had worked there for many years were being shown the exit doors. The DHL closing was hitting Wilmington with the blunt trauma of a major earthquake, but without the physical damage.

Mike O’Machearley had just taken a job at DHL as a bus driver. Mike depended on his DHL salary to support his wife, four children and grandson. Prior to taking the job at DHL, an unthinkable tragedy had hit the O’Machearley family. Mike’s oldest son was shot down in a helicopter and killed with 16 other Marines in Iraq.

By this time I found myself at the end of my couch as I watched this man talk about the loss of his son and his job. I was wondering what would happen to his beloved Wilmington and to his family. I then heard him say, “Wilmington is ground zero, we’ve got to get back to being America. We are losing sight of what my son died for…what the other 16 soldiers died for. We’ve got to get America back.” His words really struck me and all I can do is pray for the guy. “What is this poor soul going to do?” I thought to myself. At that moment the story switched gears and started showing Mike in his workshop pounding on red-hot steel pulled from a fire forge. I became even more focused on the man. Mike is a passionate craftsman and he had been building beautiful custom engraved hunting knives from scratch as a hobby. Mike then said, “God closes one door and opens another.” Facing a crossroad in his life, Mike is now relying on himself to make ends meet by taking a hobby and turning it into a lifeline.

I was really intrigued by this guy’s attitude, drive and fight to survive. Watching Mike work his craft during the interview, I rushed to open my laptop and Googled his name. I just had to find his contact information or a web site! Thankfully, in a few minutes, I found his site and I was completely taken by the beauty and quality of his work. I knew what I had to do…like it was calling me.

I had always wanted to purchase a top quality knife, but never got around to it. However on that Sunday evening I was compelled to change that. After hearing his story and seeing his passion, I felt like we were kindred spirits. I couldn’t think of a better opportunity or a better guy to buy my first custom knife from. On his site I noticed a handsome knife called the Brahma Camp knife. Without hesitation, I clicked “Buy”: After many months of waiting, the day came when I got an email from Mike saying my Brahma Camp Knife was finished and would be shipping out of Wilmington: UPS mind you. Upon receipt, it was everything I imagined a top quality knife would be. The blade was amazingly sharp and forged from the best grade steel available. The handle was crafted to perfection. It felt so comfortable, and it fit in my hand like we were made for each other. Every knife comes with a leather sheath, hand made cut-n-leather by Mike’s own hands. The mere presence of the knife was amazing. Most outdoorsman/friends I show my knife to totally admire the artwork and craftsmanship and even more so the story behind the man that made it.

Since then I have ordered a second knife. The Dropped Hunter ATS 34. This is a legal blade that I can carry on my belt daily and even use while out to dinner cutting into a steak, or dressing a deer or hog out in the field. I can say I am a full-fledged O’Machearley knife collector now. Soon I plan on ordering my next knife made with a custom carved stag handle.

Since 60 Minutes was aired, knife orders just keep coming. The show didn’t even publish his web site or phone number, yet Mike has taken over 200 orders that will take him 20 months to fulfill. Call this an act of God? I think so. “God opened a door and I’m not just going through it, I’m running through it!” Mike states. When Mike is not building knives, he is an avid hunter and fisherman. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and I personally look forward to putting Mike on his dream fish, a giant tarpon! Get down here Mike!!!

Check out his work and pay his web site a visit. If you are an avid knife collector you have to get one, or just get one and become a collector like me! For more information or to order one of your own, please visit www.omachearleycustomknives.com or call Mike at (937) 728-2818.