By Brittany Kirke
Last December, we met the knife-crafting veteran Michael Olson and his furry sidekick, Ruger. This dynamic duo is back at it again with more custom creations to back the brave men and women who put their lives on the line protecting our country.
“Truly America’s bravest firefighters, finest police… you know that thin line between chaos and civilization is that thin blue line on these knives.”
Almost one year later, his skills have improved tenfold and he is slowly but steadily increasing his inventory and tool kit. Michael is a disabled Navy veteran who endures severe and chronic pain after an accident during a fire in PCB. If you’d like to read more about Michael’s story, check out the original interview with him here: pcbeach.lifemediagrp.com/honing-his-skills-to-help-others-veteran-michael-olson-makes-knives.
This year, Michael has an exciting lineup of events to raise even more money than last year for local fire and police departments and veteran’s groups alike. Recently, he completed and auctioned off a four piece set of knives for the American Legion Hospice Center in Bay County for around $24,000. He has worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center in the past and plans to do another raffle with them again this year. He also is planning to start a fundraiser for the Bay County Teen Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Michael has displayed a knife very near and dear to his heart at the Thomas Drive Fire Department. This knife dons the call sign “29-26,” the same call sign his wife took on. She passed away ten years ago this July and continues to be a light in Michael’s life as the inspiration to start his journey in knife-crafting. He is currently partnered with Copeland’s Gun Shop in Freeport, FL, Argyle Fire Department near DeFuniak Springs, FL, and the Walton County Police Department to auction off other custom creations and is more than appreciative of their continued support.
Coming up in November, the Warriors Beach Retreat will be hosting their annual fundraiser and he will be contributing a custom piece for them. Mike has also crafted a knife in collaboration with the IGY6 project and will be raffling it off to send the proceeds to another veterans group. It features the IGY6 logo and has salvaged wood from Ground Zero (9/11) embedded in the handle. This knife is currently searching for a host near Tyndall Air Force Base, so if you or someone you know would like to connect with Michael to coordinate a raffle, please contact him via text at (754) 248-6915 or visit his Facebook Page to send him a message, www.facebook.com/michael.olson.10888938 (Michael Olson).
And be sure to follow along with what he does in the future: he is currently holding online auctions to sell his stock in addition to his auctionable knives!
