Today we’d like to introduce you to Pake Mcnally

Hi Pake, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I fell in love with working with metal when I started building found object sculptures and art out of old scrap iron. From there I took an interest in traditional blacksmithing and found a mentor who had been doing the job since 1940. Blacksmith Tom showed me how to move hot iron with the hammer and anvil and to “play in the fire.”

I have also always had an interest and a need to stay physically fit. Some of my jobs through the years have put me in very dangerous situations and the only thing that saved me was my physical fitness. So I designed and built a custom workout mace to help improve shoulder mobility and core strength.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

When I first started working with metal, I had no idea how to market, price or sell any of my work. I left a solid career as a Wildland Firefighter to take over Blacksmith Tom’s shop. After he passed away, I had gotten married and needed to find health insurance for myself and my wife. So I enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Combat Engineer. Tom’s family decided to go in another direction while I was in Basic Training and gave me the boot.

Become Stronger Industries was born out of desperation. I had lost most of my tools. But I still had my welder so I started building workout maces. Since then I’ve shipped well over 1,000 maces to all 50 states and several countries across the world.

I’m now currently working for my local Sheriffs office during the day and building maces as well as fabricating and blacksmithing different items for the local farmers and ranchers.

The goal is to go back to working for myself full time in the next couple of years. It’s been a rollercoaster but I’ve learned so much about myself and my chosen craft that I wouldn’t change a thing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I”m known for the rustic handmade look of everything I make. Taking a customers “crazy idea” and making it happen is my favorite part of working with metal. I’m able to put my heart and soul into each piece. Knowing that it will be used to either help them along their fitness journey if it’s one of my maces or help them get work done if its on the farm or ranch by using one of my knives, a pair of spurs or branding irons.

What makes you happy?

My wife and boys, spending time with them at our home in the country is what keeps me going. Working in the shop and creating is my therapy and makes me a better dad and husband.

Pricing:

• $50
• $200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.become-stronger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomestronger_1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcnallymetal/