We came across Montana Knife Company recently when we were updating our research on American made pocket knives, and boy, are we glad we found them. Their knives are the real deal – 100% made in the USA and designed by a really impressive knifemaker, Josh Smith, who founded the company.
We got the chance to talk to Josh about his story and get a behind-the-scenes look at Montana Knife Company. Our interview with him is below! All of our questions are marked with “AAO” and Josh’s responses have a “JS” next to them.
We hope you enjoy this exclusive look at Montana Knife Company – we sure did!
Behind the Scenes of Montana Knife Company
AAO: Give us a look inside the history of Montana Knife Company. How did y’all grow up into the company you are today?
JS: I grew up in Lincoln, Montana, right on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. When I was 11, my baseball coach, Rick Dunkerley, began teaching me how to make knives. It started with trips to Rick’s shop, where I learned the basics of knifemaking.
A year later, I decided to set up a shop at home. My dad gave me space to work in his equipment shop, and by the time I was 12, I had joined the American Bladesmith Society. Over the next few years, I really started to focus on forging and refining my skills. At 14, I attended the Eugene, Oregon, knife show, where I met some incredible knife makers who were more than willing to share their knowledge with me.
When I was 15, I passed the Journeyman bladesmith test at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, becoming the youngest bladesmith to ever pass the test. The test was a two-part process. First, I had to forge and heat-treat a blade that could chop through a 1” rope, cut two 2x4s in half, and still shave hair. Then, the blade had to bend 90 degrees in a vise without breaking. After that, I presented five knives to a panel of Mastersmith judges, who examined them to ensure they met the high standards of craftsmanship required at the Journeyman level.
I continued working on my craft, and at 19, I earned my Master Smith rating from the American Bladesmith Society, becoming the youngest person to achieve that title.
As if predicting my future, my mom went ahead and registered a company name for me—Montana Knife Company—when I was just 19. It was a fitting name for our state, even though, at the time, I had no plans to run a knife company.
After sticking to my roots as a hunter and spending maybe too much time in the field, I knew college wasn’t really for me. I had every intention of taking over my family’s excavation business, but life had other plans. I got married, moved to Missoula, and found a job—which I quit the day after closing on my first home. At that point, I decided to make custom knives full-time. Then, the 2008 economic crash hit, and like many others, I had to pivot. By 2010, I took a full-time job with benefits to support my growing family.
For the next decade, I provided for my four kids, making knives on the side whenever I could. But the dream of forging knives full-time never left. I wanted to do it differently this time—to build something bigger, a brand that stood for something. All those years, Montana Knife Company was waiting for me in my back pocket, thanks to my mom.
In 2020, despite COVID’s grip on the world, I decided to go all in. With the support of my wife, Jessica, who encouraged me to follow my passion, I started making knives in my garage. I found a business partner in Brandon Horoho, who was ready to invest everything into the brand. At the end of that year, I quit my full-time job. On January 1, 2021, Brandon and I officially launched Montana Knife Company and began sending knives out to hunters in the industry.
Over the past three years, Montana Knife Company has grown in ways I never could have imagined, gaining recognition across the hunting community and throughout the country.
You might think we’re a large company with a big team running a complex operation, but the truth is we’re still a small group of hunters and fishermen who are passionate about making American-made tools that help us pursue what we love.
AAO: What made you want to get started?
JS: What made me want to get started was really a combination of things. I grew up passionate about the outdoors, hunting, and craftsmanship, which led me to make knives early on. However, after spending time in the field and learning from some incredible mentors, I realized how much I loved making tools that were practical and meaningful to me and others like me.
At one point, I had planned to take over my family’s excavation business, but life took a few turns. It felt right when I started making custom knives full-time after quitting my job. However, the 2008 economic downturn forced me to step back and take a stable job to support my family. But through all that, I never stopped thinking about forging knives full-time and building a brand that could stand for something.
In 2020, I had the chance to go all in. My wife, Jessica, encouraged me to follow my passion, and with her support and a great business partner, Brandon Horoho, I knew it was time to bring Montana Knife Company to life. It was the perfect opportunity to combine my love for hunting and craftsmanship and build something that would resonate with other hunters and hardworking people.
AAO: How many U.S. based employees do you have and in what locations?
JS: We have one location in Montana. Our company has 60 employees, not counting Brandon and me.
AAO: Why do you choose to manufacture in the U.S.?
JS: MKC chooses to manufacture in the USA because it aligns with everything we believe in. First, it’s about quality. Manufacturing here allows us to closely oversee every step of the process, ensuring our knives meet the highest standards. We know the pride that comes with American craftsmanship, and that’s what we want to deliver to our customers—tools they can rely on and be proud to own.
Second, it’s about supporting American jobs. We believe in paying fair wages and contributing to the economy in our own backyard. By keeping production in the USA, we’re able to employ skilled workers and invest in the communities that have supported us.
Lastly, it’s about staying true to our roots. As a company founded by hunters and craftsmen, we take pride in being American-made. It’s important to us that our knives reflect the hard work, dedication, and resilience that define the American spirit.
Our Favorite Montana Knife Company Products
Below are some of our favorite knives from Montana Knife Company. The notes on each one are provided by Josh.
The Speedgoat
The Speedgoat is one of MKC’s best-sellers, known for its lightweight, ultra-thin design. Named after the pronghorn antelope native to Montana, it’s ideal for hunters who need a reliable, sharp knife without the extra weight. It features a paracord-wrapped handle, making it both comfortable and versatile. Its high-carbon steel blade holds an edge exceptionally well, making it perfect for field dressing game in tough conditions.
The Blackfoot 2.0
The Blackfoot 2.0 is another popular choice, offering a slightly more robust design compared to the Speedgoat. Its full-tang construction and ergonomic handle are built for both durability and comfort. The Blackfoot 2.0 is perfect for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a tough, reliable knife that can handle everything from skinning game to camp tasks.
The Super Cub
Inspired by the legendary Super Cub bush planes, this larger-sized knife is favored for its versatility and strength despite its smaller size. Its stout blade and rugged design make it a popular option for hunters and adventurers who need a knife that can handle detailed work while still being capable of more demanding tasks.
MagnaCut Steel
MKC’s use of the new MagnaCut steel has quickly made this knife a customer favorite. Known for its toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention, Magnacut is the perfect steel for hard-use knives.
American Made With The Outdoorsman In Mind
AAO: What do your customers love most about Montana Knife Company and your products?
JS: Our customers appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of our knives. Every tool we make is designed with practicality and durability in mind, which resonates with people who depend on reliable gear in the field. Our knives are American-made, which is something our customers value, knowing that they’re supporting a brand rooted in hard work and tradition.
Another big thing customers love is that we design with hunting and the outdoors in mind. We’re not just making knives look good—we’re making tools that hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts can rely on. MKC knives are tough, functional, and built to last, which is important to our customers.
Lastly, our community connection is huge. MKC isn’t just a brand; we’re a small team of hunters and fishermen ourselves. Customers appreciate that we’re like them—real working people who understand what they need from their tools. It creates a level of trust and authenticity that really stands out.
AAO: What makes your products unique vs. the competition?
JS: Most bigger knife brands are run by people in suits, not by knife makers with a passion for the craft. These executives may know business, but they have no idea how to make what they’re selling, let alone how to use it. One difference is our commitment to American-made craftsmanship. We don’t outsource production—we proudly manufacture every knife in the USA, ensuring that quality control is top-notch and that we’re supporting American workers. This dedication to craftsmanship and supporting local communities makes us unique in an industry where many brands have moved production overseas.
We’re also deeply connected to our roots in the hunting and outdoors community. MKC was founded by hunters and craftsmen who understand what’s needed in the field, and we design our knives with that practical knowledge in mind. That connection to our customers—people like us who value tools they can rely on—creates a level of authenticity and trust that sets us apart.
The Future
AAO: What gets you excited about the future of Montana Knife Company? Where are you headed?
JS: Our vision for Montana Knife Company is bold. We’re not just aiming to grow—we want to become one of the most respected American-made brands in the country. We’ll build a team of incredible people, pay them what they deserve, and stay true to our roots. We’ll never send production overseas—and trust me, I don’t say NEVER often.
But more than anything, we’ll keep doing what we do best—crafting dependable knives for hardworking people, with the quality they can take pride in and a price that makes sense.
Thanks so much to Josh and the team for sharing their incredible story!
