June 04, 2024

Josh Smith: 30 Year Overnight Success Story, What It Takes To Build Montana Knife Company

2 hours 9 minutes

As the CEO and founder of Montana Knife Company, Josh has combined his passion for hunting and extensive knowledge of blades to create one of the fastest-growing US-based manufacturing companies in the US outdoor industry. Montana Knife Company specializes in high-quality hunting knives for hunters and blue-collar working people.

Josh Smith, a fifth-generation Montanan, was raised in Lincoln, Montana, near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Growing up, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, motorcycles, and sports. Alongside his younger sister Sarah, he was raised in a log house built by their parents.

At age 11, Josh met Rick Dunkerley, his Little League baseball coach who introduced him to knife making. Inspired by Rick, Josh received a hand-forged knife for Christmas in 1992 and soon began learning the craft. By age 15, Josh became the youngest Journeyman Smith in the American Bladesmith Society, and by 19, the youngest Master Smith.

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What is MTNTOUGH?

MTNTOUGH is The #1 Fitness App Trusted By The Dedicated

Our premier functional fitness programming is conveniently packaged for hunters, first responders, military, and mountain athletes. Train at home, at the gym, or on the go.

Since 2016, MTNTOUGH has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal goals by creating a foundation for physical and mental toughness. The brand’s best-in-class programs are developed, tested, and proven by former Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and renowned physical trainers. MTNTOUGH+ programs are used by elite groups and operators, including special ops forces, wildland firefighters, backcountry hunters, professional mountain athletes, and more. The MTNTOUGH fitness lab is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, surrounded by some of the world’s top mountain athletes.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Starting Small and Being Patient with Montana Knife Company

00:08:43 - Learning Hard Work from My Dad

00:16:06 - Discovering a Passion for Knife Making

00:23:37 - Balancing Work and Family in Knife Making

00:31:42 - Teaching Resilience and Passion

00:39:20 - The Importance of Consistency and Time

00:47:10 - From Excavator Operator to Knife Maker

00:55:05 - The Beginning of a Big Event

01:03:27 - Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship

01:11:47 - The Pros and Cons of Bootstrapping a Startup

01:19:33 - The Importance of Sacrifice and Support in Pursuing Dreams

01:27:48 - The Feeling of Inadequacy

01:36:36 - Creating Jobs and Supporting Local Communities

01:44:36 - Building a Great Team

01:52:34 - Finding Positive Role Models on Instagram

02:00:26 - Hockey Enforcers and UFC Fighters

02:08:43 - Rapping Up

...more

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By Dustin Diefenderfer Founder and CEO of MTNTOUGH Fitness

4.9

240240 ratings