It’s tempting to say that Josh Smith builds the best knives in the world. I won’t say it, because I’m not an expert on knives, and I know that a lot of other talented craftsmen are doing some pretty incredible work in this space. All I can tell you for sure, is that I’ve never owned a better blade than those built by the Montana Knife Company, a modest little endeavor that Josh Smith has turned into a remarkable business.
I’d heard about MKC from a number of friends who have raved about the custom knives that Josh has been fashioning for most of his life. The demand for his work far exceeds the supply, and it’s not hyperbole to say that people wait with bated breath for the next “knife drop,” which never fails to feature something spectacular that sells out overnight. I’d never personally used one until recently, and full disclosure, I didn’t purchase the one I own now. It was given to me at an event in Nashville. One of the organizers handed me a package before I went on stage.
“This is from a guy named Josh Smith who really admires what you’re doing with mikeroweWORKS,” he said. “He sent it here and asked that it be hand delivered to you. It’s pretty special.”
Inside the package, wrapped in brown paper tied with string, was a knife. A chef’s knife, to be specific, but calling it what it is doesn’t quite cut it, as it were. You know how sometimes when you encounter a thing that’s remarkable or even transcendent, you can’t say why? Could be a car, a painting, a song, a poem…whatever – excellence has a way of defining itself, even when we can’t. Anyway, this was a work of art. I knew when I saw it, and I knew when I held it. And then, back home a few nights later, I used it to slice up a strip steak, and it was otherworldly. Perfectly balanced and sharper than a scalpel, it glided through the meat with no effort. More like a laser than a knife.
Later that night, I called the number on the handwritten note that had accompanied this unexpected gift, and talked to the man who made it.
“Thanks, Josh. That was a very generous. You shouldn’t have.”
“Least I could do,” he said. “I appreciate your stance on American made products and wanted you to see what I’ve built in Montana. I’m also the guy you’ve been talking about the last 16 years.”
“How’s that?” I asked.
“My kids and I have watched every episode of Dirty Jobs. Your SWEAT Pledge embodies my world view. Your scholarship program is the most worthwhile I’ve seen. I just wanted to say thanks.”
“Well, you’re welcome,” I said. “And this knife is incredible. How did you get so good at what you do?”
As Josh told me his story – which involves a last minute trip to Istanbul to make a sword for sheik – it became obvious that the world needs to know Josh Smith. And so, here he is. Turns out, Josh is as good a podcast guest as he is a bladesmith, and trust me – that’s saying something. This is one of my favorite conversations ever, for all sorts of reasons. Listen to the whole thing here.
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