Say Hello to the Most Hyped Knife Brand You’ve Never Heard Of

In today’s culture, when it comes to brands and their resonance with consumers, two major factors determine success: the product, which is paramount, and the people behind it, which in our transparency-focused age, is almost as important. Yes, you make a cool jacket/knife/shoe, but modern customers often want more: we want to know who we’re supporting, and what the vision is.

When it comes to brands in the EDC space, origin stories run rampant; some authentic, some forced. But one that’s stood out to me for some time is that of one of the fastest-growing brands in the world of knives — Montana Knife Company. It all starts with the brand’s founder, Josh Smith, and, yes, his mom.

A brand 20 years in the making

When I first heard mention of MKC on episode #1716 of The Joe Rogan Experience, I was intrigued. Montana Knife Company launched in late 2020, and in the ensuing three-and-a-half years, it has grown to be one of the most popular new brands in knife culture. Its fixed blade knives routinely sell out, and fans include esteemed outdoorsmen such as Cameron Hanes and Steven Rinella.

It’s a tale of seemingly meteoric growth for the Missoula-based brand, but the roots of MKC stretch back more than 20 years — to when Smith was a kid growing up in Lincoln, Montana.

When Smith was eleven years old, he received a knife for Christmas made by Rick Dunkerley, his Little League coach and a talented bladesmith. That initial gifted knife lit a fire inside Smith, who began in earnest to make his own knives in a lean-to shop his father built for him. Smith joined the American Bladesmith Society at age twelve, and at fifteen, after three years as an apprentice, Smith became the youngest journeyman knife maker in the world.

A young Josh Smith with one of his first designs. Montana Knife Company

Josh Smith, founder of Montana Knife Company, present day. Montana Knife Company

Not too surprisingly, Smith has been pretty open about his early obsession with knife making — going so far as to sneak it into his more traditional education: “My school science fair project even covered heat treating steel, which gave me the opportunity to sell my very first knives. I’ll never forget that my first customers were two of my teachers, who bought blades for $20 each.”

Thanks to moments like that, Smith’s mom recognized his passion for knife making was real. While he was still honing his chops, she registered the name Montana Knife Company with the state. But the kind of success Smith is now enjoying with MKC wouldn’t come for two more decades.

After getting married, starting a family and feeling the pressures of the economic crash of 2008, Smith put knife making aside to support his growing family. While his passion for knives never dulled, he felt it was the most responsible move. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and everything was uncertain, Smith realized it was time to follow his dream and lean into knife making full-time. Luckily for him, he already had a business name (thanks, Mom).

You know the history — now meet the blades

Montana Knife Company is unusual in a few ways. It doesn’t offer a folding knife (…yet), t drops new designs and updates to existing designs every single week, and it produces all of its knives in the USA, right in Smith’s home state of Montana. If the home-grown roots and domestic manufacturing of MKC appeal to you, wait until you get to know the knives themselves.

MKC makes knives for hunting, culinary, bushwhacking and every day use, although it’s most widely known for its hunting and dressing blades. The brand uses a rotation of 52100 Ball Bearing steel, AEB-L and Magnacut on all of its blades and hatchets, and handle materials include the expected, like G10, and the novel, like wrapped paracord. Every knife and hatchet is designed and built in the brand’s factory just outside of Missoula, Montana.

This region has shaped my life as an outdoorsman, and it has influenced many of the blade designs of some of MKC’s most popular knives.

Josh Smith, Founder and Master Bladesmith, Montana Knife Company

Smith is committed to American manufacturing and producing knives in his home state, which serves endless inspiration. “Growing up on the edge of the famed Bob Marshall Wilderness, this region has shaped my life as an outdoorsman, and it has influenced many of the blade designs of some of MKC’s most popular knives,” Smith says. “Many of our knives are named after the special places, animals and mountain ranges surrounding Montana.”

The MKC 3-Piece Collection is a high-end culinary collaboration between Smith and another renowned knife maker, Mareko Maumasi. Montana Knife Company

If you find these details appealing, you’re not alone — which is why you’ll likely have to wait a while for your own Montana Knife Company blade. At the moment, the brand’s entire inventory is sold out — even with those weekly drops. But if you want to snag a knife sooner rather than later, there is hope.

“Our team works incredibly hard to deliver the best product possible week-in and week-out for our loyal customers,” says Smith. “Throughout the remainder of 2024, we’ll continue our weekly ‘knife drops’ every Thursday at 7 pm MST. We have a lot of brand new products releasing throughout the year that we’re really excited about.”

The workshop and products may have gotten a major upgrade, but Smith’s passion remains as strong today as when he was a young boy,Montana Knife Company

In addition to new and updated releases dropping every Thursday, MKC plans to build up the inventory of popular staples, including the Blackfoot 2.0 (see top of page and below), Speedgoat 2.0 and Stonewall Skinner. You can sign up to be notified about the next blade drop — and on each knife’s page, you can also sign up to be notified if/when that knife becomes available.

Living up to hype can be a challenge for any brand. But so far, with its focus on eye-catching function-first design and top-notch materials, Montana Knife Company is on the right track. Smith waited more than two decades to bring this brand to life — if anyone has the patience and fortitude to lift it even higher, it’s him.

Montana Knife Company

Montana Knife Company

Montana Knife Company

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