Episode 397 - Josh Smith - Manufacturing, Tariffs, and Bringing Jobs back to the United States

As Montana Knife Company’s Founder and Owner, Josh Smith is the Master Bladesmith behind creating and designing working knives for working people that are built to last for generations.

Josh grew up in Lincoln, Montana on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. At the age of 11 Josh’s baseball coach, Rick Dunkerley, began teaching him how to make knives. In the very beginning, Josh would go to Rick’s shop where he learned to remove stock blades under the guidance of Rick.

About a year later, Josh began putting a shop together at his home. Josh’s Dad gave him room to work in his equipment shop, and at the age of 12 Josh joined the American Bladesmith Society. Over the next few years Josh began forging and honing his craft. Josh turned 14 at the Eugene Oregon knife show where he met other incredible knife makers, all too willing to share their talents and knowledge with Josh.

At 15 years old, Josh passed the Journeyman Bladesmith test in Atlanta, Georgia at the Blade Show. Josh became the youngest bladesmith to ever pass this test. The Journeyman test is a two-part process. A test blade must be forged and heat treated with the capabilities to chop a 1” rope in half, 2- 2x4’s in half and then still shave hair. Once the cutting tests are done the blade must be able to bend 90 degrees in a vise without breaking. After passing the performance test the maker must present 5 knives to a panel of Mastersmith Judges. Each knife is examined closely to ensure the knife is made to the highest standard of craftsmanship. At the Journeyman level a maker is not expected to show perfection but is expected to show a sufficient level of craftsmanship expected from a professional bladesmith.

Montana Knife Company

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LMNT:

[00:00:00] - Intro and Banter

[00:02:48] - Media Exclusion

[00:03:58] - Changing Political Definitions

[00:05:06] - Trump Turns on His Base

[00:06:57] - Lame-Duck Presidency Reflections

[00:07:56] - "Drain the Swamp" Expectations

[00:09:01] - Epstein Files Campaign Promise

[00:10:00] - Modern Cover-Up Comparisons

[00:15:08] - Releasing All Information Dilemma

[00:17:32] - Social Circles vs. Crime Involvement

[00:19:02] - Zero Tolerance for Abusers

[00:21:00] - Money, Blackmail, and Intelligence Ties

[00:23:28] - Threats Blocking Disclosure

[00:24:53] - Personal Choices in Disclosure

[00:27:01] - Broadsword vs. Scalpel Approach

[00:29:59] - MKC Growth Story

[00:35:06] - New Facility Construction

[00:36:57] - Hiring Plans and Equipment List

[00:38:56] - Heat-Treat Batch Failure

[00:42:50] - Blade Lead-Time Explained

[00:44:00] - German Grinder Price and Tariffs

[00:46:55] - Uncertainty Halts Hiring and Spending

[00:49:00] - Finished Goods vs. Equipment Tariffs

[00:50:55] - Loss of U.S. Powder-Steel Production

[00:53:45] - Crucible Acquisition and Tech Move

[00:55:55] - Steel Tariff Impact

[00:58:45] - Passing Costs to Customers

[01:00:46] - Tiered Tariff Plan Proposal

[01:03:33] - Government as Poor Steward of Money

[01:05:04] - Apparel, Chemicals, and Reshoring

[01:07:20] - Deficit Concerns and Legislation

[01:12:11] - Power Grid Parts Sourced Overseas

[01:14:53] - Transformer Vulnerability Scenario

[01:17:10] - Belief in the American Dream

[01:19:34] - Meeting Brandon: Marketing Partnership

[01:23:28] - Black Rifle Coffee Shop at MKC

[01:27:00] - Turkish Toilet-Paper Holder Regret

[01:29:45] - Hidden Knives and Helicopter Hunts

[01:31:30] - Call for Citizen Engagement

[01:33:55] - Tax Boycott Thought Experiment

[01:36:03] - Presidential Age Limits

[01:38:32] - Airport Mask Memory

[01:40:45] - Closing Remarks and Thanks