Cameron Hanes - Keep Hammering Collective

KHC 109 - Josh Smith

Jan 9, 2025

Josh Smith, a master bladesmith and the force behind Montana Knife Company, shares his journey from crafting knives as a teenager to building a successful business. He discusses his latest innovation, the Packout Skinner Knife, designed specifically for effective skinning in the field. Smith highlights the emotional connection we have with heirloom knives and the challenges of entrepreneurship. His dedication to quality craftsmanship and American-made products shines through, revealing the importance of community and hard work in his knife-making legacy.

02:16:32

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Episode guests

Josh Smith

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Authenticity in personal and business relationships fosters trust, enabling successful collaborations and a positive environment for communication.

Community support in endeavors like knife making or hunting can lead to invaluable connections and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Hard work is essential for success, as consistent dedication over time shapes one's journey and inspires others to pursue their passions.

Learning from both successes and failures promotes resilience and self-awareness, encouraging continuous growth and adaptation to challenges.

A positive work culture enhances team success and morale by promoting collaboration, recognizing contributions, and supporting employee development.

Deep dives

The Importance of Authenticity

Authenticity is crucial in establishing personal and business relationships. The conversation highlights the significance of staying true to oneself and one's values in interactions, whether with friends, family, or during business dealings. Being genuine helps in building trust and rapport, which is vital for successful collaborations and partnerships. Authenticity also fosters a positive environment, encouraging open communication and stronger connections.

Intro

3min

From Dreams to Steel: The Knife Company Journey

6min

Innovative Partnerships in the Firearm and Hunting Industry

2min

Crafting a Knife Legacy

26min

Exploring a New Knife Design and Performance Enhancers

5min

The Perfect Blade for Game Processing

6min

Crafting the Perfect Knife

3min

The Journey of Craft and Community

21min

Embodying the American Dream

8min

10.

Forging Ahead: The Knife-Maker's Journey

21min

11.

The Power of Direct Communication in Leadership

23min

12.

Authenticity, Tools, and the Journey of Hard Work

5min

13.

Honoring Blue-Collar Dedication

7min

Join us for a discussion with Josh Smith, master bladesmith and owner of Montana Knife Company. In this episode Cam and Josh talk about the NEW Packout Skinner Knife, designed by a vision Cam had for a knife that performs better for skinning and meat processing in the field.

Follow along:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronhanes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camhanes/

Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com

Follow Montana Knife Company:

https://www.instagram.com/montanaknifecompany/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Sig Sauer: https://www.sigsauer.com/ use code CAM10 for 10% off optics

Hoyt: http://bit.ly/3Zdamyv use code CAM for 10% off

Ketone IQ: https://www.ketone.com/Cam use code CAM for 30% off your first subscription

MUD\WTR: https://mudwtr.com/cam use code CAM for 15% off

MTN OPS Supplements: https://mtnops.com/ Use code KEEPHAMMERING for 20% off and Free Shipping

Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/ Use code KEEPHAMMERING for 20% your first order

Timestamps:

0:00:00 Making Knives at a Young Age

0:06:42 Why Josh Started the MKC Company So Early

0:09:30 Scaling the Company & the Heritage Behind Knives

0:14:56 Josh’s First Handmade Knives

0:19:40 Learning from the Masters

0:24:26 Making a Durable Blade

0:31:03 Ad Break

0:33:27 The Struggles of a Full Time Knife Maker

0:37:49 The Packout Skinner Knife

0:50:55 Connections That Helped Build the MKC Brand

0:57:17 Success from Hard Work

01:03:05 American Made & Advertising

01:13:03 Building a Brand in America

01:20:43 Hate Comments & Critics

01:31:37 Studying Successful People - Evan Hafer

01:37:14 Communication & Leadership

01:45:36 Passing Down Credit Within the Company

01:49:12 Culture & A Good Attitude Always Win

01:55:26 Employee Happiness & Being Undeniable

02:00:56 Being Consistently Passionate About Something

02:10:59 Outro

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