Recognizing Montana Knife Company Owner, Mr. Josh Smith

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the outstanding work of Mr. Josh Smith, owner of Montana Knife Company in Frenchtown, Montana.

Growing up in Lincoln, Montana, Mr. Smith began his journey as a bladesmith at the early age of eleven when he would work at knife- making before and after school. At the age of twelve, Mr. Smith joined the American Bladesmith Society, and the next few years saw Mr. Smith honing his craft of blade smithing. His talents in the art are such that at the age of fifteen years old, Mr. Smith passed the Journeyman bladesmith test--becoming the youngest to ever do so. An impressive feat, Mr. Smith went on to earn his Master Smith rating from the American Bladesmith Society at the age of nineteen. In this too, Mr. Smith was the youngest to ever pass the rigorous Master Smith test.

Mr. Smith turned his dream of starting a custom knife-making business into a reality when he officially launched Montana Knife Company in 2020 as its co-founder and Master Bladesmith. During the pandemic when most businesses were closing, Montana Knife Company started flourishing. Hoping for one hundred thousand sales in 2020 and two million in 2021, they met and then surpassed their goals--with over four million in sales in just over three quarters for 2022.

Starting out in a garage with only two employees, the company has grown into a twelve-person team with a ten thousand square foot building project underway to expand their business.

Montana Knife Company has been gaining recognition nationwide for its high-quality, American-made knives. Its growth and success are certainly a testament to Mr. Smith's exceptional craftmanship and entrepreneurial leadership.

I thank Josh for serving the people of Montana and his commitment to Montana values and traditions.

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