Montana Knife Company Celebrates Grand Opening of New Facility

The custom knife maker expands to a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing space and adds a new coffee shop.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:45am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished metal knife blades, handles, and other knife-making tools arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the craftsmanship and precision of Montana Knife Company's products.Montana Knife Company's new manufacturing facility showcases the premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship behind its custom knives.Missoula Today

Montana Knife Company, a custom knife maker founded in 2020, is celebrating the grand opening of its new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Missoula this weekend. The company, which started in founder Josh Smith's garage, has grown to 115 employees and is now opening a new Black Rifle Coffee shop as part of the new space.

Why it matters

The expansion of Montana Knife Company represents the resilience and growth of a local business that was able to thrive during the pandemic. The new facility and coffee shop will bring more jobs and economic activity to the Missoula area, showcasing the community's support for homegrown entrepreneurship and craftsmanship.

The details

Montana Knife Company began in 2020 when founder Josh Smith, a master bladesmith, started making knives in his garage. The company quickly grew, and Smith hired the company's first few employees. In 2021, the company moved into its new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the Wye, west of Missoula. The new space includes not only room for knife production, but also a new Black Rifle Coffee shop where customers can enjoy a snack and browse the company's knives and merchandise.

  • Montana Knife Company was founded in 2020.
  • The company hired its first employees in January 2021.
  • The new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility opened in 2026.

The players

Josh Smith

The founder and master bladesmith of Montana Knife Company, who started the business in his garage in 2020.

Brandon Horoho

A co-founder of Montana Knife Company who brought marketing and e-commerce expertise to the growing business.

Montana Knife Company

A custom knife maker founded in 2020 that has grown to 115 employees and is celebrating the grand opening of its new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Missoula.

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What they’re saying

“This is a really cool community, and we're proud to be on this hill. It's the first business you see when you come into the Missoula Valley. I hope, even if you're not a customer of ours, that you're at least proud of what we've built here in the fact that we do contribute to the community in so many different ways, plus the payroll and everything, the careers we're building.”

— Josh Smith, Founder and Master Bladesmith, Montana Knife Company

“It was just my wife and kids and I in my garage, and, and, you know, it started to pick up a little steam. I quit my Northwestern Energy job January 1st of '21, hired our first couple of employees, and still, all those people reported to work at my house in Frenchtown down that dead-end road.”

— Josh Smith, Founder and Master Bladesmith, Montana Knife Company

What’s next

The new Black Rifle Coffee shop at the Montana Knife Company facility will open at 6 am on Saturday, with the official grand opening celebration scheduled to begin at 10 am.

The takeaway

The growth of Montana Knife Company from a one-man operation in a garage to a 115-employee manufacturing facility with a new coffee shop demonstrates the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses in Montana. The company's success has brought new jobs and economic activity to the Missoula area, showcasing the community's support for local craftsmanship and homegrown businesses.