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: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com

Today's Sponsors:

Pique:

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Jimmy Hatch grew up in the mountains of Utah and joined the service on his seventeenth birthday. After serving four years in the US fleet, Hatch completed SEAL training with Class 164 in 1990, launching him into a twenty-two-year career with the SEAL teams that would take him across the world.

Deployed many times, Hatch was involved in over 150 direct action missions in all the places you’ve heard about and a few you haven’t. His military career ended in 2009, when he was severely injured on his final mission. His life was saved by his teammates and the working dog on his team, marking the beginning of a long and challenging recovery.

Following eighteen surgeries, Hatch left the hospital facing a new battle with mental health struggles. Determined to find purpose beyond his own struggles, he founded Spike’s K9 Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the welfare of the nation’s working K9s, honoring the loyalty and courage of his own canine comrades. Hatch also co-authored Touching the Dragon: And Other Techniques for Surviving Life’s Wars, sharing insights on resilience and recovery. Jimmy has traveled far and wide, giving speeches on his experiences to help others prepare for when life gets tough.

In 2019, Hatch embarked on a new journey, studying the humanities at Yale University. He graduated in 2024. Now, he is working on a second book as he works part-time for Yale Admissions and serves as a lecturer at the Jackson School of Global Affairs.

Spikes K9: https://spikesk9fund.org/

Today's Sponsors:

Montana Knife Company: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com

Brunt:

For a limited time, listeners get $10 off at BRUNT when you use code "clearedhot" at checkout. Just head to https://Bruntworkwear.com, use the code "clearedhot," and you’re good to go. After your order, they’ll ask where you heard about BRUNT—do me a favor and tell them it was from this show.

-The new series continues!

Michael and I sat down today and discussed a few topics through the lens of experience in different decades of life. For those of you familiar with the show, you know that often on Friday I answer Q and A. Today is no different, except that Michael is joining me to give his perspective from a younger generation:

-Men Proposing to Ai

-National Guard Usage in LA Riots

-Gas problems and Aqua Dueces in BUD/s

-Epstein Prosecutors being fired

Today's Sponsors:

Spartan Forge:

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David:

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