What started as a one-man operation in a garage is now one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in western Montana. 

Montana Knife Company will celebrate the grand opening of its new 51,000-square-foot facility on Saturday, April 11, inviting the public inside for a daylong open house that blends business, craftsmanship and community. 

The event, scheduled from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., will give visitors a firsthand look at how the company’s knives are made, while also introducing a new on-site coffee shop, Black Rifle Coffee Company-Missoula, and the company’s own factory store. The event is at 8659 Robbins Road in Missoula and is free to attend. 

For founder and master bladesmith Josh Smith, the new building represents more than just expansion. 

“This facility is more than just a building; it’s a commitment to Missoula and to American manufacturing,” Smith said. “We started in a garage with a vision to build the best knives possible. Now we’re able to bring that vision to life in a bigger way than ever before.”

Founded in Frenchtown in 2020, Montana Knife Company has grown quickly, riding a wave of demand for American-made outdoor gear. The new headquarters marks the company’s third major expansion and signals a long-term investment in keeping manufacturing local. 

That growth is expected to ripple beyond the shop floor. Company leaders say the facility will create skilled manufacturing jobs and support local families, while recent infrastructure upgrades tied to the project, especially improvements to water systems, are designed to benefit future development in the surrounding area as well. 

The space is also intended to be more than a workplace. Plans include community-oriented uses such as hunter education courses and events that bring people together under one roof.

Visitors to the April 11 open house can expect more than just a ribbon cutting. The first 50 people through the door will receive swag bags, and guided tours will run throughout the day, offering a behind-the-scenes look at knife production. A formal kickoff at 10 a.m. will include remarks from Smith and co-founder Brandon Horoho, along with guest appearances tied to the coffee company partnership. 

Hourly raffles, food trucks and exclusive merchandise in the new factory store will round out the event, giving attendees a mix of shopping, food and entertainment. 

Even with the new facility up and running, Smith says the company is just getting started. 

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “The new headquarters gives us the ability to grow, innovate and continue building knives that are meant to be used for generations, all while staying true to where we came from.” 

"We built this in Montana, for Montana. This new headquarters is proof of what homegrown grit and entrepreneurship can accomplish, and we’re proud to be creating around 50 jobs in the region this year alone, most of them skilled trade roles that offer real opportunity for local families. With the addition of the Black Rifle Coffee shop, we’re also creating a space where the community can come together, host events and be part of what we’re building. I’d personally invite our neighbors in Mineral and Sanders County to come see it for themselves and be part of this next chapter.” Smith stated. 

For a company that began with a single craftsman and a vision, the day marks both a milestone and a sign of how far a small Montana startup can go without leaving its roots behind.