My 14 year old is a computer kid. He knows all the computer things, started making his own games (which his friends play) since he was 8, makes gaming videos on UA-cam, and is a band kid. He wants to make video games for a living. He’s been preparing himself for getting into college since 7th grade. He’s taking welding this year. When I asked him why (so proud because I grew up on the ranch, veteran, welder, oilfield, and EMT) he told me that it’s because he knows that if things don’t work out or if he has to pay his way through college he knows that he can support himself if he can weld. I’m such a proud dad!
I recommend your son to learn either Godot Engine or if they are really adventurous learn Unreal Engine. I do Unreal Engine every morning from 6:30-7:30AM in my AStartup #HoSe (Hour of Seconds). It's fun.
my brother was a lineman. he loved turning the lights on for people. storm breaks. pure excitement talking about power. lived on the road for 25 years, lost him to heart attack last year. r.i.p. bubba
The only labor Mike Rowe has done is pretending to be a tradesman on a TV set for $200,000 an episode. Rowe went to college and became an actor. He saw Tool Time in the 1990's and decided that was a cool thing to copy.
I just listened and watched real men have a real conversation about becoming or growing into being men. I'm just an undereducated 57 year old man who has been working with his hands in the trades for 40+ years and this episode made me MORE proud of what I do and who I am. Thank you Mike and Josh for that episode and by the way I got my first knife when I was 7 years old it was a Buck 110 and I learned to sharpen it and I'm that guy everyone brings their knives to sharpen,I like to say "I have no use for a dull knife except to sharpen it." Great podcast!
I'm a 66 year old woman and I still split my own wood. Two cord, every fall, keeping myself cozy every winter. The smell, the sound of a round when it pops apart, stacking it in neat rows, living the dream!
Growing up in my home there was a wooden sign on the wall that said “he who cuts his own firewood is twice warmed”. Sounds like you should have this sign too!
I had a high-school student that was the smartest math student we ever had. Strait A. The teachers freaked out when he did not go to college. His family were painters and he loved painting interiors. He did not like my CNC class so my wife and I helped him do business plan to own his own company. Loves what he is doing making great money and no student loan to pay off.
I love how Josh's wife said go out in the shop, build your dream and be a man, I'm here to support you. Now she is reaping the rewards of her confidence and understanding of her husband. God bless you both!
Mine did the same thing. Shut up and do it. Lol I now have 2 powerhammers with one arm and friends with forged in fire contestants and the man Jason knight. Great journey
I remember when he was just a Child. He could make knives that would make my eyeballs melt. Fire blue, pearl, with Damascus. I wish I could get to that level. He was doing it just as a kid.
Growing up, my dad and i loved to fish together. Nothing fancy, just bluegill and catfish, and an occasional snapper or softshell turtle. We scaled and filleted the bluegill. I would scale them with a kitchen spoon, and dad would fillet them. Almost every Saturday afternoon in the summer, you could find us sitting at the picnic table cleaning fish. By the time i was 13, i could scale a big bull gill with 5 or 6 strokes of a spoon on each side, but i could never keep up with dad filleting them. Normally it was only 15 or so fish, but when we ice fished it was anywhere between 40 and 150 bluegill a day. I always assumed that it must be pretty easy to fillet a bluegill. Then i graduated college in the late 90s and moved a few hours away and started fishing more on my own. I quickly learned that fileting bluegill was NOT an easy task. After 15 years or so, i got half way decent at it. I always assumed there was something special about dads filet knife. I could tell it wa a buck knife by the handle, but I had never seen one with a blade shaped quite like it. Finally, about 5 or 10 years ago, while we were cleaning some gills, I asked him where he got it because id never been able to find one like it. Turns out that it was just a regular 4" buck hunting knife. It wasn't even a filet knife. I asked him what he used to reshape the blade because i knew the only tool he had was a 6" bench grinder. He said he didn’t. I gave him the confused dog look and he said something along the lines of "I wasn't always married and working 7 days a week. Beforeyou were born i fished 7 days a week. One year me and Stouty (an old fishing buddy) took 3,200 crappie out of this lake. This knife looks this way because i had to sharpen it so often." Ill be 50 soon and he's 75. When he's gone, that knife is one of the few things of his that i want.
What an awesome story. My Dad passed at 91 last year. I spent a lot of time Salmon fishing with him. Got a lot of his old fishing stuff too. Thanks for sharing that story.
Grew up in rural idaho a log home my dad built himself hand scraping the bark with draw knives he made out of sharpened truck springs with conduit handles welded to each end. My parents were self employed and as kids we had to work for every penny to our name. My perents owned apartments and we did it all ourselves. Painting, cleaning, lawn care, Plumbing, electrical, furniture mover, you name it we did it. Or at least helped do it with our dad and mom. I had to pay my own way since I was 12 and am so greatful for a hard working upbringing in rural idaho in a log home my dad built. Greatest gift my parents could have given me.
Great interview. have been watching MKC grow over the last couple of years. At 67 I have been asked by my grandchild and grand nieces and nephews if I always have a knife in my pocket. My answer to them is I have had a knife in my pocket since I was 10 years old, the old boy scout knives is where I started, and was very common with my generation. My son has purchased a couple MKC knives and raves about them. My Brother in law, Son, Nephew in laws gift each other knifes at birthdays and holidays. I look forward to seeing where Josh takes the folding knife business he is planning. Mike Rowe brings another important guest to the American public.
By the way. You guys just cost me money. My husband and I just sent our son one of your knives for his birthday on Monday. I trust anyone who Mike trusts. I am sure it will come in handy for his hunting trip. My husband grew up in Stevensville, Montana.👍🥰. When the pocket knives come out we will be there.
I’m 53. My tool collection started when I was 5 when my grandfather gave me an old flathead screwdriver. That screwdriver was well worn when it was given to me and its main function was a small pry bar. I still use that screwdriver almost every day because it is perfectly suited and sized for some little job I’m tinkering on around the house.
Reminds me, from within stories of America, of what it ALL once was. I cheer for those who strike forth, break the mold, and benefit all who surround. This interview was a novel of truth.
I was on the last session of forged in fire. I lost my blade broke. I had asked them if I could have it back they told me no because it was part of the aired show so now it was theirs. I think josh was on the show when it first started and it probably was more about the knife maker. I was at the end and they definitely did so shade stuff. It was definitely a fun experience. I wish I could have got my broken blade back.
I loved this show. It brought back found memories of going to knife shows all over the southeast with my dad. I hadn’t thought of Blade magazine since my dad passed. He was friends with both Bruce Voyles & Jim Parker. My dad, Paul Davis, was a collector of antique cutlery. He was considered the foremost authority in the 1980-early 1990s.
Montana is not for wimps. It's damn cold in the winter, fishing many of the famous streams is great, if you can stand the mosquitoes, and the distances are long, the back roads challenging. .Yet, each morning, views of the landscape are uplifting while meeting the majority of the inhabitants you will find are grounded in the earth. This is the America we wanted to be, and it is still there. Whether it is Missoula, or Kalispell (we used to called it Cow's bell) , Deer Lodge, Twin Bridges or Billings. My mother was born in Montana, and proud of it. Go there and meet real America.
I grew up with a Dad who loved to work build things,repair things,he was an amazing machinist and gunsmith. We commercial fished in the Florida Keys, repaired our own boats and cars and all the while took on any job that substained us. My children grew up in similar circumstances watching us work for our needs. They have grown up to be amazing men the youngest 40 yoa Is a formen of a line crew having worked through the ranks for 21 years. My oldest son who is 42 has been a Firefighter for 21 years and is now the assistant Chef of a medium size FD they didn’t get these jobs handed to them they worked long hard hours took every opportunity to train and advance. I can only pray that my grandchildren follow in the same footsteps.
2 of my favorite people!! Lol I’m a single man blacksmith and holster company in Kentucky. You encouraged me years ago and Josh makes me realize I CAN do it!!…. I just have to do it!! Thanks guys, even tho you’ll never see this haha 😂 seriously, thank you both! 👍
Love this episode for so many reasons! 1) As a former principal and an avid supporter of CTE, this man’s story and example is so real and inspiring, 2) the embedded parenting and family values (families who work together) stories are what we need to revive in our country, and 3) Mike Rowe in that tshirt is extra sauce!
Absolutely one of the best interviews ever. That man is amazing . His never give up attitude and belief in the American way is what's missing in the world today. And his work ethic is what's missing everywhere
Damn great interview! The two people here are what we need for this country. If I were younger, I would strive to be a lineman. It's amazing that there are so many trades today that do not have enough young people considering welding, plumbing, electrician, lineman, etc ---- in most cases you can get this training for free, or at least affordable, and 10 years later you are making 100k.
I had the pleasure of moving and restoring my 4th Great Grandfather’s log cabin he built in 1820. The craftsmanship of the cabin corner joints is incredible. They slope in 2 directions forcing the joints together. The chinking was a chore!
My mother still lives in the log cabin, built by my grandfather in 1947. It has a few wonky spots as a tenant enclosed the sides to the ground, causing some rot in the pylons. My grandfather was a master. His biggest mistake was twofold- not copyrighting the saw blade he developed to notch logs for his prefabricated log cabins that still exist through Alaska. The second mistake was selling too much stock in the company to the "friends" he was in business with. They kicked him out and lost it all. Look up the Anchorage Tourism Center. He designed and built it.
@@robertahartley9859 That is a great and a sad story! My father did the same with a Machine shop he started! He felt that all the workers should own a part of the Shop 59:09 so he sold them shares! Eventually when he retired they could not buy him out, so they held half his shares for 5 years, when he went to collect his other half, the fast talking company accountant talked him into accepting a value that was based on the original value and not what it was worth at that time but what he was offered 8 years previously! My father did not understand the future value of money and how values change over time! He also did not take any profit out of the company in all the years he worked!
25years master electricain then startered building substations omg loved it all over northeast 2018 had stroke the company still calls to see if i can return to work miss it so much
I wish I could go back in time and repeat my high school days specifically because of my shop and welding class that is all but vanished from schools today. That’s really unfortunate for the future of America and the world. I learned how to build a shed. Along with how to use a welder and table saw. I was very proud of myself for that. My teacher rewarded me with the wood and metal shed that I had built in the class. So I in return gifted it to my father who was very impressed by my abilities to create things from scratch with my hands. I eventually became a landscape designer and started working with a local company designing landscape projects for future construction projects that eventually became bigger projects that we were not prepared for but we made it work and it’s made me a very successful strong independent gentleman!
Great interview of a man that followed his dream, Although it took a long time and with the eright encourage and tempered will is making his dream come true. I recommended this interview to 3 of my grandsons encouraging them to make time to watch it.
Your idea with the warehouse is excellent. I grew up on a farm and learned the importance of responsibility and hard work. A program like that will work. I couldn’t stand school but put me in a real life situation and I thrive. Workman’s comp insurance regulations need to be fixed also. Having an oil company the insurance would not let me hire anyone younger than 21. A 14 to 18 year old is easier to teach than a 21 year old with bad habits. The risk is the same no experience is no experience.
A truly inspirational life story. It is not what you do, it's being the best at what you do. Kids need to see this over and over again. Keep the dream alive.
I’m a 57 year Old retired fire/medic. I got into knife making because my sons were interested in it. They don’t have “time” to do it due to life. I’ve been going about 5 years. Injuries set me back for 2 of those. I love the craft and very much enjoyed the podcast. I started with heirloom knives I made from recycled materials my grandfather had used in his life and gave them To uncles and cousins. Hope to be good enough to sale some one day.
It's cool he mentioned that show. I got into knife making because of that show. I built my own propane forge, got a really nice Peter Wright anvil for 2 quarts of maple syrup. Saw a big log on the side of the road, got that and trimmed it down for my base to put my anvil on. Since then, I really couldn't tell you how many knives I've made. Taught a few young kids and they made knives of their own. I learned just by watching. I didn't have a mentor. That was 10 years ago? I just turned 54. It's never too late to learn. If I don't learn something new everyday I'm dissapointed with myself. That means I wasn't out doing something. I bought your book too BTW.
as a business owner of a couple business in Montana that came from nothing this was a Great video Mike you are our voice to the world keep up great work
What a great episode. There are so many "nuggets" in this conversation. All of them resonate with me since I grew up in a similar environment in eastern Oregon around hard working people. I became interested in knives at a very young age and still have the first one my dad brought back from a hunting trip in Alaska when I was around 4 or 5 years old. I started collecting knives and a friend of my dad's started teaching me about different types of knives when I was just a kid. When he came to visit each year, he would bring a few knives to trade with me. I learned valuable skills as a teenager in mechanic shop classes, machine shop classes and wood shop, etc. I was able to use these skills in some of my first jobs, etc. Fast forward to just 5 or 6 years ago, I started making knives. I'm a hobby knife maker and have made knives that were sold mostly to friends as gifts. I spent about 3 years making knives before I was confident in the fact I had made a good tool worthy of someone paying me for. The concept you guys discussed regarding the trades is incredible. As a 55 year old man, I wish I had learned more about framing, household electrical, etc even though I did learn alot of other skills. My eldest son did a few "dirty jobs" such as concrete work, well drilling and more, then decided to skip college and get into HVAC. At 23, he is a lead man with a large locally owned company and has apprentices working for him. As his father, I can only take part of the credit for his interest in working with his hands. He was offered his first job in HVAC standing around a camp fire in our deer camp. Young people just need the opportunity to learn skills and for someone to take an interest in them.
Thank you for bringing Josh Smith on. He is amazing. I still haven't been able to grab an MKC knife yet bc I work evenings and I always am working when they drop, but I will get my hands on one one of these days. Cant wait to use one. They are truly works of art. God bless America and people like him. As well as you Mike Rowe, you are a Patriot!
My 12 year old is standing on a 10 inch round log and using my 2x72. I'm so proud. We finished his first knife last week and I'm hoping I can keep him interested in it.
As a kid growing up my elderly next door neighbour burned wood and the entire neighbourhood of kids would show up and split and stack the entire pile every year within a couple of hours. We loved it and looked forward to it every year.
Very much so enjoyed these two gentlemens conversation. Most importantly the idea life is what you make of it. In the most humble way I've done the same. After 11 foster home, 15 different schools, no Dad, Mom died when I was 14 after a decade and a half of trying to get custody of me. I never quit school (In was a heavy metal head pot head punk) I ended up getting a GED, joined the USAF as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Journeymen, th😅e C141 Flight Engineer. Then crossed into Environmental Compliance. Faught in Dessert Storm, earned two degrees, then retired from AF and was hired at Space Shuttle program as a Technical Instructor for the Solid Rocket Booster division. Life is definitely what you make of it and when someone says "No You Can't" do that please take it as a challenge and do it anyway!!! I'm 56 now and 100% Combat Wounded Veteran and dying of Leukemia and lung cancer do to that service. I just wish I could share more with young people who think there is no way "out" of whatever situation they're in. God Bless. Be safe
@billc8886 Dude, as another heavy metal pot head punk, I sometimes listen to people's recollections of their fathers and think about people like you for perspective. When I was a teen, my gf's father died of lung cancer and I never told him how much I respected him for raising such a fine daughter. My folks are still around but my little kid has never met them. Are there people in your life who can't talk? Can you do it for them?
I love listening to your podcasts (in YT LOL) while I'm in my shop. This was a really good one because I needed the reminder from Josh that things don't happen overnight. I started a leatherworking business when I was 44, and that was after getting a masters in business and working in the corporate field of defenese and aerospace for several years. Then several odd jobs after moving with my husband to a different town for his job. I did grow up in the country and helped my dad with all the things, and I'm no stranger to the hauling and stacking of wood LOL But my dad has alwasy been a woodworker, draftsman, home builder and now owns a machine shop. My mom sewed a lot of our Sunday clothes when we were kids because money was tight. I feel like doing something with my hands just comes naturally and when kids are exposed to those sorts of things, they do too. I think it's innately human to build and create, but unfortunately, not enough of them are exposed to those opportunities.
Thank-you Mike and Josh. Grew up on a small farm on the Great Plains. Getting upper there in years now but there is a story and a river runs through it.
in highschool we had building trades, a class where we built a house. We didn't wreck the house at the end of the year, it was sold, mostly to pay for the lot and the materials. We had a chance to see which of the trades we liked or were better at. My high school also had auto mechanics. Both of these classes were half day classes so you could only pick one. I was really torn on which one to take
Greetings from south central BC thanks so much for the video, it's been one of your best on a number of levels. As a retired guy who made a living with my hands for most of those years, this message is timely and timeless at the same moment. Merry Christmas to you all.
A funny little story about knives. I was getting ready to board a greyhound bus in Houston, Texas for a back packing trip in Idaho shortly after 911. There’s an officer screening all the riders as they board the bus. He asks me if I have any weapons on me. I ask him to clarify what a weapon is. He says guns or knives. Well I have a pocket knife in my pocket, a hunting knife on my belt, and a couple of other knives in my backpack. I have a flare gun and a stun gun in my backpack because we’re going into bear country. He looks at me in bewilderment and asks me why so many weapons? I said that each one has a purpose and I aimed to be prepared. He shook his head and asked me to put them all in my backpack and checked it in the luggage compartment to my destination. Amazingly all of them made it all the way to Idaho. Before I came back I mailed most of them home and didn’t admit to having the pocketknife on the trip home.
It is baffling how so many people do not understand backpacking or camping or scuba diving. Their hobbies includes going home and watching TV. Their outdoor activities include driving by the green belt on the way to work.
Coincidentally, I just received my first purchase from MKC (just a honing rod) so I was pleased to see who your guest was. Great interview and a great story. I collect and make knives, but my full time work is as a trial lawyer.
I have Cutco Knives in my kitchen and have had them for 50 years. They are made in America and 100% guanteed for life. I can send them in and they will sharpen them. Also if I break one ,and my grandson did once, they will replace it no questions asked. They are high quality and extremely sharp. They have been in business for 75 years. That has always impressed me.
Great video and honestly this is what America is.Love the interview thanks Mike.I’m a lead cable splicer myself and its makes me feel the satisfaction of knowing i keep the lights on day after day knowing people take for granted when the flick that light switch and power comes on and those people not knowing what that tradesman went through to get that job done.I will say its a thankless job for sure.
Knife maker for 11 years. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. My knives are better lol 😂. So happy to see someone in this tiny community doing big things. Excellent
Great interview. You touched on two reasons that the present generation does not revere or respect work like I think previous ones have. The first is kids don't get the opportunity to really work. Sure they have chores but not work that you can really be proud of. Josh touched on it when he said he was five and operating his fathers backhoe. I bet he had a real sense of pride and accomplishment in doing that. I think I was six when I first was allowed in the field. I was not big or strong enough to push the clutch on the tractor, so dad or grandpa would get me going then jump off and I would use the dump rake to sweep scatterings (bit of hay the rake and farm-all had not picked up) That was over 50 years ago but I still remember how I felt being able to be in the field and do something that made a difference. Now, child protective services would probably be called if you went to school and bragged about getting to do that. Second is we did work for fun, for a social event. Josh also touched on this when he talked about going home to his father's and shingling a roof. If one of our family needed a house painted or something resingled it was not something that was hired out. My grandparents, cousins, aunt, uncles and my family would show up on a Saturday morning. Grandma and a couple of others would start cooking and then rest of us would get to work. We could paint a house in a day. We all talked, heard the family stories, ate and worked. The work was part of a social event. I don't see families do that anymore. One we had moved apart, perhaps hundreds of miles from grandma and grandpa. The other thing is sports. Now kids have soccer or little league on weekends. I did not have that. Sports were after school with a game on Thursday or Friday. I think both of those type of events instilled a respect or at least not a dislike or disdain for manual labor and the trades. And if you talk to Josh again tell him I have a copy of his fathers first backhoe, a 1972 Ford with no cab and four valves rather than joy sticks. I have plenty of dirt to move if he desires to relive some of his childhood.
God Bless People like this that made and make America! Great job Mike for bringing these people to us - ordering those babies!!! ANDDDDDDDDDD been buying your whisky from the beginning - excellent - we are auto 2 bottles a month!
We need more Mike Rowes to teach young people how to work hard and develop a craft or artistic skill by learning that hard work is rewarding and fulfilling 👍
Kids could build sheds in High School and sell them to pay for the next year's project. People could volunteer to each them. Like Habitat for Humanity.
I like Josh's Idea about building the big warehouse for the kids to build out, I am a designer and would like to see that happen and add the design portion of the process in other words add the drafting and design portion teaching the kids to use the CAD (computer aided drafting and manual drafting) application. I have extensive experience in this field and would love to help.
I have been hearing good things about MKC and after hearing this interview I will be picking one up for sure. FYI I grew up in the burbs of LA and my dad owned a backhoe company so not all city kids don’t get exposed to that lifestyle. I worked my way up from shovel and broom to head Estimator in the trades. Love stories like this
I listen to a few knife podcasts. I love learning about steels, heat treat, old factories etc. My real interest is in stuff like this outside the shop.
Josh you made me even more a fan. I'm over here in Cd'a and have one of your shirts because there BadA$$. Now I have to buy a blade. And Mike thank you bringing people like Josh to for front of what makes America Great.
Loved the conversation. A quintessential American story. Just loved it. When you mentioned having portable training centers, it really struck a nerve with me. I've been training HVAC technicians in the woods by a lake for 18 years. I bring the training to their area. I hope more training companies understand this dynamic.
Remember back when I was a kid on the farm. (I’m 82 Years old). Every kid carried a pocketknife, it seemed. Of course as kids we would get in fights with each other from time to time. No one pulled out their knife in anger or threatened another with it. We carried them to school also, with no second thought. I would imagine a knife in school would create a panic now days. I still carry a pocketknife knife as a tool.
Love this! One son is an apprentice electrical lineman, one is an Ag diesel mechanic. My husband is a plumbing contractor. My dream is to help drive youth to trades to build a better America.
We had a great big wood pile in the backyard. There were 5 of us kids. If we were fighting, my parents made up move the wood pile from one spot in the yard, all the way across the yard until we were too tired to fight. It worked!
My 14 year old is a computer kid. He knows all the computer things, started making his own games (which his friends play) since he was 8, makes gaming videos on UA-cam, and is a band kid. He wants to make video games for a living. He’s been preparing himself for getting into college since 7th grade. He’s taking welding this year. When I asked him why (so proud because I grew up on the ranch, veteran, welder, oilfield, and EMT) he told me that it’s because he knows that if things don’t work out or if he has to pay his way through college he knows that he can support himself if he can weld. I’m such a proud dad!
You did well raising that boy.
God bless you and your family 🙏❤️
I recommend your son to learn either Godot Engine or if they are really adventurous learn Unreal Engine. I do Unreal Engine every morning from 6:30-7:30AM in my AStartup #HoSe (Hour of Seconds). It's fun.
My heart swells with pride for your young man in training.❤
You got a good kid there, chip of the ole block huh? If you can weld, you can work anywhere for as much money as he wants to make. It's fun too!
I asked my 16 year old nephew what he is excited about in school this year? he replied," welding". Please don't change, this America!!! Cheers.
Hey I guess lung cancer is better than a fentanyl addiction.
i took welding shop in highschool and i really liked it
He is a future hero
They could teach a whole school year on welding and still wouldn't know it all
I loved welding and I’m super happy I learned how to do it in high school, I weld pretty frequently in the shop.
my brother was a lineman. he loved turning the lights on for people. storm breaks. pure excitement talking about power. lived on the road for 25 years, lost him to heart attack last year. r.i.p. bubba
The only labor Mike Rowe has done is pretending to be a tradesman on a TV set for $200,000 an episode. Rowe went to college and became an actor. He saw Tool Time in the 1990's and decided that was a cool thing to copy.
My sincere condolences. 😢
@@rwdchannel2901- Jealous?
I will pray for this brothers soul!!!
@@rwdchannel2901why are you making this comment on a post like this?
I just listened and watched real men have a real conversation about becoming or growing into being men. I'm just an undereducated 57 year old man who has been working with his hands in the trades for 40+ years and this episode made me MORE proud of what I do and who I am. Thank you Mike and Josh for that episode and by the way I got my first knife when I was 7 years old it was a Buck 110 and I learned to sharpen it and I'm that guy everyone brings their knives to sharpen,I like to say "I have no use for a dull knife except to sharpen it." Great podcast!
Education over rated. Hard working, well intentioned individuals is what keeps this world sane.
I'm a 66 year old woman and I still split my own wood. Two cord, every fall, keeping myself cozy every winter. The smell, the sound of a round when it pops apart, stacking it in neat rows, living the dream!
Growing up in my home there was a wooden sign on the wall that said “he who cuts his own firewood is twice warmed”. Sounds like you should have this sign too!
Warms a body twice.
I had a high-school student that was the smartest math student we ever had. Strait A.
The teachers freaked out when he did not go to college.
His family were painters and he loved painting interiors.
He did not like my CNC class so my wife and I helped him do business plan to own his own company. Loves what he is doing making great money and no student loan to pay off.
17 year old children working!!!! Horrers!!!!!!!!!
If you love the work you do you will never work a day in your life!
Mike Rowe, you're on a roll with your videos
I love how Josh's wife said go out in the shop, build your dream and be a man, I'm here to support you. Now she is reaping the rewards of her confidence and understanding of her husband. God bless you both!
That's why Montana is full of billionaires.
Mine did the same thing. Shut up and do it. Lol I now have 2 powerhammers with one arm and friends with forged in fire contestants and the man Jason knight. Great journey
Building a knife is an art form. God bless Mike and Josh.
I remember when he was just a Child. He could make knives that would make my eyeballs melt. Fire blue, pearl, with Damascus. I wish I could get to that level. He was doing it just as a kid.
Growing up, my dad and i loved to fish together. Nothing fancy, just bluegill and catfish, and an occasional snapper or softshell turtle. We scaled and filleted the bluegill. I would scale them with a kitchen spoon, and dad would fillet them. Almost every Saturday afternoon in the summer, you could find us sitting at the picnic table cleaning fish. By the time i was 13, i could scale a big bull gill with 5 or 6 strokes of a spoon on each side, but i could never keep up with dad filleting them. Normally it was only 15 or so fish, but when we ice fished it was anywhere between 40 and 150 bluegill a day. I always assumed that it must be pretty easy to fillet a bluegill. Then i graduated college in the late 90s and moved a few hours away and started fishing more on my own. I quickly learned that fileting bluegill was NOT an easy task. After 15 years or so, i got half way decent at it. I always assumed there was something special about dads filet knife. I could tell it wa a buck knife by the handle, but I had never seen one with a blade shaped quite like it. Finally, about 5 or 10 years ago, while we were cleaning some gills, I asked him where he got it because id never been able to find one like it. Turns out that it was just a regular 4" buck hunting knife. It wasn't even a filet knife. I asked him what he used to reshape the blade because i knew the only tool he had was a 6" bench grinder. He said he didn’t. I gave him the confused dog look and he said something along the lines of "I wasn't always married and working 7 days a week. Beforeyou were born i fished 7 days a week. One year me and Stouty (an old fishing buddy) took 3,200 crappie out of this lake. This knife looks this way because i had to sharpen it so often." Ill be 50 soon and he's 75. When he's gone, that knife is one of the few things of his that i want.
What an awesome story. My Dad passed at 91 last year. I spent a lot of time Salmon fishing with him. Got a lot of his old fishing stuff too. Thanks for sharing that story.
Grew up in rural idaho a log home my dad built himself hand scraping the bark with draw knives he made out of sharpened truck springs with conduit handles welded to each end. My parents were self employed and as kids we had to work for every penny to our name. My perents owned apartments and we did it all ourselves. Painting, cleaning, lawn care, Plumbing, electrical, furniture mover, you name it we did it. Or at least helped do it with our dad and mom. I had to pay my own way since I was 12 and am so greatful for a hard working upbringing in rural idaho in a log home my dad built. Greatest gift my parents could have given me.
What America needs is Mike Rowe for President and people like Josh Smith in his cabinet!
Mike shared in a different video that RFK Jr asked him to be his VP running mate, but Mike declined.
And he can build a cabinet!
If he'd have accepted RFK would have probably have some. 😂😂😂
Mike is too honest for politics
I'm 66 and a knife gal. I love knives and have a lot of them.😊
Great interview. have been watching MKC grow over the last couple of years. At 67 I have been asked by my grandchild and grand nieces and nephews if I always have a knife in my pocket. My answer to them is I have had a knife in my pocket since I was 10 years old, the old boy scout knives is where I started, and was very common with my generation. My son has purchased a couple MKC knives and raves about them. My Brother in law, Son, Nephew in laws gift each other knifes at birthdays and holidays. I look forward to seeing where Josh takes the folding knife business he is planning. Mike Rowe brings another important guest to the American public.
By the way. You guys just cost me money. My husband and I just sent our son one of your knives for his birthday on Monday. I trust anyone who Mike trusts. I am sure it will come in handy for his hunting trip. My husband grew up in Stevensville, Montana.👍🥰. When the pocket knives come out we will be there.
I’m 53. My tool collection started when I was 5 when my grandfather gave me an old flathead screwdriver. That screwdriver was well worn when it was given to me and its main function was a small pry bar. I still use that screwdriver almost every day because it is perfectly suited and sized for some little job I’m tinkering on around the house.
Reminds me, from within stories of America, of what it ALL once was.
I cheer for those who strike forth, break the mold, and benefit all who surround.
This interview was a novel of truth.
I was on the last session of forged in fire. I lost my blade broke. I had asked them if I could have it back they told me no because it was part of the aired show so now it was theirs. I think josh was on the show when it first started and it probably was more about the knife maker. I was at the end and they definitely did so shade stuff. It was definitely a fun experience. I wish I could have got my broken blade back.
I loved this show. It brought back found memories of going to knife shows all over the southeast with my dad.
I hadn’t thought of Blade magazine since my dad passed. He was friends with both Bruce Voyles & Jim Parker. My dad, Paul Davis, was a collector of antique cutlery. He was considered the foremost authority in the 1980-early 1990s.
Montana is not for wimps. It's damn cold in the winter, fishing many of the famous streams is great, if you can stand the mosquitoes, and the distances are long, the back roads challenging. .Yet, each morning, views of the landscape are uplifting while meeting the majority of the inhabitants you will find are grounded in the earth. This is the America we wanted to be, and it is still there. Whether it is Missoula, or Kalispell (we used to called it Cow's bell) , Deer Lodge, Twin Bridges or Billings. My mother was born in Montana, and proud of it. Go there and meet real America.
I would say "real America" exists throughout USA. I've lived all over, I can't say it's gate kept by only Montana
"The Winters are tough".
Sounds rough, Bud. 😆 🇨🇦🍻
I’ll take the Montana winters over Cali bums any day, btw Missoula is a freak show
People actually live in Canada.. MT is cold but not that cold.
I grew up with a Dad who loved to work build things,repair things,he was an amazing machinist and gunsmith. We commercial fished in the Florida Keys, repaired our own boats and cars and all the while took on any job that substained us. My children grew up in similar circumstances watching us work for our needs. They have grown up to be amazing men the youngest 40 yoa Is a formen of a line crew having worked through the ranks for 21 years. My oldest son who is 42 has been a Firefighter for 21 years and is now the assistant Chef of a medium size FD they didn’t get these jobs handed to them they worked long hard hours took every opportunity to train and advance. I can only pray that my grandchildren follow in the same footsteps.
2 of my favorite people!! Lol I’m a single man blacksmith and holster company in Kentucky. You encouraged me years ago and Josh makes me realize I CAN do it!!…. I just have to do it!! Thanks guys, even tho you’ll never see this haha 😂 seriously, thank you both! 👍
I've purchased multiple knives from Montana Knife Company. Tools built for those that actually work. Haven't been disappointed yet!
Love this episode for so many reasons! 1) As a former principal and an avid supporter of CTE, this man’s story and example is so real and inspiring, 2) the embedded parenting and family values (families who work together) stories are what we need to revive in our country, and 3) Mike Rowe in that tshirt is extra sauce!
Absolutely one of the best interviews ever. That man is amazing . His never give up attitude and belief in the American way is what's missing in the world today. And his work ethic is what's missing everywhere
Damn great interview!
The two people here are what we need for this country. If I were younger, I would strive to be a lineman.
It's amazing that there are so many trades today that do not have enough young people considering welding, plumbing, electrician, lineman, etc ---- in most cases you can get this training for free, or at least affordable, and 10 years later you are making 100k.
Bill Lucket made me one heck of a knife when I was stationed in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. Still have it, and it’s still my fav.
I had the pleasure of moving and restoring my 4th Great Grandfather’s log cabin he built in 1820. The craftsmanship of the cabin corner joints is incredible. They slope in 2 directions forcing the joints together. The chinking was a chore!
My mother still lives in the log cabin, built by my grandfather in 1947. It has a few wonky spots as a tenant enclosed the sides to the ground, causing some rot in the pylons. My grandfather was a master. His biggest mistake was twofold- not copyrighting the saw blade he developed to notch logs for his prefabricated log cabins that still exist through Alaska. The second mistake was selling too much stock in the company to the "friends" he was in business with. They kicked him out and lost it all. Look up the Anchorage Tourism Center. He designed and built it.
@@robertahartley9859 That is a great and a sad story! My father did the same with a Machine shop he started! He felt that all the workers should own a part of the Shop 59:09 so he sold them shares! Eventually when he retired they could not buy him out, so they held half his shares for 5 years, when he went to collect his other half, the fast talking company accountant talked him into accepting a value that was based on the original value and not what it was worth at that time but what he was offered 8 years previously! My father did not understand the future value of money and how values change over time! He also did not take any profit out of the company in all the years he worked!
25years master electricain then startered building substations omg loved it all over northeast 2018 had stroke the company still calls to see if i can return to work miss it so much
Unbelievably inspiring. This should be shown in high schools.. and congress. Thank you.
I wish I could go back in time and repeat my high school days specifically because of my shop and welding class that is all but vanished from schools today. That’s really unfortunate for the future of America and the world. I learned how to build a shed. Along with how to use a welder and table saw. I was very proud of myself for that. My teacher rewarded me with the wood and metal shed that I had built in the class. So I in return gifted it to my father who was very impressed by my abilities to create things from scratch with my hands. I eventually became a landscape designer and started working with a local company designing landscape projects for future construction projects that eventually became bigger projects that we were not prepared for but we made it work and it’s made me a very successful strong independent gentleman!
Great interview of a man that followed his dream, Although it took a long time and with the eright encourage and tempered will is making his dream come true. I recommended this interview to 3 of my grandsons encouraging them to make time to watch it.
Your idea with the warehouse is excellent. I grew up on a farm and learned the importance of responsibility and hard work. A program like that will work. I couldn’t stand school but put me in a real life situation and I thrive.
Workman’s comp insurance regulations need to be fixed also. Having an oil company the insurance would not let me hire anyone younger than 21.
A 14 to 18 year old is easier to teach than a 21 year old with bad habits. The risk is the same no experience is no experience.
A wonderful episode and a great story. I’m constantly humbled by the stories of perseverance and staying the path of very successful entrepreneurs.
A truly inspirational life story. It is not what you do, it's being the best at what you do. Kids need to see this over and over again. Keep the dream alive.
I’m a 57 year
Old retired fire/medic. I got into knife making because my sons were interested in it. They don’t have “time” to do it due to life. I’ve been going about 5 years. Injuries set me back for 2 of those. I love the craft and very much enjoyed the podcast. I started with heirloom knives I made from recycled materials my grandfather had used in his life and gave them
To uncles and cousins. Hope to be good enough to sale some one day.
It's cool he mentioned that show. I got into knife making because of that show. I built my own propane forge, got a really nice Peter Wright anvil for 2 quarts of maple syrup. Saw a big log on the side of the road, got that and trimmed it down for my base to put my anvil on. Since then, I really couldn't tell you how many knives I've made. Taught a few young kids and they made knives of their own. I learned just by watching. I didn't have a mentor. That was 10 years ago? I just turned 54. It's never too late to learn. If I don't learn something new everyday I'm dissapointed with myself. That means I wasn't out doing something. I bought your book too BTW.
as a business owner of a couple business in Montana that came from nothing
this was a Great video
Mike you are our voice to the world keep up great work
Thanks for bringing Josh to us in this format. Salt of the earth is always inspiring!
What a great episode. There are so many "nuggets" in this conversation. All of them resonate with me since I grew up in a similar environment in eastern Oregon around hard working people. I became interested in knives at a very young age and still have the first one my dad brought back from a hunting trip in Alaska when I was around 4 or 5 years old. I started collecting knives and a friend of my dad's started teaching me about different types of knives when I was just a kid. When he came to visit each year, he would bring a few knives to trade with me. I learned valuable skills as a teenager in mechanic shop classes, machine shop classes and wood shop, etc. I was able to use these skills in some of my first jobs, etc. Fast forward to just 5 or 6 years ago, I started making knives. I'm a hobby knife maker and have made knives that were sold mostly to friends as gifts. I spent about 3 years making knives before I was confident in the fact I had made a good tool worthy of someone paying me for. The concept you guys discussed regarding the trades is incredible. As a 55 year old man, I wish I had learned more about framing, household electrical, etc even though I did learn alot of other skills. My eldest son did a few "dirty jobs" such as concrete work, well drilling and more, then decided to skip college and get into HVAC. At 23, he is a lead man with a large locally owned company and has apprentices working for him. As his father, I can only take part of the credit for his interest in working with his hands. He was offered his first job in HVAC standing around a camp fire in our deer camp. Young people just need the opportunity to learn skills and for someone to take an interest in them.
Awesome. 63 year old master carpenter. Took up iron forging as my winter hoby. Love it.
One of the best things this nation could do is make a huge commitment to teach the trades in high school.
Thank you for bringing Josh Smith on. He is amazing. I still haven't been able to grab an MKC knife yet bc I work evenings and I always am working when they drop, but I will get my hands on one one of these days. Cant wait to use one. They are truly works of art. God bless America and people like him. As well as you Mike Rowe, you are a Patriot!
My 12 year old is standing on a 10 inch round log and using my 2x72. I'm so proud. We finished his first knife last week and I'm hoping I can keep him interested in it.
As a kid growing up my elderly next door neighbour burned wood and the entire neighbourhood of kids would show up and split and stack the entire pile every year within a couple of hours. We loved it and looked forward to it every year.
Very much so enjoyed these two gentlemens conversation. Most importantly the idea life is what you make of it. In the most humble way I've done the same. After 11 foster home, 15 different schools, no Dad, Mom died when I was 14 after a decade and a half of trying to get custody of me. I never quit school (In was a heavy metal head pot head punk) I ended up getting a GED, joined the USAF as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Journeymen, th😅e C141 Flight Engineer. Then crossed into Environmental Compliance. Faught in Dessert Storm, earned two degrees, then retired from AF and was hired at Space Shuttle program as a Technical Instructor for the Solid Rocket Booster division. Life is definitely what you make of it and when someone says "No You Can't" do that please take it as a challenge and do it anyway!!! I'm 56 now and 100% Combat Wounded Veteran and dying of Leukemia and lung cancer do to that service. I just wish I could share more with young people who think there is no way "out" of whatever situation they're in. God Bless. Be safe
@billc8886 Dude, as another heavy metal pot head punk, I sometimes listen to people's recollections of their fathers and think about people like you for perspective. When I was a teen, my gf's father died of lung cancer and I never told him how much I respected him for raising such a fine daughter. My folks are still around but my little kid has never met them. Are there people in your life who can't talk? Can you do it for them?
I have incredible respect for linemen
Brilliant, Every student should be made to watch this.
I love these podcasts. So real and honest. I love sharing these with all the younger people in my life.
My oldest son is a 3rd generation lineman, he's now also a crew boss for the power construction crews.😊
And I grew up in Eugene, Oregon! 😘
👍
"I am a lineman for the county...."
Glenn Campbell
I love listening to your podcasts (in YT LOL) while I'm in my shop. This was a really good one because I needed the reminder from Josh that things don't happen overnight. I started a leatherworking business when I was 44, and that was after getting a masters in business and working in the corporate field of defenese and aerospace for several years. Then several odd jobs after moving with my husband to a different town for his job. I did grow up in the country and helped my dad with all the things, and I'm no stranger to the hauling and stacking of wood LOL But my dad has alwasy been a woodworker, draftsman, home builder and now owns a machine shop. My mom sewed a lot of our Sunday clothes when we were kids because money was tight. I feel like doing something with my hands just comes naturally and when kids are exposed to those sorts of things, they do too. I think it's innately human to build and create, but unfortunately, not enough of them are exposed to those opportunities.
I have less than zero interest in knives, I would rate this podcast in my top 5, truly fascinating.
1:40:43 haha awesome. Mike Rowe love your stuff. Love how you just came in with the landing
Truly one of your most inspirational interviews and thoroughly enjoyable listen during these troubled times, thank you.
Thank-you Mike and Josh. Grew up on a small farm on the Great Plains. Getting upper there in years now but there is a story and a river runs through it.
The miracle of flipping a switch and the light comes on is one of the most least appreciated, till it doesn’t come on. Thank you linemen!
An inspirational interview.. Thank you Josh.
in highschool we had building trades, a class where we built a house. We didn't wreck the house at the end of the year, it was sold, mostly to pay for the lot and the materials. We had a chance to see which of the trades we liked or were better at. My high school also had auto mechanics. Both of these classes were half day classes so you could only pick one. I was really torn on which one to take
It is so nice to find out there are still people that take pride in their work.
Greetings from south central BC thanks so much for the video, it's been one of your best on a number of levels. As a retired guy who made a living with my hands for most of those years, this message is timely and timeless at the same moment. Merry Christmas to you all.
A funny little story about knives. I was getting ready to board a greyhound bus in Houston, Texas for a back packing trip in Idaho shortly after 911. There’s an officer screening all the riders as they board the bus. He asks me if I have any weapons on me. I ask him to clarify what a weapon is. He says guns or knives. Well I have a pocket knife in my pocket, a hunting knife on my belt, and a couple of other knives in my backpack. I have a flare gun and a stun gun in my backpack because we’re going into bear country. He looks at me in bewilderment and asks me why so many weapons? I said that each one has a purpose and I aimed to be prepared. He shook his head and asked me to put them all in my backpack and checked it in the luggage compartment to my destination. Amazingly all of them made it all the way to Idaho. Before I came back I mailed most of them home and didn’t admit to having the pocketknife on the trip home.
It is baffling how so many people do not understand backpacking or camping or scuba diving. Their hobbies includes going home and watching TV. Their outdoor activities include driving by the green belt on the way to work.
Coincidentally, I just received my first purchase from MKC (just a honing rod) so I was pleased to see who your guest was. Great interview and a great story. I collect and make knives, but my full time work is as a trial lawyer.
I've got pretty much every knife MKC has produced. You should grab a couple - I think you'd be extremely happy with them.
I was not going to invest my time in this but I’m sure glad I did. Mr Rowe is a national treasure.
I have Cutco Knives in my kitchen and have had them for 50 years. They are made in America and 100% guanteed for life. I can send them in and they will sharpen them. Also if I break one ,and my grandson did once, they will replace it no questions asked. They are high quality and extremely sharp. They have been in business for 75 years. That has always impressed me.
Great video and honestly this is what America is.Love the interview thanks Mike.I’m a lead cable splicer myself and its makes me feel the satisfaction of knowing i keep the lights on day after day knowing people take for granted when the flick that light switch and power comes on and those people not knowing what that tradesman went through to get that job done.I will say its a thankless job for sure.
One of the greatest interviews I've ever watched ! Well done
Thanks for the video and the enlightening information on Josh and the Montana Knife Company.
Knife maker for 11 years. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. My knives are better lol 😂. So happy to see someone in this tiny community doing big things. Excellent
Great interview. You touched on two reasons that the present generation does not revere or respect work like I think previous ones have.
The first is kids don't get the opportunity to really work. Sure they have chores but not work that you can really be proud of. Josh touched on it when he said he was five and operating his fathers backhoe. I bet he had a real sense of pride and accomplishment in doing that. I think I was six when I first was allowed in the field. I was not big or strong enough to push the clutch on the tractor, so dad or grandpa would get me going then jump off and I would use the dump rake to sweep scatterings (bit of hay the rake and farm-all had not picked up) That was over 50 years ago but I still remember how I felt being able to be in the field and do something that made a difference. Now, child protective services would probably be called if you went to school and bragged about getting to do that.
Second is we did work for fun, for a social event. Josh also touched on this when he talked about going home to his father's and shingling a roof. If one of our family needed a house painted or something resingled it was not something that was hired out. My grandparents, cousins, aunt, uncles and my family would show up on a Saturday morning. Grandma and a couple of others would start cooking and then rest of us would get to work. We could paint a house in a day. We all talked, heard the family stories, ate and worked. The work was part of a social event. I don't see families do that anymore. One we had moved apart, perhaps hundreds of miles from grandma and grandpa. The other thing is sports. Now kids have soccer or little league on weekends. I did not have that. Sports were after school with a game on Thursday or Friday.
I think both of those type of events instilled a respect or at least not a dislike or disdain for manual labor and the trades.
And if you talk to Josh again tell him I have a copy of his fathers first backhoe, a 1972 Ford with no cab and four valves rather than joy sticks. I have plenty of dirt to move if he desires to relive some of his childhood.
Great conversation, thanks for sharing it with us !
Loved every word spoken in this episode ❤ There IS hope for the future for our grandchildren!
yess folders coming in the future! that was such a good video/podcast/interview, I watched the whole thing😎👍🙏
I saw Montana Knife Company at the Sportsman’s Show in 2021 ? I bought 3 Speed Goat knives! They’re awesome. ❤❤❤
What a fascinating interview with a great mentor.
This guy gets it.
Fantastic episode!!! Thanks Mike and josh!! Very inspiring!!
God Bless People like this that made and make America! Great job Mike for bringing these people to us - ordering those babies!!! ANDDDDDDDDDD been buying your whisky from the beginning - excellent - we are auto 2 bottles a month!
Fantastic program. Loved every bit of it. Thank you for never failing to entertain me.
We need more Mike Rowes to teach young people how to work hard and develop a craft or artistic skill by learning that hard work is rewarding and fulfilling 👍
Kids could build sheds in High School and sell them to pay for the next year's project. People could volunteer to each them. Like Habitat for Humanity.
I like Josh's Idea about building the big warehouse for the kids to build out, I am a designer and would like to see that happen and add the design portion of the process in other words add the drafting and design portion teaching the kids to use the CAD (computer aided drafting and manual drafting) application. I have extensive experience in this field and would love to help.
The working with hand tools factor saved my life as a teenager, the shop classes still existed in the late 60s but we're on there way out
Josh is an amazing man. We need more people like him ❤❤
I have been hearing good things about MKC and after hearing this interview I will be picking one up for sure. FYI I grew up in the burbs of LA and my dad owned a backhoe company so not all city kids don’t get exposed to that lifestyle. I worked my way up from shovel and broom to head Estimator in the trades. Love stories like this
I am never disappointed in one of your videos or any guest you interview. Well done you.
I listen to a few knife podcasts. I love learning about steels, heat treat, old factories etc. My real interest is in stuff like this outside the shop.
Absolutely inspirational story . I am constantly amazed and encouraged at people's determination to succeed despite the odds.
Josh you made me even more a fan.
I'm over here in Cd'a and have one of your shirts because there BadA$$. Now I have to buy a blade.
And Mike thank you bringing people like Josh to for front of what makes America Great.
So glad to find your brand.... I'm just getting into hunting now; your knife is definitely on my wish list.
Thank you gentlemen.
Loved the conversation. A quintessential American story. Just loved it. When you mentioned having portable training centers, it really struck a nerve with me. I've been training HVAC technicians in the woods by a lake for 18 years. I bring the training to their area. I hope more training companies understand this dynamic.
Without a doubt, the best comments section on the internet.
Well done, everyone! Gives me hope for our future.
All of your podcasts are great but this one i relayed to the most thanks😊
20:17 I've watched at least a few dozen of these episodes. It seems Mike enjoys this guest far more than most
Remember back when I was a kid on the farm. (I’m 82 Years old). Every kid carried a pocketknife, it seemed. Of course as kids we would get in fights with each other from time to time. No one pulled out their knife in anger or threatened another with it. We carried them to school also, with no second thought. I would imagine a knife in school would create a panic now days. I still carry a pocketknife knife as a tool.
Love this! One son is an apprentice electrical lineman, one is an Ag diesel mechanic. My husband is a plumbing contractor. My dream is to help drive youth to trades to build a better America.
Josh seems like such a great guy, and Mike obviously!
We had a great big wood pile in the backyard. There were 5 of us kids. If we were fighting, my parents made up move the wood pile from one spot in the yard, all the way across the yard until we were too tired to fight. It worked!
This is one of the best guests you've had, yet Mike Rowe
Airlines have killed my pocket knife habit. I’ve forgotten too many and lost them to security