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Small Business in Montana. |
  hitehead's
has sold cutlery of all kinds for more than a century in Butte.
It is the oldest continually operating family-owned business
in Montana. Whitehead's opened in 1890 when Joseph Whitehead
showed up in Butte and opened a small cutlery shop. Joseph Whitehead
made his living traveling to mining camps throughout the region.
When he arrived in Butte, he bought his own grinding equipment
and went into partnership with a St. Bernard dog that ran on
a treadmill to power a wheel to grind knives. He soon replaced
the St. Bernard with an electric motor and changed the name of
the business to the Butte Electric Grinding Works. In 1903, Whitehead
expanded and began selling straight razors and barber supplies.
He also offered skate sharpening services. Joseph's son Edward
joined the business in 1915 and became a partner in 1922. Over the years, Ed Whitehead
collected knives and swords from around the world. The impressive
collection from a many countries and cultures is still displayed
on the shop walls at 73 E. Park Street. The shop is equally worth
a visit for these displays as it is to find quality cutlery and
skates. Today, the business is operated by Ed's daughter Donna who invites you to stop by on the Internet or in person at the shop at 73 East Park Street in Historic Uptown Butte to "cut a deal" on the exceptional and rare in skates, knives, and swords. |