GSM Outdoors acquires Cold Steel

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hso

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https://www.theoutdoorwire.com/releases/8e67ea0f-b139-44c9-9881-b87300106b72

rving, TX – GSM Outdoors, a multi-brand manufacturer and technology innovator of specialized hunting, shooting and gear, announces the company's acquisition of renowned knife maker, Cold Steel. A company dedicated to making the strongest, sharpest knives in the world, Cold Steel is at the forefront of many innovations that have helped to define modern knife technology.
...

Eddie Castro, CEO of GSM Outdoors said, “Cold Steel is an iconic, best in class brand that Lynn Thompson has built over the last 40 years by pushing the needle on innovation and new testing standards. His users are some of the most loyal followers I’ve ever seen, and a testament to what he has built. The team and I are highly enthusiastic about bringing this legendary brand into the GSM Family and broadening our current line of cutlery offerings.”
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Cold Steel has been a major player in the recreational knife industry for years and a major contributor to Knife Rights. I have no idea if GSM plans on taking CS in any different direction, but it will be watched with great concern.
 
Since they're a hunting focused group I hold out hope that they're expanding their stable to be able to add a known cutlery name to their lines.
 
I've been following this on another forum. Looks like they are gutting the warranty. One Year, limited, original owner, etc.
 
They were already cheapened when they went to Taiwan to be made. Do they even have any more knives made in the USA or Japan?

Guess Lynn didn't feel like making knives anymore and decided to bail out?
 
I can only guess that Lynn got old, he's been at it a long time.

Bit bummed to see that they were bought as usually that doesn't go well. I always like the medieval type of weapons which they did, don't see that continuing.
 
:(
End of a era I guess, no more demo videos
of Chinese War Sword chopping through a cowboy boot stuffed with strip steaks at the toe.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I can only guess that Lynn got old
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I won't say he "got old", but he's old enough to enjoy the retirement the money will make. ;)

Big game hunting is what it looks like he's going to be focused on along with MARS training.

 
"Original sales receipt must be produced for any warranty service"

That's a warranty killer right there. Not many I would think, myself included, keep every receipt for every item they buy.

Just another way to reduce warranty claims. Next it'll be "you must provide a video of every time you used the product to prove you didn't abuse it."
 
Says a lot about them, you would think that they would keep CS's warranty.

It's what most companies have come to, they don't want to be burdened with those type of issues. They want your money but don't want to work for it by taking care of you.

The best companies will take care of you and not think about the bottom line. How hard would it be to sharpen the blade, replace worn pins...

The rewards for doing this are worth more than any warranty. When people talk about a companies customer service, how they went out of their way to fix, replace... that's what people want to hear. That will also bring in more customers than any amount of advertising you could buy!
 
Mk-211 said:
Do they even have any more knives made in the USA or Japan?
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Dunno about these days. I do have an older Recon Tanto made in the United States (and a newer one I have no idea of its origin). I've seen them with papers indicating origins in Italy (a while back), South Africa, India, Taiwan ... and of course China.

I've got three excellent repro swords by Cold Steel all made in India.

The news makes me a little sad. Say what you will about Thompson, but he brought a lot of energy into, and attention to, the world of knives and swords. Which was, in my opinion, a great contribution to the blade world.

Did I say I like my Cold Steel swords?
 
Old Dog said:
Say what you will about Thompson, but he brought a lot of energy into, and attention to, the world of knives and swords. Which was, in my opinion, a great contribution to the blade world.
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And that's the difference between a dynamic and innovative company and the faceless CEO of a large conglomerate.

While some of Cold Steel's products were way over the top, they were never uninteresting.
 
ilbob said:
If the warranty is never needed, what difference does it make?
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While in a practical sense it doesn't matter if you make a knife intended to last a lifetime, but only offer a one year warranty, since the warranty won't be needed within a year or a lifetime. The traditional approach for knife manufacturers is the lifetime warranty is important since it won't be needed. To not offer it undermines customer confidence. In the knife industry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defect is much more the norm than exception. Abuse voids any warranty on knives, yet many if not most knife companies will make some allowances. As such a lifetime warranty is more a marketing than practical consideration basically stating the confidence the manufacturer has in the knife. If you start out telling the customer that the warranty is only for a year then you're telling the customer that they knife isn't expected to last much longer than that. Not smart even in today's world of disposable products.
 
Mk-211 said:
They were already cheapened when they went to Taiwan to be made. Do they even have any more knives made in the USA or Japan?
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Japan has become an expensive place to make knives. Even Spyderco makes a large portion of their knives in Taiwan, and the Taichung plant produces some of the best knives to ever wear the bug logo. The Taiwanese made full size CS Tuff Lite I have is better than the Japanese made Voyager I bought in the late 90's. That Tuff Lite is pretty close in fit and finish to the 3x more expensive, USA made, Spyderco Native 5 Lightweights I have. The Native 5 LWs have better lockup, but the N5 line is widely regarded as the best back lock Spyderco makes in terms of fit and lockup. I'd put the Taiwanese made CS Tuff Lite up against a Japanese made Spyderco Delica any day of the week.
 
JShirley said:
Did they buy Lynn Thompson, too?
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My guess is that they are leasing him. Be the face why they get their ducks in a row. Have him sign a non-compete. Nothing to see here folks. Business as usual. Move along, move along.
Then the best and most unique IP is canned and whatever is cheap and easy to crank out at Gerber prices is on the pegs at Walmart or wherever.
 
ugaarguy said:
I'd put the Taiwanese made CS Tuff Lite up against a Japanese made Spyderco Delica any day of the week.
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Let's hope that it stays that way, but now everyone is in a wait and see position to find out if GSM will misstep or continue forward.
 
hso said:
Let's hope that it stays that way, but now everyone is in a wait and see position to find out if GSM will misstep or continue forward.
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Yes, but my point was that manufacturing in Taiwan doesn't automatically equate to cheapening. We'll certainly see what GSM does. Hopefully Lynn Thompson and Andrew Demko both staying on in some capacity will help.
 
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