Iron4045
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2007
- Messages
- 1,249
In case anyone was wondering who GSM is, it was actually recently acquired by Gridiron Capital, from Sentinel Capital who acquired it from another Capital group. I thought I would post a link to the recent purchase of GSM by Gridiron and the article gives a little background about both. It seems there are fewer and fewer smaller businesses out there able to or willing to make a go of it here. I wonder if Lynn decided to sell recently, perhaps due to the pandemic etc. Either way it appears as though GSM has acquired many smaller companies recently, not just Cold Steel which of course makes them an attractive target for capital investors.
https://peprofessional.com/2020/11/gridiron-acquires-gsm-outdoors-sentinel/
As a Cold Steel Fan since i was a kid I am a little sorry to see that Lynn has sold his company. He seems to have a true passion for knives and was a pioneer in many areas. I am also sorry to see one of America's smaller companies being sold to large investor groups. As many have already said we will see what happens to the brand, which may change depending on which Capital group buys it next, but i can't help but think that some of the soul of it has left. I hope I am wrong.
https://peprofessional.com/2020/11/gridiron-acquires-gsm-outdoors-sentinel/
As a Cold Steel Fan since i was a kid I am a little sorry to see that Lynn has sold his company. He seems to have a true passion for knives and was a pioneer in many areas. I am also sorry to see one of America's smaller companies being sold to large investor groups. As many have already said we will see what happens to the brand, which may change depending on which Capital group buys it next, but i can't help but think that some of the soul of it has left. I hope I am wrong.