Ever heard of GSM Outdoors? They just bought Cold steel.

SanLuisObispo said:
"LOL." Almost certainly greater than your own. ":D"
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Wow, that's pretty hurtfu. Actually, I've had great success in what I set out to accomplish.

Since you seem to have completely missed my point, I'll make it blunt: Cold Steel made money by making good knives people want. It was a knife company and specialized in knives. That was their "success."

The investment firm's definition of "success" is more like, "Squeeze as much profit from this brand name as mathematically possible while spending as little as possible and assuming the least risk." This has happened to many companies, and it almost universally means rebranding crappy products and selling for max profit by riding on hard-won brand name recognition that was created from years of quality. This isn't a mystery. You might actually be unaware of this phenomenon, but I think you're just pretending to be ignorant.

It has happened a lot and the Cold Steel fans' fears of this happening to the company -oops, now the brand name- is not unfounded.
 
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Quiet said:
False. Please stop attempting to argue the facts as we know them. It's becoming embarrassing.
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Please post facts as you know them about how the change will be handled....if you can. Do you have any documentation, a link, anything from GSM or Cold Steel that outlines the coming changes? Until you can, please stop fearmongering....
Q9BiyBvm.jpg

Eli Chaps said:
Come on now. A place holder until it was sorted out? really? That page you copy and pasted was update to show one year. Someone went in and did that. It wasn't some software glitch. This is a dedicated investment firm. It was all settled long ago. They don't settle things after the sale.

That warranty was changed on Cold Steel's site. You cannot fault people for reacting to that.
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No, they don't settle afterwards, but it takes time for the stuff like websites, advertising and public relations to get changed after the sale is announced. We all just need to take a deep breath and wait to see what happens, good or bad. It is what it is, panicking over rumors doesn't help matters....

What I pasted is from the link posted. It was there at 5:30 EST and its there now....and it conflicts with this link
https://www.coldsteel.com/warranty-repairs
 
Arathol said:
Please post facts as you know them about how the change will be handled....if you can. Do you have any documentation, a link, anything from GSM or Cold Steel that outlines the coming changes? Until you can, please stop fearmongering....
Q9BiyBvm.jpg


No, they don't settle afterwards, but it takes time for the stuff like websites, advertising and public relations to get changed after the sale is announced. We all just need to take a deep breath and wait to see what happens, good or bad. It is what it is, panicking over rumors doesn't help matters....

What I pasted is from the link posted. It was there at 5:30 EST and its there now....and it conflicts with this link
https://www.coldsteel.com/warranty-repairs
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You keep purposely sidestepping acknowledging or accepting the facts we have already shown in this thread. Curious. Almost as if you don't want to accept them, and think that by demanding we present some other information, that you have some upper hand. You don't, and it's becoming tedious.

I notice you didn't answer my question. So, I'll ask you again: do you think that the Sold Steel employees were moved to Irving, Texas?
 
Norcaldude said:
Right, you should all wait for the official announcement from the new owners stating that they are going to start cutting as many corners as they can so they can squeeze every dime out of the Cold Steel brand before people catch on to what they are doing.
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And you're certain of this how? Because of online and gun shop war stories regarding Gerber, Camillus, Remington, et. al?

Norcaldude said:
No, don't use your judgement, experience and pattern recognition abilities that you have developed over decades of life. Arathol here thinks that is a bad idea.
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Since you mentioned one's "judgement, experience and pattern recognition abilities", I'm curious about your own CV? What do you bring to the table that would make anyone value your on opinion on the sale of CS? What specific insights do you have on the GSMO/CS deal?

GSMO began about 20 years ago. It now has over 30 product lines. Do you have any actual insights on how some or all of these lines perform in their respective markets? Any idea about any synergies (sorry) between the different product lines? How about GSMO as a parent organization? How has it historically treated those companies it has acquired over the years?

How about any real insights into the details of the sale of GSMO by Sentinel Capital Partners to Gridiron Capital? Any idea about the health, history and performance of either firm -- or of CS for that matter? Any idea about their respective sizes and their foci? How about the issue of timing? Any actual insider information on the purchase of CS by GSMO less than a month after their own sale to Gridiron?

I ask these questions because I'm interested in this topic, and I don't see the real nuts-and-bolts of this acquisition being discussed. In the end I think what some are suggesting is that a fair number of the posts on this thread are little more than FUD. Particularly the personal attacks on LCT.
 
SanLuisObispo said:
And you're certain of this how? Because of online and gun shop war stories regarding Gerber, Camillus, Remington, et. al?



Since you mentioned one's "judgement, experience and pattern recognition abilities", I'm curious about your own CV? What do you bring to the table that would make anyone value your on opinion on the sale of CS? What specific insights do you have on the GSMO/CS deal?

GSMO began about 20 years ago. It now has over 30 product lines. Do you have any actual insights on how some or all of these lines perform in their respective markets? Any idea about any synergies (sorry) between the different product lines? How about GSMO as a parent organization? How has it historically treated those companies it has acquired over the years?

How about any real insights into the details of the sale of GSMO by Sentinel Capital Partners to Gridiron Capital? Any idea about the health, history and performance of either firm -- or of CS for that matter? Any idea about their respective sizes and their foci? How about the issue of timing? Any actual insider information on the purchase of CS by GSMO less than a month after their own sale to Gridiron?

I ask these questions because I'm interested in this topic, and I don't see the real nuts-and-bolts of this acquisition being discussed. In the end I think what some are suggesting is that a fair number of the posts on this thread are little more than FUD. Particularly the personal attacks on LCT.
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Please elaborate on the personal attacks on Lynn Thompson. Also, you seem really interested in trying to defend his honor. That's creepy, he doesn't know or care about you.
 
gatorsnake said:
Speculation happens when people are not truthful and forthcoming.
FACT cold steel forum moderator is MIA and has not commented
FACT someone is tending to GSM facebook and deleting some posts asking about cold steel
FACT someone is tending to cold steel facebook and website posting and making changes and deleting some negative comments
FACT neither GSM nor cold steel are responding to emails on the subject
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These "facts" don't really tell us anything other than somebody has been told not to release any information and public relations damage control measures have been put in place. It doesn't really tell us what is going on or why....

Quiet said:
You keep purposely sidestepping acknowledging or accepting the facts we have already shown in this thread. Curious. Almost as if you don't want to accept them, and think that by demanding we present some other information, that you have some upper hand. You don't, and it's becoming tedious.

I notice you didn't answer my question. So, I'll ask you again: do you think that the Sold Steel employees were moved to Irving, Texas?
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There are no real facts shown to side step....if there are where are they? Other that the fact Cold Steel was sold to GSM and GSM is now owned by Gridiron, tell me what other "facts" are known....and don't start quoting the rumors that have been posted here yet again. As of right now there is a page that says the warranty has been changed, but another page says it hasn't..??... Post a link that says whats coming for Cold Steel, paste a page from a website with some useful information about GSMs plans for the California facility....anything that might be useful......until you can, stop repeating rumors, they are not really helpful at all....
Who said anything about moving employees? There is nothing as of yet that says either way what will happen to the employees in California. Maybe offers have been made, maybe not. Certainly some jobs may be lost, how many remains to be seen. As it seems that somebody has put a stop on information outflow from Cold Steel, we will need to wait and see what happens, be it good or bad. Until some information is released from official sources, nobody will know whats really going on. The rest is just rumors....Maybe some information will be released on Monday when all concerned are back in the office.
 
gatorsnake said:
I am not sure if everyone is aware, cold steel announced just a short time back that thompson would be selling the contents of several shipping containers full of items
very strange timing?? Kind of like the timing of cancelling A2 steel and announcing 4034...
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Oh? URL, please? Maybe they were filled with thick-walled cardboard tubes and tatami mats? ;)
 
Arathol said:
These "facts" don't really tell us anything other than somebody has been told not to release any information and public relations damage control measures have been put in place. It doesn't really tell us what is going on or why....


There are no real facts shown to side step....if there are where are they? Other that the fact Cold Steel was sold to GSM and GSM is now owned by Gridiron, tell me what other "facts" are known....and don't start quoting the rumors that have been posted here yet again. As of right now there is a page that says the warranty has been changed, but another page says it hasn't..??... Post a link that says whats coming for Cold Steel, paste a page from a website with some useful information about GSMs plans for the California facility....anything that might be useful......until you can, stop repeating rumors, they are not really helpful at all....
Who said anything about moving employees? There is nothing as of yet that says either way what will happen to the employees in California. Maybe offers have been made, maybe not. Certainly some jobs may be lost, how many remains to be seen. As it seems that somebody has put a stop on information outflow from Cold Steel, we will need to wait and see what happens, be it good or bad. Until some information is released from official sources, nobody will know whats really going on. The rest is just rumors....Maybe some information will be released on Monday when all concerned are back in the office.
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When people start doing their best to change the perception of facts to "rumors", I understand there's no further relevant discussion to be had. Why not just call Eli Chaps Eli Chaps a liar? You know? Be clear about it. It's clear that you have dismissed his findings completely.

P.S. No one said anything about moving employees because they've all been laid off, another of those pesky "rumors" you refuse to believe, which was the point I was making. Also, everything we've seen was taken from:

- GSM's site
- Sold Steel's site
- directly from now ex-employees
- Lynn Thompson's video that his employers directed him to make

I ask again, what exactly are you missing here?
 
we will need to wait and see what happens, be it good or bad. Until some information is released from official sources, nobody will know whats really going on. The rest is just rumors....Maybe some information will be released on Monday when all concerned are back in the office.[/QUOTE]


NOT holding my breath
Thompson told customers for almost TWO YEARS A2 steel would be used HE LIED
I KNOW I am speculating NOW:
NO WAY this sale was NOT in the works when he announced using 4034 instead of A2
where is the moderator? Where is a representative from GSM answering questions?
Where is anyone to put to rest rumors and assumptions??
This was NOT done this weekend this was done long ago
 
Quiet said:
When people start doing their best to change the perception of facts to "rumors", I understand there's no further relevant discussion to be had. Why not just call Eli Chaps Eli Chaps a liar? You know? Be clear about it. It's clear that you have dismissed his findings completely.

P.S. No one said anything about moving employees because they've all been laid off, another of those pesky "rumors" you refuse to believe, which was the point I was making. Also, everything we've seen was taken from:

- GSM's site
- Sold Steel's site
- directly from now ex-employees
- Lynn Thompson's video that his employers directed him to make

I ask again, what exactly are you missing here?
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I'm not missing anything except real facts....What "facts" are you referring to? Where exactly is the factual information about the disposition of the California facility and its employees? Please post a link to that information here in this thread. No announcement has been made yet by Cold Steel or GSM.....and only when that announcement comes will we know, not until. There is no use speculating about whats to come. It may be a worse case scenario where CS is stripped of its reputation and turned into another Chinese made Walmart brand, or it may be that GSM will turn CS into something better than it is now....we won't know until it happens.
How do you know who told Lynn Thompson to make the video? Prove it if you can, or post relevant facts directly here if you can...otherwise stop fearmongering......Cold Steel has been sold, its future is unknown and uncertain and the brand could go in any direction. That is what we know to be fact. Other than that.....?
Nobody is calling anybody a liar. The real fact here is an unknown person passed information that may or may not be true to a forum member. We don't know who that person was or if that information is valid, and that has no reflection on the forum member in question what so ever....
 
Arathol said:
I'm not missing anything except real facts....What "facts" are you referring to? Where exactly is the factual information about the disposition of the California facility and its employees? Please post a link to that information here in this thread. No announcement has been made yet by Cold Steel or GSM.....and only when that announcement comes will we know, not until. There is no use speculating about whats to come. It may be a worse case scenario where CS is stripped of its reputation and turned into another Chinese made Walmart brand, or it may be that GSM will turn CS into something better than it is now....we won't know until it happens.
How do you know who told Lynn Thompson to make the video? Prove it if you can, or post relevant facts directly here if you can...otherwise stop fearmongering......Cold Steel has been sold, its future is unknown and uncertain and the brand could go in any direction. That is what we know to be fact. Other than that.....?
Nobody is calling anybody a liar. The real fact here is an unknown person passed information that may or may not be true to a forum member. We don't know who that person was or if that information is valid, and that has no reflection on the forum member in question what so ever....
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"I don't believe any facts that have been presented, because they present a picture I don't like, and don't agree with. Therefore, they're just rumors in my opinion."

We're done here. Bringing a horse to water and all that.

Oh, and there's one thing I'll address. Any ACTUAL Sold Steel fan knows that LT is a clown and a showman with a huge ego. He's stated as much himself many times. One thing he would NEVER do* is apologize "for offending anyone" like he did in that video. He was told to do that by his employer, simple as that. Anyway, as I said, you don't get it, and don't want to get it. It's not my job to convince you. The rest of us understand the situation, and it's clear that you, and a couple others don't.


* because he's also said this many times
 
gatorsnake said:


NOT holding my breath
Thompson told customers for almost TWO YEARS A2 steel would be used HE LIED
I KNOW I am speculating NOW:
NO WAY this sale was NOT in the works when he announced using 4034 instead of A2
where is the moderator? Where is a representative from GSM answering questions?
Where is anyone to put to rest rumors and assumptions??
This was NOT done this weekend this was done long ago
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Or maybe there was something else going on before the sale that prevented the purchase of that steel? What was the financial situation of CS in the past couple years?
More speculation - maybe the financial situation behind the scenes wasn't as good as it could have been, and CS just couldn't source the steel at a price it could afford. Maybe this financial situation led to the opportunity for GSM to purchase CS.
mk4Hcr7.gif

No GSM or CS representative releasing information only means they are not ready to release any information just yet, and the corporate office has issued a moratorium on publicity until everything is ready. I would not read too much into this just yet. Its only Sunday, and businesses don't open until Monday morning. I would expect to see something in the next couple days.
 
Quiet said:
"I don't believe any facts that have been presented, because they present a picture I don't like, and don't agree with. Therefore, they're just rumors in my opinion."
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Your "facts" are opinions and assumptions, no more, no less.

Quiet said:
Oh, and there's one thing I'll address. Any ACTUAL Sold Steel fan knows that LT is a clown and a showman with a huge ego. He's stated as much himself many times. One thing he would NEVER do* is apologize "for offending anyone" like he did in that video. He was told to do that by his employer, simple as that. Anyway, as I said, you don't get it, and don't want to get it. It's not my job to convince you. The rest of us understand the situation, and it's clear that you, and a couple others don't.


* because he's also said this many times
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OK, so you can't really prove anything that you call facts. There are many things going on here that neither you or anybody else know anything about, including what the former owner of CS did or did not do. Thats your opinion, don't represent it as fact. We won't know any of the facts about what happened until somebody at CS or GSM tells us. When that happens the discussion will be different, be it for good or bad....
 
Arathol said:
Your "facts" are opinions and assumptions, no more, no less.



OK, so you can't really prove anything that you call facts. There are many things going on here that neither you or anybody else know anything about, including what the former owner of CS did or did not do. Thats your opinion, don't represent it as fact. We won't know any of the facts about what happened until somebody at CS or GSM tells us. When that happens the discussion will be different, be it for good or bad....
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I already listed the facts as they'd been shown. The one fact that's been walked back is the warranty. The rest is true until proven otherwise. Also, you don't get to tell anyone here what to do. You refuse to believe the facts because they hurt you deep in the feels.

The rest of us are adults.

Also? You keep saying "We don't know anything until CS and GSM tell us." despite ignoring multiple items that they HAVE given us. Soooo....which is it? LOL
 
Danke42 said:
This is known as "talking when you should be listening".
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Ya! For all SanLuisOskitzo knows I could be running a multinational, multimillion manufactorium where our international artisans hand-craft 100% Made in USA kinfes deep within my hidden underground facility in Austin, TX! o_O
 
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