Gsm failure? Never seen this before...

S

Shrub

Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
406
Okay, so, I've had an original Pendleton Mini Hunter, the Japanese made, VG-1 version, for... since they came out. However long that is.lol. Many years.

Anyway, I've always really liked it. I recently became aware that it has been re-released with a slightly longer handle and cpm-3v steel. My current favorite steel on a knife I know I like, so I ordered one. Yes, it was on ebay, but it's a seller I've bought from multiple times without a hitch and the knife is obviously authentic. It came in today and everything else seems to be in order. Even grinds. Proper markings. Decent edge... Very nice.

The sheath even looks nice and is obviously a proper Secure-Ex, BUT IT'S MISSING THE RIVETS ON ONE SIDE! I've never seen that before. Certainly doesn't instill confidence in carrying it.

I contacted the seller a couple hours ago and haven't heard back yet. I called GSM and they basically said that they didn't have any sheaths to replace it so they could only do a full warranty replacement, and since it wasn't an authorized dealer plus proof of purchase they wouldn't warranty it. Basically they told me with a smile to get lost...

Is Cold Steel really dead? I'm starting to get that vibe. Seeing them in walmart was not a good sign...


I had my wife post the picture on her fb because I don't have one. Only way I seem to be able to get a picture to work on here.
 
Shrub said:
Okay, so, I've had an original Pendleton Mini Hunter, the Japanese made, VG-1 version, for... since they came out. However long that is.lol. Many years.

Anyway, I've always really liked it. I recently became aware that it has been re-released with a slightly longer handle and cpm-3v steel. My current favorite steel on a knife I know I like, so I ordered one. Yes, it was on ebay, but it's a seller I've bought from multiple times without a hitch and the knife is obviously authentic. It came in today and everything else seems to be in order. Even grinds. Proper markings. Decent edge... Very nice.

The sheath even looks nice and is obviously a proper Secure-Ex, BUT IT'S MISSING THE RIVETS ON ONE SIDE! I've never seen that before. Certainly doesn't instill confidence in carrying it.

I contacted the seller a couple hours ago and haven't heard back yet. I called GSM and they basically said that they didn't have any sheaths to replace it so they could only do a full warranty replacement, and since it wasn't an authorized dealer plus proof of purchase they wouldn't warranty it. Basically they told me with a smile to get lost...

Is Cold Steel really dead? I'm starting to get that vibe. Seeing them in walmart was not a good sign...


I had my wife post the picture on her fb because I don't have one. Only way I seem to be able to get a picture to work on here.
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Parts and service is what bothers me. It doesn't bother me that they're selling their stuff at Walmart. I've gotten a couple of nice kershaws from Walmart. But but in summary yes I would assume that cold steel is dead as we once knew it. As far as your sheath your going to have to either make one yourself or find someone here that can make one for you.
 
John Phillips said:
Buy all the “OLD STEEL” you can, you’ll be glad you did. GSM killed Cold Steel, so sad.
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I don't think so fast of a judgment is wise. I'm a little ticked off like everybody else. But there is a customer representative on this forum. I say out of all fairness let's see what he can do. He deserves a fair chance just like everyone else would. So I'm just looking and watching and waiting and see what happens. But I wholeheartedly have not counted Cold Steel out yet. I just get annoyed and pissed off like a lot of people do about this
 
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Well, you may be right but I know exactly the quality I’m buying with the old proven knives before GSM took over. Buying new stuff is a gamble at best. And I can still buy a lot of old steel for very reasonable prices.
 
John Phillips said:
Well, you may be right but I know exactly the quality I’m buying with the old proven knives before GSM took over. Buying new stuff is a gamble at best. And I can still buy a lot of old steel for very reasonable prices.
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I bought two so far from GSM. One was a safe maker one push dagger and the other was a cold steel Tanto Voyager. They're identical to the old ones. The only difference is the logos a little different. Same steel same quality and from what I understand same Factory.
 
Vlade said:
I don't think so fast of a judgment is wise. I'm a little ticked off like everybody else. But there is a customer representative on this forum. I say out of all fairness let's see what he can do. He deserves a fair chance just like everyone else would. So I'm just looking and watching and waiting and see what happens. But I wholeheartedly have not counted Cold Steel out yet. I just get annoyed and pissed off like a lot of people do about this
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If there is a customer rep on here and he/she would be able to help, that'd be great. All I want is a sheath that's made right.
 
Well that sucks.

You should be able to use Chicago screws. Both Home Depot and Lowes sell them in their hardware/fastener departments. They are also widely available online. I think 1/8th" length would be the best fit. If they are too long you can use washers as spacers.

Of course you shouldn't have to fix a new sheath yourself.
 
the pre-gsm models that are now being made by gsm seem to be fine so far, ive bought a gsm ad-10, ad15, voyager, and sr1 and they were all fine with same quality as before, its the new gsm stuff being introduced into the lineup that has the gas station knife vibes that im worried about
 
Why. It return the item to the online seller? He obviously sold you a factory second at full price.

n2s
 
John Phillips said:
Buy all the “OLD STEEL” you can, you’ll be glad you did. GSM killed Cold Steel, so sad.
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I have been thinking about just that, scored me two XHP Espada Larges, and an original AUS8 large, with the less useful but more purposeful blade shape. Need an XHP XL.

On the other hand, I immediately buy a leather sheath for a Cold Steel I plan to carry and cut with. I don't like the black plastic, except on the Spyderco Ronin.
 
not2sharp said:
Why. It return the item to the online seller? He obviously sold you a factory second at full price.

n2s
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No, I don't believe that's what happened, and I'm not immediately sending it back in the mail because I shouldn't have to pay for shipping and be out the cost of the knife plus shipping. Especially when there may be other options.

KenHash said:
It is the Seller's responsibilty to replace that defective sheath. Return or refund.
GSM wouldn't be the only company that only provides warranty through authorized dealers.
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I've sent message to the seller and they're supposed to be getting me a new sheath when they get back in the office in the coming week. Even so, Cold Steel/GSM are one now, and yes they are responsible for the warranty they put on their products.
 
Shrub said:
No, I don't believe that's what happened, and I'm not immediately sending it back in the mail because I shouldn't have to pay for shipping and be out the cost of the knife plus shipping. Especially when there may be other options.



I've sent message to the seller and they're supposed to be getting me a new sheath when they get back in the office in the coming week. Even so, Cold Steel/GSM are one now, and yes they are responsible for the warranty they put on their products.
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Not if it's a factory second. In fact a few companies send their seconds without boxes in bulk quantity. Some companies such as Kershaw stamp xxxx on the blade. And they do not have any warranty whatsoever.
 
Vlade said:
Not if it's a factory second. In fact a few companies send their seconds without boxes in bulk quantity. Some companies such as Kershaw stamp xxxx on the blade. And they do not have any warranty whatsoever.
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Which would be relevant if this were 0ne of those blades. However, it's not.
 
V Vlade Sorry for the timing/misunderstanding. A few posters kind of came across as though they were upset with me for expecting the manufacturer to produce a decent product and honor their warranty. Maybe I misunderstood? I don't know. Sorry if I did. The timing of your post made it seem to me as though to antagonize that point. Probably not what you intended.

Hopefully the seller will keep their word and get back to me next week/couple days, and said they would try to get a replacement sheath. I'm not totally sure what they'll actually do.

If not, I'm already eye-balling a few custom kydex replacement sheaths. Maybe I should just go ahead and get one of those? To be honest, as much as I've been a Cold Steel fan boy since I was about 10 years old, I've never been super impressed with the Secure-Ex sheaths. Maybe a nice kydex would be a worthy upgrade.
 
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