Cold Steel, Liemke Thermal Optics Change Hands

by
posted on December 24, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
cold-steel.jpg

Renowned knife manufacturer Cold Steel has been acquired by GSM Outdoors, parent company of Birchwood Casey, Walker’s Game Ear, SME, Viking Solutions and other brands familiar to firearm enthusiasts. The company, which was established in 1980 by Lynn Thompson, creates tools for everyday carry with the kind of strength and dependability that make them a popular choice among members of the military, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, self-defense practitioners and others. It also offers fixed blades, swords, sabers, pole-arms and halberds, in addition to hunting gear, spears, blowguns, axes, machetes and tomahawks.

Blaser Group acquired Liemke Thermal Optics this month. The latter firm, headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, launched in 2008 and began building its own line of night vision in 2014. Today it has grown to become the dominant thermal imaging brand in that country, offering lines of handheld units as well as many designed specifically for gun mounting. Blaser Group is the official U.S. importer of German firearms from Blaser, J.P. Sauer and Mauser, guns from Great Britain’s John Rigby and it also handles Minox products.

“We are excited to add this premium brand of well-priced, high-performance thermal optics to our product portfolio,” said Jason Evans, CEO of Blaser Group. “Liemke is at the forefront of technology, delivering the precision and performance of German engineering, making it a top choice for hunting, game detection and nighttime shooting applications.”

“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,” said Eddie Castro, CEO of GSM Outdoors. “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.”

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.