Closing Down: US Palm and Strider Knives Both Suspend Operations

We know that April First is the day that people look at news items with a more skeptical eye. Let us start by assuring you that in fact this isn't an April Fool's joke.

Recently we reported on the state of the suppressor industry and the slump they've been having due to a number of contributing factors. Though the silencer industry has it's own unique complications, they are far from the only sector that's experiencing new obstacles.

We'd been hearing rumors that US Palm, the Arizona-based manufacturer of soft gear and assorted AK accessories, would be ceasing operations in the near future. We're not prone to report on what may just be hearsay or open speculation about exactly how well a company is or isn't doing; however, the following was posted on the US Palm Facebook page at ~3a EST:

It reads:

“At this time, US Palm is suspending all consumer sales and will be reorganizing our product offerings as well as the retail avenues of purchase during the month of April. In the mean time, you can contact us at [email protected]. We appreciate your patience. -Mgmt.”

As of the time of this publication, nothing can be purchased or even added to the cart on US Palm's webpage. We truly hope that US Palm is indeed just under a reorganization and not suspending operations for good.

This announcement is following right on the heels of another statement, also via social media, that Strider Knives would be shuttering its doors.

The complete message from Mick Strider reads:

“25 years!
Wait what?
Twenty five years of the Mick and Duane show known as Strider Knives.
Twenty five years of the He Man Woman Haters Club.
Twenty five years of changing an industry.
Twenty five years of employing our retired friends and supporting those still in the fight.
Strider Knives is written into history
We have been hated and loved and hated some more.
I've been pondering over this post since January.
I've come to the conclusion that it's just not possible to do in a single sitting. There's just too much. I will be writing about this for some time….. So here's the short
Duane and I have decided to retire Strider Knives Inc.
BLAM!

The last “Strider Knives” will be sold at Blade Show 2017, at the end of which we will strike the Strider Knives colors.
I will continue to produce select items on a limited basis thru MSC as my “Classic Line”. I will also continue warranty service on all Strider Knives products. Your guarantee is still valid.
Duane and I made this decision because Strider Knives isn't the same. With he and I doing our own things, and our buddies having moved on to other things, we would rather finish strong then start doing the Indian casino circuit. When we started this there was a giant hole in the knife industry. We filled that hole.
There are now plenty of knife makers building actual hard use knives, we have earned a rest.
We started this ride with a PALS mentality and never once let off the gas pedal.
I'm proud to say it was an epic ride with a hell of a lot of amazing Friends.
Thank you all!!! PALS

m”

Though a once thriving custom knife operation may not directly be in the so-called “firearms industry” there is certainly a lot of crossover in the customer base. And these two aren't the only ones.

Perhaps to serve as a preview of what's to come, at the end of January Olympic Arms announced that February 28th would be their last day of operations. While this notice was met with snark by many who aren't fans of Olympic Arms, the cessation of a firearms manufacturer that's been producing for more than four decades doesn't bode well for anyone.

The message reads:

“After more than 40 years of business, it is with great sorrow that we announce that February 28th, 2017 will be the last day of operation for Olympic Arms, Inc.

The Schuetz family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all their friends, associates, and partners that have been a part of the Olympic Arms experience. Most of all we would like to thank our loyal customers and patrons who have been with us all this time.

In the course of closing, we are announcing the following changes in policy effective immediately:

All sales are final.
No refunds or returns will be accepted after 1-25-2017.
On-line Shopping Cart will be active and effective while supplies last.
All Warranty service ceases 1-25-2017. Warranty work and repairs currently in-house will be serviced and returned.
New orders will only be taken for inventory currently in stock, or that can be built from remaining inventory.
All inventory will be liquidated.
ALL SALES will cease at close of business 28 February, 2017

Thank you for your patronage.”

Other retailers have shown signs of trouble as well. Big-box outdoors chain Gander Mountain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. According to at least one report they owe Vista Outdoors more than $15 million dollars and has overall debt somewhere between $500 million and $1 billion dollars.

Though we hope these are outliers, unfortunately we strongly suspect that there will be similar announcements from more companies in the coming weeks and months.
@DM

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