Gerber machete recall

[wenestvedt]

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2010
Release #10-157

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 314-9130
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Gerber Legendary Blades Recalls Machetes Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Gerber(r) Gator(r) Machete and Gator(r) Machete Jr.

Units: About 149,000 Gator Machetes and 6,000 Gator Machetes Jr.

Importer: Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore., a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wis.

Hazard: The saw side of the machete can stick in wood during use, and if the user's hand slips off the handle and slides forward across the machete blade, this poses a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Gerber has received five reports of individuals cutting themselves while using the Gator Machete, all of whom required stitches. Gerber has received no reports of injuries associated with use of the Gator Machete Jr.

Description: This recall involves the Gerber Gator Machete and Gator Machete Jr. with the original handle (see picture below). The Gator Machete is approximately 25 1/2" long and the Machete Jr. is approximately 18 3/4" long. The blade is marked with the "Gerber" trademark. The Gator Machete and Machete Jr. with a modified handle (an extended hand guard) are not included in this recall (see picture in recall announcement). Consumers should visually inspect their machete to determine if it is included in this recall.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, including The Sportsman's Guide, Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops/American Rod & Gun, and through on-line stores from March 2007 through February 2010 for between $16 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled machetes immediately and contact Gerber to receive instructions on how to return the machete for a free replacement machete.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at (877) 314-9130 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.gerbergear.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10157.html



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Thank you.

[dirtbuster]

One of the reason why I stopped buying Chinese made products even if they're US brand badged.

[jzmtl]

One of the reason why I stopped buying Chinese made products even if they're US brand badged.

Dude, have you even read why they are being recalled, wth does it have to do with it being chinese made or not?

[f50fan]

awesome of them to recall and replace for free over such a small problem. shows that they atleast care about minute potential problems.

[Monocrom]

I never understood the point of having saw-teeth on the spine of a machete. I learned as a kid that saw-teeth tend to get stuck in wood. This hazard seems obvious to me.

[Eagle Scout]

Thanks for posting this. Had bought the regular sized one last year as part of a CTD order. Looked into it, and have the "corrected" version. Good for Gerber.

[Rob72]

If one feels onself to be at risk, one should place one's genitals on a tree stump, and use the machete to pre-emptively amputate them. One is too grossly stupid to reproduce.

[jeeves3443]

This just in... Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, Buck, CRKT, and Gerber have recalled 99.9% of their product lines as 'serious laceration threats' are imminent. Several reports of individuals cutting themselves while using SHARP FKING EDGES led to the recall. If you feel you are at risk, promptly consult Rob72 for the best course of action.



This reminds me of the Dihydrogen Monoxide threat JB posted a while back.