The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·12248·Announced 2012-08-16

Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes Recalled for Laceration Hazard

Gerber is recalling Bear Grylls Parang Machetes because a weakness in the handle-blade connection can cause breakage, posing a laceration risk.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (sharp blade) where injury has been reported (one laceration), fitting the 'High' severity criteria for products where injury has not yet been reported or is minor.

Plain-English summary

Gerber Legendary Blades is recalling approximately 119,000 Gerber® Bear Grylls Parang Machetes due to a laceration hazard. The recalled product is a curved blade machete with an overall length of 19.5 inches and a blade length of 13.5 inches. The handle features a dark gray textured rubber grip with wrist lanyard, orange trim, and a stylized "BG" logo. The blade is marked with the "GERBER®" trademark and a stylized Bear Grylls trademark. The machete comes in a black nylon sheath with orange and gray trim.

A weakness in the area where the handle meets the blade can cause the handle or the blade to break during use, posing a laceration hazard. The firm received 24 reports of breakages, including one report of a laceration injury in Canada, which did not involve stitches. The machetes were sold separately or as one of the products in Gerber's Apocalypse Survival Kit. Model numbers are 31-000698, which has "Survival Series" printed on the package, and 31-001507, which was sold only at Walmart. Model number 30-0006010 is for the Apocalypse Survival Kit, which includes a Parang machete among other items in a foldable black cloth case with "GERBER" printed in orange on the inside right.

The machetes were sold at sporting goods stores nationwide and online from January 2011 through June 2012 for about $43 for the individual Parang machetes and $349 for the Apocalypse Survival Kits. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Parang machetes and contact Gerber Legendary Blades to receive a free replacement. For additional 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 website at www.gerbergear.com.

The recalled product

Product
Gerber® Bear Grylls Parang Machetes
Manufacturer
Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore.
Category
Consumer Product — Cutting Tools
Hazard
Affected units
119,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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Same manufacturer · Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore.

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Same hazard · laceration

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