Petzl Nomic and Ergonomic ice axe shafts can break at handle

Plain-English summary

This recall involves Petzl Nomic ice climbing axes (model U021AA00, serial numbers 17L 0000000 000 to 20F 9999999 999) and Ergonomic ice climbing axes (model U022AA00, serial numbers 18F 0000000 000 to 21L 9999999 999), made by Petzl America, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah. The axes have an aluminium shaft, steel pick and reinforced plastic grip; Nomic axes are black and Ergonomic axes are orange, with the serial number on a label on the upper shaft. About 4,200 units were sold at REI, Moosejaw Mountaineering and other specialty stores and online from December 2017 through March 2022 for between $380 and $440, with a further 1,160 sold in Canada.

The ice axe shaft can break at the handle during use, posing a fall hazard which can result in serious injury or death. The firm has received 26 reports of the ice axe shafts breaking at the handle. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ice axes and contact Petzl America for a free repair kit.

Consumers should register on the Petzl website to request a pre-paid shipping label to return the shaft, and will receive a repair kit with a new shaft, grip rest hardware and assembly instructions.

The recalled product

Product

Nomic and Ergonomic Ice Climbing Axes

Manufacturer

Petzl America, Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah

Category

Consumer Product — Climbing equipment

Hazard

• shaft-failure
• fall-hazard
• structural-failure

Affected units

4,200

Distribution

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