In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, Gerber Legendary Blades of Portland, Oregon has voluntarily recalled over 119,000 of its Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes. The affected Parang Machetes were for sale online and at stores carrying outdoor sporting goods between January 2011 and June 2012. Approximately 119,000 of the machetes were sold in the United States and another 13,184 were sold in Canada. The August 2012 recall comes as a result of 24 reports of breakages, and Gerber Legendary Blades will be replacing the defective Parang Machetes free of charge.
The Parang Machete breakages have occurred due to a weakness in the product where the handle meets the blade. Of the 24 cited breakages, only 1 incident resulted in laceration or jagged tearing of the user’s skin. The injury did not need stitches. Health Canada stated that they personally received the report of laceration related to consumer handling of the Parang Machete.
The Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete has an overall length of 19.5 inches and a blade length of 13.5 inches. The machete’s rubber handle is dark gray, with a textured grip, orange trimming, and attached lanyard. Packaged with a black nylon sheath, the Parang Machete displays the orange Bear Grylls trademark and Gerber emblem. The manufacturer of the Parang Machete is Best Gifts Enterprises Ltd, based in Yangjiang, China. It is imported by Fiskars Canada, Inc. based in Markham, Ontario of Canada. Gerber Legendary Blades is a branch of Fiskars.
Consumers should immediately cease use of their Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes. Consumers will be able to return their recalled machetes, placed safely back in the sheath, via a prepaid FedEx shipping carton supplied by Gerber Bear Grylls. Gerber Bear Grylls stated that consumers should expect to wait a few weeks for their new Parang Machete to arrive.
Consumers may contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at 877-314-9130 or fill out a form online to receive a free replacement of the defective machete.