Posted by: Denis
Gerber Gator Combo Ax recall - 07/07/11 03:51 PM
I was browsing through the Gerber site and noticed there is a recall for their Gator Combo Ax; this is the hatchet with a small, fixed blade knife in the handle. The knife is held in place with a magnet which, it turns out, isn't a foolproof retention method. From the recall notice:
"The knife in the axe handle can come out of the axe handle when the axe is used for chopping or hammering, posing a laceration hazard to the user ... Gerber has received five reports of laceration injuries. All required stitches."
They have a form for owners to fill out and they will send out a retrofit kit including "a Handle Cap, instructions for installing the Handle Cap, and a warning label for the knife-in-handle Combo Axe."
By the sounds of it, the retrofit is only for travel & storage and they recommend removal of the knife before actually using the hatchet (I'm assuming this is what the warning label will say).
Personally, I do own and like this hatchet; I find it works good and have never had any issues. However, since the I've never actually used the knife, it is more of a back-up, I am thinking either leaving it at home or finding a way to more securely retain it during use may be a good idea. I don't really like the idea of having to leave an unsheathed knife lying around when ever I need to prepare some wood or hammer some tent pegs.
"The knife in the axe handle can come out of the axe handle when the axe is used for chopping or hammering, posing a laceration hazard to the user ... Gerber has received five reports of laceration injuries. All required stitches."
They have a form for owners to fill out and they will send out a retrofit kit including "a Handle Cap, instructions for installing the Handle Cap, and a warning label for the knife-in-handle Combo Axe."
By the sounds of it, the retrofit is only for travel & storage and they recommend removal of the knife before actually using the hatchet (I'm assuming this is what the warning label will say).
Personally, I do own and like this hatchet; I find it works good and have never had any issues. However, since the I've never actually used the knife, it is more of a back-up, I am thinking either leaving it at home or finding a way to more securely retain it during use may be a good idea. I don't really like the idea of having to leave an unsheathed knife lying around when ever I need to prepare some wood or hammer some tent pegs.