Gerber Legendary Brands in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling 149,000 Gerber Gator Machete and 6,000 Cator Machete Jr. machetes due to reports of 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. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Gerber said 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.


The products are imported by Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore., a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wis.


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.


The machetes were sold at 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.


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.


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