Knife and Blade Recalls and Safety Alerts

The Pampered Chef of Addison, IL, is recalling about 286,000 garlic slicers.

A blade on the slicer can unexpectedly dislodge during use, posing a laceration hazard to the consumer. The company has received 23 reports of blades detaching during use, including one report of a consumer who cut her finger.

This recall involves The Pampered Chef garlic slicers sold individually and with a garlic peeler. The slicers were sold under product numbers 1113 (individual) and 2578 (set). The two-piece white plastic, tube shaped slicer measures 2 1/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches and has two blades on the end. "The Pampered Chef" is engraved on the top cover.

The slicers, manufactured in China, were sold at The Pampered Chef independent consultants nationwide and online from January 2009 through July 2011 for about $14 for the individual garlic slicer and $20 for the set.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled garlic slicers and contact The Pampered Chef for a replacement product.

Consumers may contact the company at productalert@pamperedchef.com or toll-free at (877) 917-2433 anytime. To speak with an operator, consumers can call between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday.

Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, OR, is recalling about 119,000 Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes.

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 has received 24 reports of breakages, including one report of a laceration injury in Canada, which did not involve stitches.

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 is a dark gray textured rubber grip with wrist lanyard, orange trim and a stylized "BG" on it. 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.

The machetes were sold separately or as one of the products in Gerber's Apocalypse Survival Kit. The model numbers are on the package. 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.

They 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.

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation of Mount Prospect, IL, is recalling 22,149 SkilSaw miter saws. The lower guard can break and contact the blade during use, posing a laceration hazard to users. 

The recalled product is the SkilSaw(r) 10-inch compound miter saw, with model number 3316 and date codes 111, 112, 201, 202, 203 or 204. The model number and date code are on the lower right side of the nameplate located on the motor housing. The SkilSaw logo appears at the top of the upper blade guard and on the dust collection bag. 

The firm has received no reports of incidents or injuries. 

The saws, manufactured in China, were sold at Lowe's Home Centers nationwide and OC Tanner from January 2012 to April 2012. 

Consumers should immediately stop using the miter saw and contact Robert Bosch Tool Corporation for a free lower guard replacement kit. 

For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (888) 727-6109 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Website.

Gerber Legendary Blades is recalling about 3,000 Instant Knives. The locking mechanism on the spring-assisted blade can fail to engage properly, causing the blade to fold during use, posing a laceration hazard.

The recalled knives are spring-assisted clip knives with a black retractable 3.18" blade which can be folded into the textured black handle when the knife is not in use. The black handle has four diagonal slots on both sides. When closed, the knife measures 4.57" in length and when open, it measures 7.75". The Gerber "sword and shield" trademark appears in silver, on one side of the blade, close to the handle. The name "Gerber" is written in silver on the knife's pocket clip.

This recall involves model numbers 30-000435 and 31-001101. The different model numbers refer to the same knife sold in a box (30-000435) and in a blister pack (31-001101). The model number is printed on the original packaging underneath the barcode. It is not printed on the knife.

Sporting goods stores sold the knives nationwide from February 2012 through March 2012 for about $50. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Instant Knives and contact Gerber Legendary Blades to receive a free replacement.

For additional information, please 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

Horizon Hobby Inc. is recalling about 18,000 model helicopters because the main blade grips and main rotor blades can release from the main rotor head, posing an impact and laceration hazard.

The recall affects the Blade mCP X Bind-N Fly and Ready to Fly Remote Control Model Helicopters and replacement Blade mCP X Main Blade Grips with Bearings.

Horizon Hobby has received 312 reports of the rotor blades releasing from the rotor head, including 34 reports of a blade striking a user, resulting in 12 laceration injuries.

Blade ultra-micro indoor/outdoor helicopters have red and blue canopies with the name "Blade mCP X" printed on both sides. The model numbers are printed on the underside of the products' boxes with the bar code. The following are recalled:

Retailers nationwide sold the helicopters during March 2011 for $180 to $220 for the model helicopters and $10 for the replacement part. They were made in China.

Consumers should contact Horizon Hobby for free replacement of main rotor grips and do-it-yourself instructions.

For additional information, contact Horizon Hobby Support Team toll-free at (877) 504-0233 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT on Saturdays, and between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays, or visit the website at www.bladehelis.com/MCPX

The recall affects about 149,000 Gator Machetes and 6,000 Gator Machetes Jr.

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.

This recall involves the Gerber Gator Machete and Gator Machete Jr. with the original handle (see picture below). 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 below). Consumers should visually inspect their machete to determine if it is included in this recall.

The machetes were sold at retail stores nationwide, including 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. They were made in China.

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.

For more 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 Web site at www.gerbergear.com (pdf).

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

August 29, 2007
Gerber Legendary Blades is recalling about 154,000 of its EAB (Exchange-A-Blade) pocket knives.

During use, the back of the blade of the knife can slide past the blade support, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Gerber has received eight reports of individuals cutting themselves while using the knife, including several who required stitches.

The recall involves Gerber EAB Pocket Knives, model numbers 22-41548, 22-41548CDIP, 22-01548W and 22-41548W. The knives are small, folding utility knives that can be clipped to the owners pocket. The knives are marked with the Gerber trademark.

The knives were sold at retail stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart, and through on-line stores from September 2006 through August 2007 for about $11.

They were manufactured in China.

Consumers should stop using the recalled knives immediately and contact Gerber to receive instructions on how to return the knife for a free replacement knife.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at (877) 204-5510 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.gerbergear.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).