Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete recall due to handle weakness that could pose laceration hazard

CLEVELAND - Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes have been recalled because of weak handles that could pose a laceration hazard.

The recall involves 119,000 machetes imported by Gerber Legendary Blades of Portland, Ore. and sold at sporting goods stores nationwide and online from Jan. 2011 through June 2012.

The curved blade machete has 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 "BG" on it. The blade is marked with the "GERBER" trademark and a Bear Grylls trademark.

The machetes were sold separately or as one of the products in Gerber's Apocalypse Survival Kit and were manufactured in China.

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.

So far, the firm received 24 reports of breakages, including one report of a laceration injury in Canada that didn't involve stitches.

Contact Gerber Legendary Blades at 1-877-314-9130 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website http://www.gerbergear.com for more details.