The above-pictured Gerber Gator Combo Axe, model #22-49470, has been recalled for posing a laceration hazard. If the axe is used with the knife in the handle, the knife can become dislodged and may injure the user.
Gerber has instructed users to never use the axe with the knife still in the handle. If you own a gator combo axe, contact Gerber to receive a handle cap for combo axe storage and transport, and a warning label.
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This recall does not include the Combo Axe II, which features a saw instead of a knife.
Recall Details via CPSC
Retrofit Details via Gerber
Ethan@OPC
Hehe. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew why it was recalled…
Stuart
The design seems decent enough, but it just looks like the friction lock/knife dock wasn’t enough.
If I owned something like this, I would probably drill a hole through both handles and affix them with a steel dowel pin equipped with an easy-pull split ring or similar.
Maikeru
You’d think that they’d have designed it with a spring-loaded quick-release type “pop pin”—like the ones that are used on weight machines, and other exercise machines, for adjusting seat height and rate of motion (the sort that you pull on, move the seat, then let go of).
They look like this…
Maikeru
I forgot to add that I’ve seen tiny, stripped-down versions (a small knob or even just a split ring to pull on instead of that large knob) of these used on things the size of that axe.
Stuart
I totally agree, a low profile locking pin would be a great idea. But, I can also see how such a protrusion could take away from the comfort of the axe handle.
Maikeru
If I were to add one/redesign the handle, it could also use a ruggedized slider (like those found on Gerber/Fisker’s pruning shears) that’s hooked to the pin. That could be positioned on the butt of the axe near the under side where you’ll never handle it by accident.
Although I’m also thinking that one could lock the knife into the handle with a system similar to that of a back lock on a folding knife. You’d have to hold the axe upside down and push down with decent thumb force as the unlocking point for the back lock type mechanism would ideally be flush with the back of the handle (at the bottom) and use a decently strong spring. The “tooth” of the back lock type mechanism would merely engage the bottom rear of the knife’s handle. If done correctly the mechanism’s “tooth” could ride over the knife’s spine (if they redesign the knife to expose the spine a bit on the back of the handle) and thus be very easy to resheath into the axe.
The only issue with both of these systems is that sliders and back locks can be prone to being filled with debris and jamming unless designed with tolerances wide enough to deal with most of the situations. The advantage of an average pop pin is that it’s pretty much self-clearing due to the direction of motion.
Stuart
I can envision the type of retention mechanisms you’re talking about. Still, at the pricepoint these were sold at, I don’t think Gerber would ever implement such elaborate and cost-elevating mechanisms. I also can’t see Gerber offering this type of nested handle design in any higher-end axe either.
Blade II
Something like a mag release.