Gerber Bear Grylls Parang recall due to blade snapping off

[Storm Crow]

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12248.html

Can't say this is the least bit surprising.

And since they aren't going to show their own product broken:

http://bushcraft.ro/2011/10/parang-bear ... -pic-rupt/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMW4Frpnn3s

[Chirpy]

When I first read it, I thought it said "posing a lactation hazard" which you have to admit makes it even more amusing.

I can't help but wonder if you heat the blade and then urinate on it, will it cure the problem?

[KentsOkay]

Ever since I saw how there machetes have no tang worth speaking of, I've sworn off Gerber entirely. I'd get rid of the lockback Gator I have if it wasn't my dad's and didn't have "First Production Run" on the side.

[Calzonewdippingsauce]

When I first read it, I thought it said "posing a lactation hazard" which you have to admit makes it even more amusing.

I can't help but wonder if you heat the blade and then urinate on it, will it cure the problem?

Bear Grylls would drink his own milk if he could make himself lactate. After all, "its rich in viiitamins!"

[ineffableone]

Equip 2 Endure just did a video about this recall



Honestly I am not surprised, it seems the Gerber quality has gone down hill seriously over the years. Though I do find it extra funny that this happened to the BG parang as he is pretty much a joke too.

[ForgeCorvus]

Damm stupid place to put a hole anyway......This is the reason real parangs are nearly twice as thick in the swan-neck as the spine of the blade (in all the ones I've seen any way).

[mr_slappy75]

Best part is that you can still find them on ebay for ridiculus money! Here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=bear+parang&_sacat=0&_odkw=parang+machete&_osacat=0

I kinda-sorta want a parang (grew up using latin, bolo, puya and panga style machetes) but if I get a factory made one, its going to be a Condor:

http://www.machetespecialists.com/17-parang-high-carbon.html

I do not know anything about this other manufacturer, but their design and construction looks pretty sound:

http://www.machetespecialists.com/malaysian-10-parang.html

BTW the still have the Gerber BG parang in stock... reasonably priced too

http://www.machetespecialists.com/bear-grylls-parang.html

[majorhavoc]

Oops.

[BullOnParade]

Ever since I saw how there machetes have no tang worth speaking of, I've sworn off Gerber entirely. I'd get rid of the lockback Gator I have if it wasn't my dad's and didn't have "First Production Run" on the side.

I swore off Gerber when they started the Bear Grylls line. It's too bad because there are some Friskars products I think would be great practical tools, but I won't support them.

[Neddog]

A little off-topic, but after reading this I was curious what's in Gerber's "Zombie Apocalypse Kit", so I looked it up...
Gator Machete
Camp Axe II
Gator Machete Pro
Parang
LMF II Infantry
DMF Folder
Epic

wtf? 3 machete-like instruments (or short swords, if you may), 3 knives (2 folders at that!), and 1 axe... for $350?

I don't get it... why would anyone need such redundant gear, and why do they call it a "kit"? This is a "set", not a kit. A kit covers numerous needs to get a job done, a set just provides a matching theme. And folders... for a grab bag!? Folders are something you have with you because you can have it with you. When SHTF and you're going to grab a whole bag full of equipment... why would you need a folder then, nevermind two? If a folder is part of your equipment, it should already be on you.

If I wanted a zombie apocalypse kit, I would start with 1 machete, 1 axe, and 1 knife - all durable fixed blades, then add useful stuff from there... xP

Anyways... I didn't know about Gerber's non-use of tangs, but that is a MAJOR issue for me. I would never buy any kind of cutting instrument that doesn't have a full and complete tang (if applicable, of course). I would swear off Gerber too... if I had ever started with them to begin with.

The Bear Grylls connection... yeah, that has to leave a sour taste in the mouth too. I laughed out loud when I first heard the synopsis of the Man vs. Wild show... Man gets thrown into uninhabitable areas to survive with just his wits... and his camera crew. Riiight. lol. That camera crew must be one tough team of hardcore survivalists! That much would be okay if they didn't try to pass it off like a reality show. I didn't need to watch it to know it would be a joke.

[Calzonewdippingsauce]

[Doctorr Fabulous]

[bamboo spear]

Wow, I have to admit I wanted that Apocalypse Kit after seeing that episode of Walking Dead, but that's pathetic. I'll stick with my Cold Steel machete.

[JoergS]

I am shocked that an experienced company like Gerber did not see that coming.

Even without any tests, the weakness at that spot was obvious. And I expect knife makers to go through many tests before they bring out a product that they intent to sell in quantities over 100,000 pieces.

Pathetic.

[Neddog]

Check out this picture of another Gerber Bear Grylls blade snapping...

[ninja-elbow]

Amazon pulled all the BG Parangs they were shwoing:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... Caps%2C298

[ninja-elbow]

I've said it before on this forum and I will say it again - Gerber is a PDX inside joke here. Once we were proud as they used to make all there knives and tools here but I'm not even sure LMFs are made here anymore. I almost got a job with them 9 years ago but took thte law-firm job instead. They were hiring admin, marketing, overseas contacts, and stuff like that as opposed to machinists and engineers to make stuff. They went from making knives business to getting BG stuff on prime shelving in all the stores business.

We still have Kershaw, CRKT, Leatherman, and a few others to be proud of around here.

[maldon007]

We still have Kershaw, CRKT, Leatherman, and a few others to be proud of around here.

...and Helm Forge!



As soon as I saw the machete (before I saw the broken one) I thought, hmmm, that top bolt through the handle is right at the narrowest part of the tang & right where the most force would be, when swinging it

[ninja-elbow]

We still have Kershaw, CRKT, Leatherman, and a few others to be proud of around here.

...and Helm Forge!



As soon as I saw the machete (before I saw the broken one) I thought, hmmm, that top bolt through the handle is right at the narrowest part of the tang & right where the most force would be, when swinging it

I meant Portland-centric companies. ZS does have Helm Forge though and ZS loves that dude

[maldon007]

Oh, gotcha... thought you meant good US bassed makers

[JTNieman]

So far.. I've actually gotten good use out of my BG knife. It's been to two ZCons. I mainly bought it at first as a joke, but it's soldiered on ever since. /shrug

[Walking-dead]

classic told you so moment.

[ineffableone]

I've said it before on this forum and I will say it again - Gerber is a PDX inside joke here. Once we were proud as they used to make all there knives and tools here but I'm not even sure LMFs are made here anymore. I almost got a job with them 9 years ago but took thte law-firm job instead. They were hiring admin, marketing, overseas contacts, and stuff like that as opposed to machinists and engineers to make stuff. They went from making knives business to getting BG stuff on prime shelving in all the stores business.

We still have Kershaw, CRKT, Leatherman, and a few others to be proud of around here.

Yes Gerber used to be a solid good quality company. They had a very good reputation and yes people in the NW were proud of them. But then they started cutting corners, making more overseas, and quality dropped dramatically. I have had my Gerber 600 series multitool for over a decade with no trouble. Gerber multitools used to be good quality but now ones from the same line don't last, I have heard of plenty of folks with the new 600 series that it breaks in just a year of use.

[ninja-elbow]

Funny anecdote (that has not much to do with BG Gear quality):

Went to an REI used gear sale. I was up in the "front half" of the line so got a good view of all the stuff for sale before it got snatched up. I went to the knife and tool section and saw a ton of Gerber Machetes laying about... almost picked up a BG Parang but decided on somethng more important like a 6 person tent and some foam padding. I just thought it was funny to see so many Gerber Machetes clad in orange over in that section - as the used gear comes from returns.