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Seattle Manufacturing Corporation Recalls Ice Axes Due to Serious Injury and Fall Hazards

  • Recalled Kobah Ice Axe
  • Recalled Kobah Ice Axe pick, adze and head assembly
Name of Product:
Kobah Ice Axes
Hazard:

The spike and/or head of the ice axe can detach from the handle during use, posing serious injury and fall hazards to the climber.

Remedy:
Refund
Recall Date:
August 07, 2019
Units:
About 165
Consumer Contact

SMC at 800-426-6251 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email  customerservice@smcgear.com or online at www.smcgear.com  and click on “recall notifications” for more information. 

Recall Details

Description:

This recall involves Kobah Ice Axes of lengths 60, 65, 70 and 75 centimeters. The axes each have a steel pick and adze joined at the top of an orange aluminum handle shaft by a black polyamide resin head. There is a steel spike in the bottom of the handle shaft. “Kobah,” “SMC” and Manufacturer’s Lot Number (MLN) 10864 are printed on the handle shaft.

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ice axes and return them to Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) for a full refund. SMC is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Incidents/Injuries:

The firm has received one report of the axe’s spike detaching from the handle. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At:
Specialty climbing shops along the West coast and online at www.smcgear.com from March 2019 through June 2019 for about $100.
Distributor(s):
Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (SMC), of Ferndale, Washington
Manufactured In:
United States
Recall number:
19-180
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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

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