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Camp Axes

CPSC Recall #97-153 — July 2, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-153
Recall DateJuly 2, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 20,000
ManufacturerColeman

Where It Was Sold

Discount and sporting goods stores nationwide sold the axes from January 1996 through June 1997 for about $20.

Product

Camp Axes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Coleman Co. Inc. of Wichita, Kan., is recalling about 20,000 camp axes. The axe handle could crack or break during use, causing the axe head to separate from the handle. Consumers could be injured if they are hit by the separated axe head or handle.The Coleman Co. Inc. has received two reports of the axe heads separating from the handles. No injuries have been reported.Only the Coleman deluxe camp axe (model 836-430T) is involved in this recall. The axe has a black plastic handle, about 13.5 inches long, and steel axe head, about 2.75 inches long. "Coleman" is imprinted on the handle. The axe comes with a black case for the blade. The axe is packaged for sale in a plastic shell with a green and red backer card that reads in part, "Coleman Deluxe Camp Axe...836-430T."Discount and sporting goods stores nationwide sold the axes from January 1996 through June 1997 for about $20.Consumers should stop using the camp axes immediately and call The Coleman Co. Inc. at (800) 257-5299 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday or write to the company at P.O. Box 2931, Wichita, Kan., 67201 to obtain a full refund.

Hazard

The axe handle could crack or break during use, causing the axe head to separate from the handle. Consumers could be injured if they are hit by the separated axe head or handle.

Incidents & Injuries

The Coleman Co. Inc. has received two reports of the axe heads separating from the handles. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the camp axes immediately and call The Coleman Co. Inc. at (800) 257-5299 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday or write to the company at P.O. Box 2931, Wichita, Kan., 67201 to obtain a full refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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