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CPSC recall · Reported August 7, 2019

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

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.

Recall #
19180
Affected scope
About 165
Verify with CPSC →
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Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington recalled This recall involves Kobah Ice Axes of lengths 60, 65, 70 and 75 centimeters. The axes ea… - a moderate-severity action.

Seattle Manufacturing Corporation Recalls Ice Axes Due to Serious Injury and Fall Hazards was recalled by Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington in August 7, 2019. Reason: The spike and/or head of the ice axe can detach from the handle during use, posing serious injury and fall ha…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ice axes and return them to Seattle …. Verify recall #19180 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The spike and/or head of the ice axe can detach from the handle during use, posing serious injury and fall ha….

Moderate
severity level
August 7, 2019
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #19180 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #19180) was formally reported on August 7, 2019. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 165.

The documented reason for this recall is: 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. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: 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. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 165

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product 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.

Reason for recall

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, what to do

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.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 19180
Date reported August 7, 2019
Date initiated August 7, 2019
Recalling firm Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington
Affected scope About 165
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ice axes and return them to Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) for a fu…

  • Check the recall number (19180) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
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.. Recalled by Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (Smc), of Ferndale, Washington. Units affected: About 165.
Why was this product recalled?
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.
What should consumers do?
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.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on August 7, 2019. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 19180.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (19180) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported August 7, 2019. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.