When we heard about the recall of a machete because it posed a laceration hazard, we thought it was a parody. Cutting—isn't that what a machete is for? What's next: Candles that catch fire, folding chairs that fold up, steam mops that spurt steam? Nevermind—all those things have been recalled as well.

Still, it makes us laugh when something is recalled because it does the very thing it was made to do (but poorly). Now let's cut to the chase: Gerber Legendary Blades has recalled 149,000 Gator Machetes and 6,000 Gator Machetes Jr. because the user's hand can slip off the handle and slide forward across the blade. The company has received five reports of individuals cutting themselves while using the Gator Machete, all of whom required stitches. Ouch.

Since getting the reports, the company has redesigned the handle so it now has a guard (see image). If you own one without the guard, the company will replace it. See the recall notice for contact information.

This isn't Gerber's first cutting edge recall. In 2007, it recalled 154,000 pocket knives because, you guessed it, they can cut you.

-- Mary H.J. Farrell