Bestselling Petzl Ice Axe Recalled After Several Cases of Handle Breaking

On February 23, Petzl announced a recall of certain batches of their bestselling Nomic and Ergonomic ice axes for risk of handle failure. The company is asking customers to immediately stop using them and to contact their after-sales service for a replacement shaft.

According to a safety alert on their website, the Petzl team recently learned of several cases of the Nomic and Ergonomic ice axes breaking at the handle. If a handle were to suddenly detach from its blade on a runout ice climb—or worse, a free solo—this could cause serious injury or death.

The recall applies specifically to the next-generation Nomic, with product reference number U021AA00, as well as the latest Ergonomic, with product reference number U022AA00.

For the Nomic, the only affected serial numbers are from 17 L 0000000 000 to 20 F 9999999 999. For the Ergonomic, the only affected serial numbers are from 18 F 0000000 000 to 21 L 9999999 999. To check your serial number, look at the number printed on the handle about one inch below the blade.

The Nomic is one of the bestselling ice axes on the market. In 2019, Climbing editors selected the Petzl Nomic as an Editor’s Choice product and recommended the Ergonomic for difficult mixed climbing.

Read the full recall details here.

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