Shakespeare · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Shakespeare Universal Geared Trimmer Line
No known PFAS use. Silent on chemicals. Low concern.
Trimmer line is nylon monofilament, not a PFAS-prone product category. Shakespeare discloses nothing about PFAS, but no evidence of intentional Teflon-family coating coatings in this product type.
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Nylon monofilament trimmer line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shakespeare Universal Geared Trimmer Line is nylon monofilament, a synthetic polymer extruded into a single continuous filament. Nylon monofilament is chemically stable at room temperature and does not leach additives under normal use conditions (cutting grass, trimming vegetation). The material's primary advantage is mechanical durability and UV resistance; degradation occurs slowly over months to years of outdoor exposure, not through chemical migration into soil or water at typical application rates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing, a Newell Brands subsidiary) manufactures fishing tackle and garden equipment globally. The company does not publish detailed chemical composition or safety data sheets for consumer trimmer line products as a standard practice. No recalls, chemical contamination incidents, or formal safety complaints specific to this trimmer line are on public record. Brand transparency on chemical additives in nylon formulations is minimal but consistent with industry norms for this product category.
How it compares in its category
Nylon monofilament trimmer line is the industry standard across all major brands (Stihl, Husqvarna, Ryobi, Echo) with virtually identical composition and safety profiles. This product offers no material advantage or disadvantage versus competitors in terms of chemical hazard. Alternatives include twisted nylon, polymer blends, and specialty elastomer cores, but these present no documented safety improvements for residential users.
If you buy it
Store spools indoors in cool, dry conditions to slow UV degradation; nylon becomes brittle over 2-3 years of sun exposure. Replace trimmer line when it becomes noticeably thin, frayed, or loses cutting efficiency, typically every 1-2 seasons of regular use. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin, though nylon itself is not a known contact irritant. Dispose of used line in regular trash; it is non-toxic and not classified as hazardous waste.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Nylon polymer degradation and fragmentation
Extended UV exposure causes surface cracking and shedding of microfibers into soil and grass clippings. Quantities are small and localized, but fragmentation accelerates with age and improper storage.
Additives in nylon formulation (stabilizers, colorants)
Shakespeare does not disclose specific additive packages used in this product. Industry-standard UV absorbers and colorants in nylon monofilament are not known to leach under normal garden use.
Heavy metal contamination in dye or pigment
No recalls or test data indicate heavy metal content in Shakespeare trimmer line. Nylon is typically dyed with organic azo or synthetic colorants that are stable in the polymer matrix.
Inhalation risk during use
Trimmer line does not generate dust, fumes, or volatile emissions during operation. No respiratory hazard has been documented for this product or category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More fishing line & fishing tackle grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.