Shakespeare Universal Geared Trimmer Line
No documented PFAS use; manufacturer provides no chemical disclosure.
Nylon monofilament trimmer line with no evidence of intentional Teflon-family coating coatings. This product category is not typically treated with PFAS.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nylon monofilament trimmer line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
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.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
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 metals
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.
Source, FDA ↗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.
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.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Shakespeare has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing line 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.