Survival knives tend to be substantial, full-tang beasts. They have to be to accomplish emergency tasks like chopping wood for a fire, building a shelter or preparing food. But not the Axxis, a survival-oriented multi-tool that’s currently funding on Kickstarter.

At roughly 14 ounces and seven inches in length, the Axxis is more packable than most wilderness fixed blades. It might offer more, too: its unique form combines axe head and cleaver with a dash of brass knuckles that allows for various grip options. Its form comes directly from stone age hand axes, which early peoples relied on as a means of survival. This modern version is more practical — it can cut, slice, pierce and chop. Plus, if your bushcrafting skills are honed, you can turn it into a full-size axe.

Bone Daddy Blade Werx, the company behind the Axxis, made it with solid D2 tool steel and a titanium nitride finish that resists abrasion and corrosion, which make for a low-maintenance construction that you don’t need to fuss over after putting it to work. The Axxis is available for preorder now and is expected to ship in October 2020.

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