Gerber Kick Axe
I love this thing. It fills a niche between multi-use chopping blades like machetes and survival knifes, and dedicated wood splitting tools like hatchets. Hatchets and axes can be a pain to store and carry. Besides, it totally passes the "looks badass" test.
News about the Kick Axe first broke in 2009, and has been making the rounds again lately. Unfortunately, it was never released, and according to Gerber, never will be. When I went looking for more information, links to the Gerber site turned up dead, and there was no news at all after 2009. So I emailed the company, who said-
The Kick Axe was announced for release in 2009 and due to a number of concerns was not released. Production of this product has been cancelled indefinitely.
I have a Gerber Sport Axe that's been amazing, and held up to all kinds of abuse. I can't imagine a folding axe taking the kind of punishment. Not for the announced $90 price anyway. The hinges would have to stand up to incredible amounts of stress.
On a forum, someone said-
I made sure to ask Gerber about this one at SHOT this year. Apparently it was killed by the lawyers.
That makes sense. There are lots of ways to hurt yourself on a broken folding axe.
It doesn't seem like an impossible project though. Maybe we'll see it again if they ever get the kinks worked out. I'd certainly buy one.