Presumed, you make an absolute perfect point about choking up on the handle. When I am preparing fuzz sticks or splits with my Hunter's ax, my hand is right up against the head. This is just about the most efficient wood shaver position I have ever found. The comfort of the handle and the shape of the ax head allow exceptional and safe control of the tool, and for me much faster and better than any knife I have ever used. I have used the steel shafted Estwing and could not stand that handle. I totally agree with:

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It may be true that the steel-shank handle can't break, but IMHO, if you use and carry it enough, you sort of wish it would.
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