The hollow handle buckled with disturbing ease ...
Are you sure it was an Estwing axe? I have a very old one my father owned when I was a child, and a newer one purchased when my son was in Boy Scouts, and they are both solid steel handles. I didn't think Estwing even made hollow handle axes.
They currently only sell solid handle axes.
https://www.estwing.com/collections/axes-outdoor