Doc, you should get a used mini c-arm fluoroscopy machine so you can look inside your tools! (or befriend a local orthpedist and ask if you can take your tools over to their office for xray inspection). I'm an orthopedic surgeon in PA who happens to also very much like tools and DIY and I can take anything over to my office for an xray if I happen to already have the same tool you're speaking about.

That Estwing is a battle axe.

Assuming the hole was a design issue and not just cosmetic, it's got to be to give the axe a forward weight, which certainly can be good for a heavy chopping tool but isn't necessary for a splitting axe. I'd have to swing the thing to really guess. It looks butch without being silly, but I think Milwaukee is mostly hoping to sell it to people who are particular fans of the brand and will tend to buy it on that basis.

I too have about a dozen axes only because I hate sharpening them. So I do it once a year and then rotate

I’m an ax junkie and this looks like a good ax to throw in a toolbox in the back of the truck. I’m also a Gransfors Bruks fanboy But I have to say my favorite splitting mall is a Wetterlings i’ve had it for a long time, even before I got my Gransfors splitting mall.

I'm wondering if that void behind the striking head was to move the center of mass closer to the wedge to either get more penetration or aid in the momentum transfer. Perhaps it helps with a poor swing and side strikes where the axe would want to twist. I'd be curious to know their thought process behind the design.

Looks like it would get the job done. I like the design of the blade other than the hole seems a little odd. Thanks Doc

I bought the Milwaukee duct knife recently. It's sharp and pretty hand as a general cutting knife for boxes etc. it was inexpensive too at around $20 from HD.

Skuuurrrrttt...

This was clearly designed by somebody who doesn't know a single thing about axes. You don't remove weight from the head of an axe, especially from one that has a heavy ass steel handle that's already killing the top heavy balance of the thing. Those who don't know how poorly designed this thing is probably think Gransfors Bruks axes are the best in the world.

The Milwaukee 16in axe is about 2.5lbs. Much better to pack or carry on a pickup.

Haha we can see 😊😊

That handle is too short for a splitter. Just asking for a missed strike to find your shin.

if strength through mass is bogus why use a 1/2 ratchet, just stick to 1/4? Lol