In reply to UKC Gear:
Uhrgh, triggered.
"It is at that moment where if you are relaxed enough the tool is, just to a tiny degree, "rolling" over your index finger and that's why some people want a handle small enough to feel the top of the handle against the upper edge of your index finger."
I have to question this, your Vipers don't have this neither do North Machines or Quarks but they all swing very well into ice. There are a lot of gimmicks out there, most are harmless like this. the only time I can think where you would have your hand too high on the handle was when your leashes were too short back in the 90s. Having the handle brushing the top of your index finger ... nah.
A good swing can be achieved with most axes with a bit of practise but a well designed handle helps, the X Dream and Nomic both have this with a palm swell which really helps prevent over rotation. The Quark/North Machine etc achieve this as a function of the spike protruding below the hand which prevents over rotation by acting in the same way. Note the X-Dream isn't adjustable for size but you can change the trigger or remove it.
Something like the Dark Machine is woeful for me and the handle requires quite a bit of work. It's too thin and contoured at the base meaning as soon as you relax you're going to over rotate. This isn't helped by the balance with all the weight in the head but hey, developed by Greg Boswell so what do I know (time stamp 3:25)
https://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/categories/gear/grivel_-_dark_machine_and...
These Edelrid Rages (cool name) look to have it nailed however and the plastic thingy can be discarded into that top drawer of gimmicky things you're never going to actually use and is harmless enough for people with small hands.