For what you are describing I'd use the sharpened pry bar (DMCG) if I had one. beating on the side of the res C handles doesn't seem to hurt them much but I remember a photo from a dog who beat on the end of his and wore a hole in it. I think it was eatingmuchface but I'm not sure.

If you don't sharpen your axe from time to time, you will soon be chopping with a hammer. JYD #81