Balance

[Shotgun]

I read somewhere, I think it was in "An axe to grind," that an axe should have a neutral balance. Meaning when you grip the end of the haft and let the head swing free it should come to rest with the haft perpendicular to the ground. Is this something that effects chopping accuracy/power or is this just to be able to use the axe as a plumb bob? Seems to me there are a lot of choppers out there that don't follow this idea and are pretty successful designs. The kukri being the main one I can think of off hand. I'm asking because I want to shave some weight off my trail hawk by cutting off the hammer pole. Something I don't use so why carry the weight?