Dear Chris,
Will try to answer both questions .... the original engineering design of the master head (and the resulting mold and 6150VSS casting) was set up for multiple goals:
(1) produce materials for a head based on the very successful Warhawk (with "extra" razor sharp fighting edges) for lathe and milling machine work to accept interchangeable threaded accessories installed in the poll including a hammer (standard) and a carbide-tipped spike designed for kevlar penetration in both vests and helmets.
(2) produce materials for several other (smaller) heads that could be ground and machined from that larger 6150VSS casting.
Reference (1) we spent a bit of time on correspondence with retired Special Forces MSG Kim Breed of BLADE Magazine, and he was quite helpful on suggestions for the spike. The project was referred to as the "Recon Hawk." Unfortunately, there seems to be no reasonable source of carbide-tipped drill rod stock to be machined into the spikes.
What was left is a casting that served as the "father" of the more efficient master head for the smaller Longhunter and Woodsman (originally machined and ground from the big casting) and as materials for the Voyageur (actually the oldest design I make, based on my own Hudson Bay style canoe axe which I have used for many years). The "big beast" still has the metal necessary at top and bottom for machining "warhawk" style fighting edges. But it has the weight and authoritative main cutting edge of the Voyageur for serios camp chores.
Reference your question as to the utility of a spike: If all you are going to use your axe for is chopping up and impaling members of the opposing army (like the purpose of the medieval arms from which the spike hawk is descended) it is a damn effective tool.
If you intend to use your hand axe for routine chores, survival requirements, and the normal requirements of an axe the spike actually gets in the way most of the time. My original ("change the tool in the poll") idea for the Recon was an attempt to meet both design requirements. By the way, if anybody suddenly thinks this would be a good idea to steal, I still have a lot of copyrighted drawings (and the correspondence with Kim Breed) and I will sue you into oblivion. I need to secure some future revenue for my heirs.
Or I might just add your scalp to my materials supply, since even an old man needs some amusement now and then.
Hope this information helps.
Best regards,
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net