UKH

Just wondering. As the hand rest is metal, do these axes give you cold hand problems?

Aren't all ice tool handles based on metal? Anyway, the Switch handle is covered in rubber so it is nice and warm. I've used mine at below -20 and they were no better or worse than any other tool I've used in cold conditions.  https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/snow+ice/ice_axes/dmm_switch_ice_axes-6189

Or carbon.  I can't say I've noticed a difference so long as the material is covered in rubber.  Shafts are a different story. 

Oh. I didn't realise they had a rubber coating. Just looking at photos, looked like it was bare metal. Ta

Yep - comfy and hardwearing too. But the handle is based on a solid metal skeleton. I think its in the climbing section of Outside in Hathersage where they have some display cases from DMM showing the various stages of manufacturing, and amongst the krabs there is the handle of a Switch - showing how its forged or cut from one lump of aluminium.