Also that is not how a wooden handle is attached to an axe. The handle goes on the inside and maybe a wedge goes in the top, depending on the kind of wood and form.

Maybe he’s just there to kill Rudy.

I’m overthinking it, but it’s maybe not as dark as it’s meant to look. I mean, she clearly survived being turned into an axe. And hey, with this guy chopping down trees entirely by hand, maybe he’s the type to make his own tools. They could actually wind up together!