I don’t think it has ever been about practicality
While I totally understand where the reviewer is coming from, I wonder if the original and this improved Batleth handles differently when used by an alien who is iniately stronger than humans and can brute force their ways into weapon efficiency.
Probably not. Humans have been experimenting with ways to kill each other for millenia, if that blade configuration was effective, we would have seen it before.
With Klingons, it’s more about brute force and intimidation than finesse. Plus, if it’s warrior vs warrior they will be wearing some form of armor
This difficulty is part of the challenge to be overcome. It’s cumbersome, awkward, and you look like more of a badass if you can win a battle with one.