The knob of the bat is also a necessary counterweight, without it, there's much less barrel control. So the taper or axe handle are really the only hamate-friendly options available at this point.
Baseball Bat Bros recently did a video hitting with a Demarini Voodoo One with the knob snapped off (common issue with those bats). It still has the same pop, but they struggle to control it without that counter weight.
My son has a Voodoo One that he broke the knob off of, I'm trying to think of a way to add weight to the bottom of the handle & have him use it. Thinking of wrapping the very bottom with lead tape under the grip, and taping over it like a taper.