Knowing how to pun-duel counts as impressive, given how rare it is.
As for the fight with the Order, tripping Roy, catching Haley's arrow and stabbing Belkar with it, and throwing Durkon did not rely on the axe. For two of them, the axe was a hindrance, as he had to remove a hand from it. So he's clearly capable of impressive maneuvers without the axe.
Yes, his offense is probably reduced. No, he is probably not "severely gimped".