How about...

How about axes having “natural” bleeding damage, just as swords and pointed weapons in general?

They already have piercing, that is enough / better than bleeding

Add only bleeding dmg to them and internal trauma dmg to blunt weapons such as maces/hammers, keeping piercing only for swords/pointed weapons. It makes sense, I think, and makes bleeding/internal trauma/piercing physical builds more consistent in the weapons department.