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So, how does one handle altering weapons?
Example: A PC takes the Ripsaw Glaive, and cuts the handle down to use it on adjacent opponents, and take away the reach property.
1) Does the cord-pulling action for extra damage still function?
2) Is it treated as an improvised weapon?
3) Do feats like Weapon Focus apply, or would feats like Catch Off-Guard apply?
4) Does the enchantment bonus apply?
5) Can you still target it with spells like Magic Weapon, or the Inquisitor's Bane ability?
6) Would the damage change?
7) What about taking an axe head off a Orc Double Axe?
Entirely up to the GM.
I'd say if you cut down a polearm, you end up with a weapon with the exact same stats as an equivalent weapon (so shortening a halberd means you now own an axe; not a polearm).
Thus I would say that no feats that depend on it being a halberd or a polearm would work any more. You don't fight with the weapon in the same way, thus it isn't that kind of weapon. I wouldn't make it improvised though; though if someone wanted to tie an axe to a stick and call it a halberd, I probably would.
1) Don't know; depends on how you would think it works and if the haft is necessary.
2) Only if there is no reasonable alternative weapon. Perhaps something complex like a mancatcher would be considered improved if the haft is cut down to size.
3) Not unless they have Weapon Focus (whatever you think the weapon is now that it is no longer a polearm)... A short halberd is called an axe, so you'd need Weapon Focus (axe).
4) Yes
5) Yes
6) Yes; it would use the damage die of the new weapon type (so axe instead of halberd). If there is no equivalent, then it uses improvised weapon damage die.
7) Then you have a Orc Single Axe, also known as an axe. It would lose the magical qualities of the removed head, obviously. You could argue that it is now a double Axe/Quarterstaff but... that's pushing it.
These are my opinions because this doesn't really have rules to cover it. Technically, you could just say no to everything and call the mangled weapon improvised and be done with it.
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By the way, there is no "Axe" weapon.
There is the Orc Double Axe, Dwarven Longaxe, Throwing Axe, Dwarven Maulaxe, Boarding Axe, Handaxe, Battleaxe, Greataxe, Pickaxe, Knuckle Axe, Hooked Axe, Dwarven Waraxe, and Dwarven Double Waraxe. Just saying.
Why do think it would count as a different weapon, but not an improvised weapon?
I'd probably go with 2 for the ripsaw glaive (a bit harsh maybe, but what the heck)... treating it like an improvised weapon should answer the rest of your questions about it (I could go either way on the spinning function... though honestly I think it is a stupid weapon designed by a somebody who doesn't know anything about how actual weapons work).
I might let the player design a new type of weapon that is similar but shorter if he had enough ranks in craft weaponmaking and work with him to create new stats for it, but just hacking the haft down makes an improvised weapon.
Taking the head off one end of an orc double axe would probably just leave you with a battle axe (perhaps with a slightly longer than normal handle, but no in game effects).
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Was it adjusted with a craft skill check or is the weapon now have the "broken" condition (-2 to all attacks, only crit on a nat 20 for x2) due to the fact that it is off ballance, etc?
Also, if it was adjusted with a craft skill check, then you may have made a new exotic (as in one of a kind) weapon that you are most likely not proficient in. Take Exotic Weapon Prof (short ripsaw glaive) to show that you learned to use this new weapon. Until then, -4 to all attack rolls, but would have all of the other features that you meant to keep (damage, crit range, crit multiplier, etc).
Blackbloodtroll - True; I suppose a halberd would shorten to a battleaxe. Some polearms are just normal melee weapons with a longer haft, such as the halberd or long spear. Cutting the handle down to use in normal quarters just makes it a normal weapon, such as a battleaxe or short spear.
Other options, such as mancatchers or some more exotic polearms have no short version; then I would make them an improvised weapon.