How the hell do you use the Parasol?

It feels extremely clunky to use. It feels like I'm throwing, well, an open umbrella around, instead of a scythe. The down attack reflects like one projectile, and it's not really worth using it to do that. Not to mention the several things it should block that it doesn't, such as the hambleurger thrown glaives and the small birds.

Is there a way to be using this that I'm missing, or what?