> I was really impressed by the contra-rotating prop opportunity that becomes possible because of how small electric engines are (for their power).

Did that really have to do with the electric motors? They even gave an example of a combustion engine plane that did the same.

I feel like it would chop up The air too much for the second propeller?

The issue with the «chopping» is noise level. Counter rotating propellers are more efficient than a single propeller. «Contra-rotating propellers have been found to be between 6% and 16% more efficient than normal propellers.» https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra-rotating_propellers