In this video, I break down the differences between felling axes, splitting axes, and mauls — and explain why using the wrong tool can make your job a lot harder. We’ll also travel to the Lake District hills in Cumbria to visit one of the oldest axe-making sites in the world: the Langdale Axe Factory. There, Neolithic people crafted axes from a special volcanic stone called tuff — a material strong enough to shape Britain 5,000 years ago. Back home, I demonstrate how axe design really matters when you're cutting across or along the grain — and how to choose the right weight, shape, and handle for your needs. We’re also building something new: an off-grid campsite in the north of Cumbria. No traffic, no crowds — just quiet skies, birdsong, and the crackle of homegrown firewood. Support the channel on Patreon and get access to bloopers, behind-the-scenes, and your name in the credits: Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:43 Why Axe Design Matters 2:12 Great Langdale Axe Factory (and tuff stone) 4:29 Felling vs Splitting 7:18 Firewood Safety 10:01 Splitting Maul 13:20 Handle Tips 14:30 Final Thoughts Thanks for watching – and happy chopping!