Splitting and Cutting Wood
History tells us that the axe has had some religious significance in earlier times. Axes also indicated an exalted status for the owner. Their value is manifested in their being presented as gifts to the deities. Folklore also has it that stone axes were believed to be thunderbolts and were used to guard buildings against lightning. The reason for this practice is hinged on the belief that lightning never struck the same place twice.
This seems to be far removed from what we know the axe to be today. We know the axe to be an implement that is used to split and cut wood. The axe is a wedge shaped piece of metal on top of a long handle that provides leverage for a powerful swing with the sharp edge of the wedge hitting the piece of wood or log with the grain so the wedge will split the wood along the grain. It is still preferred over mechanical splitters because of their portability. It will easily fit in a car trunk or truck. Splitting wood with the use of an axe is also considered a good exercise.