Some tools have been swinging their weight around for centuries, literally. The maul is one of them. Born to be a weapon of war and reborn as a workhorse of the woodpile, this heavy hitter has earned its place as one of the most dependable splitting tools in American toolmaking history.
From Medieval Mayhem to Modern Muscle
The maul’s story goes back to the 14th century, when it was first swung not at logs, but at foes. Early “war mauls” were heavy, hammer-like weapons capable of crushing armor with a single blow. A brutal testament to the power of mass and momentum.
As centuries passed and battlefields gave way to backwoods, the maul found a new calling. Loggers, lumberjacks, and homesteaders discovered that the same design that could shatter armor could also split the toughest rounds of firewood. By the 1800s, the maul had fully evolved into a tool of the trade (Top Picture). A heavy, wedge-shaped head on a long handle designed not to cut, but to force wood grain apart with raw power.
The Maul vs. The Axe
While often mentioned in the same breath, a splitting axe and a splitting maul are far from identical twins.
–The Axe: Sharper, slimmer, and more versatile. Great for felling trees or chopping smaller logs.
–The Maul: Heavier, blunter, and built for battle. With a thick, wedge-shaped bit and a flat poll opposite the edge. The maul doesn’t slice, it smashes wood apart, using its weight and leverage instead of sharpness alone.
Most splitting mauls range from 6 to 8 pounds in head weight, with handle lengths around 28 to 36 inches, often crafted from American hickory.
The Maul in Modern Times
Today, the maul’s purpose remains as honest and straightforward as ever. Splitting firewood for the home, camp, or cabin.
Whether it’s stacking rounds for a weekend firepit or preparing a winter’s worth of heat for the stove, the maul continues to deliver dependable strength with every swing.
In a world of electric splitters and battery-powered tools, the maul still represents something refreshingly simple: a direct connection between human effort and result.
For many, it’s not just about the woodpile, but the ritual: stepping outside, swinging steel into seasoned oak, and hearing that clean crack as the log gives way. It’s a timeless rhythm that hasn’t changed in centuries.
The Council Tool Way
Our new design incorporates a more compact head, with a concave-wedge shape to the blade, and a wider body to give more “pop” to your pile. The head is balanced front to back, with a slightly tapered poll that can be used to finish your split, without having to drive your blade back into the opened round, keeping your blade out of the dirt or stump (Right and Bottom Picture).
Whether you’re a seasoned woodcutter or preparing the fireplace for winter, the Ol’ No. 7 is a reminder that some designs need to be respected, refined, and forged to last.
Credit:
-Everything to Know about Splitting Mauls by Michael Culligan on the Awesome Axes website
-Post on Reddit by Mister__Joshua in the Axecraft forum