Axe vs Maul

The axe is the one with the two blades on it and the whole thing is shiny. It is light and easy to swing. It also doesn't split wood very well.

The maul on the other hand is heavy, and has two little separator things that help split the wood. They do this by folding out when they hit the wood and tend to push it apart. When there is no more pressure on them they are pulled back in by springs. They do a great job.

The only thing the maul didn't work well on is soft (rotting) wood. In which case the axe was the tool of choice.