Needed a file.

? Not sure what I am looking at.

Me either.

found a foreign object - didn't manage to nick the axe.

Correct?

Now, what IS that foreign object?

This was in a piece of red oak firewood I was working on. I cut the log into rounds & while splitting them I found this which appears to be a drill bit of some sort. Notice the blue in the wood grain. When you find that in a tree it is a sure sign of metal present.

I didn't nick my maul or wedge but avoiding it with my saw was the thing I was most happy of. It appears to be a drill bit of some sort.

Got it thanks for the explanation