How much wood would a woodchuck chop.

I started out well yesterday and, noticing I'm getting through the firewood at a rapid rate of knots, decided to check out the emergency stash under the house.  Hauled out about 12 logs and, oh that's right, they are all really gnarly ones, and hard ol' native wood, dry as a bone. Someone has given up on each one and hidden it away.  These are lumps of stone even a chainsaw would run from.

However, full of energy and optimism, having just had my last appointment with the physio, and with the added incentive of overnight frost impending again, decided to tackle these anyway.  

I use the two axe method (don't wince guys; no criticism from you unless you are offering to come on over and do it for me).  I aim and whack the top of the log with the regular axe, then belt the hell out of it with the back of the splitting axe.

Got two done this way, feeling pretty pleased with myself and only a couple of twinges from the lower back.  Decided to have a go at one that bore half a dozen marks of previous assaults, which, in retrospect, should have been a warning....

Bloody thing - I got almost right through but there must be a branch or knot or something, and now the axe is stuck fast.  I include photos.

 All suggestions or, better still, offers of help in person, gratefully accepted.