The adze blade was most commonly made from nephrite. Adzes were used to work antler and bone as well as wood. Nephrite adzes were heat treated over fire, which gave them a high polish. The adze blade, also known as a celt, was most commonly attached to one of three handle styles; the elbow adze, D-adze or straight adze.

Each style of adze had different uses. In an elbow adze, the blade was attached to an L-shaped piece of wood. This style allowed the user to strike at an object with as much force as possible, as one would with a hammer or hatchet. This was used for rougher work.

The D-adze, where the blade was attached to the front of a capital "D" shaped wooden handle, provided the carver with more control. This style was for the finer work of planing and shaping. The straight adze, very much like a chisel, allowed for manoeuvring and carving in tight spaces.

The wedge, sometimes made of wood, often made of antler, was used to split off pieces of wood or planks from large trees, usually Western Redcedar. Wedges were hammered into wood by the maul. As the wedge was driven deeper into the wood, it eventually forced a piece or plank from the tree.

Mauls, fashioned in many different shapes and styles, were hammers without a handle. The Snuneymuxw maul in this collection is known as a flat top maul.