This mod bypasses Modest beginnings's requirement to use an axe in order to break wood

Modest Beginnings (https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/modest-beginnings)

Ack! Sorry for not replying. I'll look into it. Thanks for reporting!

The mod author says it has been discontinued, and source is not available to figure out how to fix it. Leaving open in case others run into this issue