[Greenbuilding] Splitting wood

[dpwentling at comcast.net]

For the last 28 years I have been using a "Monster Maul" which looks like a large triangle of steel welded to a slightly bent steel handle. The "Orange monster" allows my 140 lb short frame to split most logs with 1 - 6 strikes. If the species is wet tangled fibers then I split off side pieces to reduce size.

Many friends I work with are always amazed by the effiency of the tool. Weighing about 15 lbs you lift the maul straight up in front of you and swing downward with a slight rotation at the last sec to apply maximum force.  In my younger days I would cut & split a cord a day, five days a week (I was foolish & young!). Now at a half century old I can still split 30" red oak rounds with 2-3 strikes (only now it's once a week for few hours).

I have not seen this advertised for many years. A recent google search found it called "Splitzall Maul".  Would be interested in knowing if others have every used one.

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David Wentling