One more thing I would add to splitting, unless you're real friendly with your current maul, is get a high velocity maul like a Fiskars splitting axe, especially if you're dealing with shoulder/back problems or blood pressure related issues. With a torn rotator cuff, I can't swing an 8 or 12 lb maul with enough velocity to split wood efficiently, at least without REALLY regretting doing so. Even a 6 lb maul is rough. My fiskars x27 only weighs a bit over 4 lbs, and is very easy to swing with a lot of speed, and with a compound split shape, splits very aggressively. If I get a VERY stubborn piece, I give it a couple good solid whacks with the maul, and set my wedge in the piece and "drop" my 12lb sledge on it to finish the split. I had to split all last winter with a 3 lb chopping axe because my shoulder injury was fairly fresh, and swinging a 6 lb maul was completely out of the question. It wasn't until after the heating season I discovered the Fiskars maul.
1
