I used an ordinary axe to split logs until one day, I caught the hickory handle on the edge of the log and broke it. As a replacement, I purchased the Silverline 763553 Fibre Shaft Log Splitting Maul. It was delivered very promptly and was well wrapped. A bit like a sledge hammer with a sharpened edge, this tool makes short work of splitting logs. Much better than an ordinary axe and the fibre handle has a rubber sheath, which lessens the shock should one catch the handle on the log being split. Usually, one blow is enough to cleave a thick log such is the momentum of the heavy head. I am amazed that all this time, I have managed without this wonderful tool.