Wow, sounds like a nasty accident.
What about getting a 5lb splitting wedge and welding a steel tube handle to it? I should be able to swing that, and then if it doesn't go through, I could beat on it with a maul. Or should I just keep using what I have and get a couple wedges for when things get stuck? Anybody like those wood grenades?
If you are going to split anything more than small pine or poplar, or some other wimpy wood, you need wedges and a sledge hammer. If you are breaking handles, you need to work on your technique.
I have the Iron & Oak monster maul, a regular 8 pound maul (fiberglass handle, of course!), some wedges, and an 8 pound sledgehammer. Again, fiberglass handle.
I split everything with those, except elm and crotches. I hope to get a hydraulic splitter for that stuff some day, but meanwhile my setup goes through everything from pine to poplar to hickory to oak, from 12" up to 36", and occasionally 40". With the biggest stuff, I do quarter the face of the round about 3" deep with the chainsaw, to help me get started. At 24" I don't bother with that.
I love the Iron & Oak maul. My local hardware store has one that looks more like the TSC version. I doesn't look to me as good, but it might be just fine.
I also bought my
wedges from Iron & Oak - they are very good. Really bite well. I have a hardware store wedge that is much harder to start.
The
small hammer I bought wasn't worth SPIT. It didn't last a half season of using it to set wedges. Head broke off at the weld.
BTW, those prices you see on the website include shipping. Great folks to deal with. I would have no hesitation buying from them again.
Bailey's has a good assortment of
mauls, and like Iron & Oak, they are very good people.