I have to give credit to the AS members for this one.
I read all the fuss and finally got one a month or so ago. I split everything by hand and have used 6 & 8# mauls and sledge and wedge for the last 30 years. I could easily go out and buy a gas powered splitter, but to be honest I enjoy splitting wood by hand.
I ordered mine online. That is a funny story, I was sitting at the computer and my wife noticed I was in Paypal and asked what I just bought. I told her I just ordered my new log slpitter. She said it was about time that I was getting to old to split wood by hand. About a week went by and I told her the UPS guy was delivering my log splitter that day to make sure she was home in the afternoon. She was quite surprised when he handed her a little box.
Anyhow, I haven't touched a maul since I got the Fiskars, it works every bit as well as everyone here says. It's light, easy to swing and splits every bit as good as the heavy mauls, and you feel alot better at the end of your day for the effort. I am very impressed with how well the handle is holding up to over strikes and driving through the wood. The handle still looks new after about 4 cords of wood. The special coating in gone off the head, doesn't seem to affect anything. I just thought it was funny how they use that as a marketing ploy, and it wears off so quickly. There is some stuff it won't handle, just like the mauls, that's when the noodles fly.
I also have to give kudos for the tire on the spliiting stump idea, that has saved me alot of bending over.
