those ARE necessary part of splitting wood.
and a rag or cover over the water mugs to keep out bugs and chips.
Accessible holders for water, hand axe,
A short wood chunk for pushing off blocks stuck on the wedge as the wedge retracts. (I don't like the metal 'log kicker offers' near the cylinder as they always seem a safety hazard on retract to me.)
I liked the idea of the garage sale deck umbrella that someone here mounted. search for pics.