I recently bought a tool for log splitting from B&Q and went with the 3.5lbs 'felling axe' rather than the 8lb splitting maul. This is because I've used an axe in the past and know it will work, if I'm doing a lot I thought 8lbs will givw me back ache and also make it harder to do the full overhead chop. Then I'd miss out on the looking hunky diet coke advert effect on Mrs. Svendo!
The felling axe works fine, the maul would probably split big logs and bits with Ys in them better. I have got an electric Alligator (sort of chain saw scissors) so can cut awkward bits into short lengths instead.
My difficulty has been getting a decent chopping block, given that we have mostly scavenged wood so far, any the right size haven't had very parrellel sides. I've also discovered I chop hard enough to crack and sink concrete paving slabs under the chopping block too!