When you are splitting some serious wood, you may have thought, "There has got to be a better way to do this!", and there is - a log splitter.
But let's go through the progression.
Most people splitting wood at home will start off with a splitting maul.
A splitting maul is like an axe in function, but it looks more like a wedge.
The angle of the head is larger, and that pushes the log apart.
When you are using a splitting maul, you want power which translates into weight times the square of the speed.
When in doubt, use a lighter maul and swing it faster.
You should aim for the edges of the log rather than the center.
There is a skill to wood splitting, and much of this is learned through hours of experience.
Subtle nuances about the weak points of wood, where to aim, and increasing the speed of the swing by snapping wrists will then reveal themselves to you.
Aside from this skill, you will gain forearms and shoulders of steel, so if you are doing this comfortably within your time, you will gain physical benefits and this may be your best option.
If you are thinking about mechanical means other than a splitting maul, the manual log splitting operates in a way similar to a car jack.
By moving a lever back and forth, the manual log splitting will slowly drive a wedge through a log.
A powered log splitter (Hydraulic log splitter) is the way to quickly split logs without using your own power.
Horizontal log splitters require you to lift a log and place it on the splitting surface, while a vertical splitter will allow you to just push and roll the log into place.
You can get a gas or electric splitter with power ranging from 8 tons and above.
Keep your splitting wedge around though as you may need both at times.