While birch, oak, and pine logs will usually all grow in a straight grain that goes good with splitting it end to end, a maple log has a curly grain that resists end to end splitting.
What to do?
Lay the maple log lengthwise on a chopping block and split it horizontally instead of vertically. It will NOT split like this, horizontally, with just one heavy-hitter, winner super-strike but will take about 4-5 strikes for each 14" length of maple.
And don't forget, splitting your own fire wood with your arm strength and coordination without a gasoline power log splitter will build a strong body, 12 ways, just like Wonder Bread! .....
