I have a bit of a selection of both mauls and splitting axes - the axes are set at different angles, so on some wood a 5lb axe is more effective than an 8lb maul. Both mauls have fibreglass shafts the older 'black forest type' has a shaved down fibreglass pick handle this totally changes to vibs coming up the shaft. The axes are of the very old english forged heads with wooden shafts plus a few modern axes with fibreglass shafts.

I find using a selection really saves energy when splitting all day