Would this thing work?

Doubtful.

I don't see how you could generate enough force to match even a weak swing with a 6-lb maul.

It might split the straight-grained chunk in the pic, in other words, but not anything you're likely to encounter under actual battlefield conditions.

They are not good. Eric is right on the money. Mine gets no use. My former honey from NYC bought it.

Mike P

the way the describe the thing. makes it looks like a big scam it's almost like with this tool you'll never need a wood splitter ever again
i would not buy it.

thanks
Jason

That thing wouldnt work on frozen Maple

Put a suction cup on it and pull dents out of cars with it.

I have often wondered about these things. Guess I now know.

The manual splitter that I own is a variation of the ones above although I think it's designed a little better. http://www.firewood-splitter.com/
You'd be suprised at the downward force you can generate with a 7lb head. I use mine mainly for smaller stuff that I could split with my 6lb maul. It's more of a time saver than anything, and I also use mine to make kindling.
If you are a person that (for some reason) cannot swing a maul, and don't want to pony up a few hundred for one of the cheaper (electric) splitters, these things are worth a look.
Not everyone is a big burly man like some of you guys...

just some thoughts...

Oh god, my neighbors 2 houses away use that to split rounds instead of a splitting maul. I heard a noise one afternoon - clink-clink-clink-clink-clink all afternoon. I wander down and there she is dropping the head about 20 times and getting nowhere. It must work but seemed to be taking her an amazing number of hits to actually crack a log. They seemed very proud of it though, although I never saw it split anything while I stood there and watched. They have amazing patience and don't appear to burn much wood. clink-clink-clink-clink-clink-clink-clink-clink-clink-clink

Ya...the splitting power is directly proportionate to how hard you can "throw" that weight down at the wood. I don't imagine you'd get too far just dropping it. I generally use both hands and throw that baby HARD. But...for most of my splitting it's the 6lb maul and wedges.