Tom,<br><br>Your comments (as always, it seems) make sense. <br> <br>However, I feel I should mention that I have spilt wood in the manner you have mentioned, with a Benchmade AFCK and a Cold Steel Voyager (5''). The AFCK (a liner lock) never gave me any problems. The lock never failed, the knife never closed, nothing...Alas, I lost that knife about two months ago (fell out of my pocket while I was on the jungle gym showing the children how young and athletic I still am. . .As upset as I was about having lost the knife, I was more upset about having lost it at a playground. Hopefully, a park employee found it, rather than a small child.) The Voyager always worked, but occasionally the knife would fold. I suspect that it was because my "hammer" made contact with the lock release. Something to think about.... <br><br>I now have a Spyderco Wegner. Love this knife, but would never use it to split wood, expect in a genuine emergency. For that I have a Gerber camp axe, the little one. I plan on replacing it soon with a Granfors Bruks.<br><br>Having written all of that, I'm going to reverse myself. I've read back over this and it seems as if I'm trying to sell you an expensive folder, and then maybe trying sell you an tiny (but handy) axe. The point is, it can be done with a folder (preferably a liner lock model), but is better done with an axe or maul or chain saw or explosives. <br><br>Do as you will, but don't discount leaving the fixed blades at home. And be carefull, either way.<br><br>Andy