BigPipeNZ: looks like a nice invention/innovation, and good on her for taking it further.
But also looks like it might be a real PITA to sharpen it, and if you are using a sledgehammer to knock the wood downwards, it;s going to be hitting that blade quite a bit and so the blade is going to get blunt rather fast and often.
I have one of these devices. A few points:
1/ The blade doesn't need to be super sharp at all. As long as its stable, and is harder than the wood you're splitting, it works.
2/ Sharpening it would be pretty easy, especially if its bolted down (the base has bolt holes and its recommended to bolt it down).
3/ If you're managing to swing a sledgehammer (or even a small hammer) past the safety ring and into the blade, you'd need to revisit your tool choice, and technique. The recommended hammer size is 3lb, and the safety ring prevents the hammer swinging onto the blade. Over time you'll bash the heck out of the safety ring because some (not all) blows will reach it, but they won't easily reach the blade. Alternatively, use a hunk of wood instead of a hammer.
I've had no trouble with mine. I even bought one for my parents.
I quite like splitting kindling up, but have always been fearful and clipping a finger or thumb, this minimises the risk of slicing off a digit, although you still may crush one with a poorly aimed blow.
These are pretty neat, as is the story behind them. Good luck to Ayla in her future endeavours I say!
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