I have become something of a splitting/riving aficionado. I have been searching far and wide for better tools for this job, rehandling lots of old tools I found on auction sites.
I recently discoverd that Fiscars makes a very reasonably priced line of axes and mauls, that appear to be well designed for this work. They have both a cutting and splitting head design. The handles on these tools are some sort of “Isocore” design which they “guarantee for life”. These handles do seem to absorb a good deal of shock, maybe even better than Ash handles. I bought a pick with the same handle design which I have used.
I just got a 8 lb maul and ordered a hatchet, for cutting fibers in splits. I also ordered a 23” splitting axe. I will report back once I test them out.