Best advice: hit that shit!

Find a sturdy stump wide at the bottom. Sharpen your maul. Don't believe the old gag about warming yourself twice when splitting. Do believe that you'll be arthritic soon enough. Cut them a little shorter( they will be easier to split and handle start to finish). Save your money and your back and buy a used splitter. I was young and tough once, but I got over it. I'm 75 now and enjoy working still with wood, but I build as much machinery as I can (with wheels) to make it happen. Great ideas on internet how to make the whole process easier. Happy New year , and happy logging!

Drive an even line across the top in a cross. Then strike the 2" at the edge and rip down the side in one strong stroke. Turn the round about 6" and do it again. When you've gone all the way around then strike the edge 3" in across between where you ripped. It will come apart there then turn and repeat. I've split hundreds of cords of wood of every kind. You might put a short large round underneath and clear the area it sits on to contact solid ground.

💕Wow💛💛💚💚💚💛💚

The length of the log is fine. Your maul is fine. It’s your position and technique that need work. For one thing another chunk underneath as a splitting block will raise the level to a more comfortable height and help prevent lower back injury. I’m a woman from Maine and I split all my firewood myself. Most of it’s the same size as your chunks, some might be longer, and I set up six or eight in a big circle around me, so I can split them all in sequence, then set all the halves up and go around the circle again. I’m only 5’2” so if I can do it so can you. Do you need me to come show you how it’s done? 🤔