Splitting assembly

In an axe having a head portion mounted on a handle forming a manually operated device, the combination comprising:

• a. a cutting edge defined along one side of and located substantially on the centerline of said head portion,
• b. movable means including lever means mounted directly on said head portion,
• c. said lever means being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to swing the outer end thereof about a pivot point from a resting position outwardly with respect to a first side of the head portion when the cutting edge is thrust against an object to be split, and
• d. said movable means including biasing means for holding said outer end in said resting position while the cutting edge is being thrust toward an object to be split,
• e. said pivot point being laterally displaced with respect to said centerline and on a side of the head portion opposite said first side,
• f. said head portion including an opening for receiving the outer end portion of the lever means,
• g. said outer end portion being disposed at a location with respect to the cutting edge to be effective to enter into a cut made by the cutting edge when thrust against the object.