Hicova

I have never tested the hammer/hammer no-no.... why tempt fate or one's health???? However, having heated with wood for over thirty years and splitting by hand for the first fifteen or so, I can attest to the frequency of metal chips suddenly launching from the surfaces of wedges, splitting mauls, and sledge hammers which by the way sound exactly like bullets whizzing by. I have only been the victim once with a piece of metal lodging in my leg. On another occasion while dressing rocks with a small sledge hammer and a metal chisel in the lower meadow that were causing problems with my mower while cutting hay, a fragment of the chisel lodged under the skin of my hand above the thumb. The cut through the glove was surgical as was the entry wound in my hand. No matter how careful you are... stuff happens so be aware of the possibilities and don't take unnecessary chances.