My interest (my wife would say 'obsession') in billhooks began over 50 years ago when as a 12 year old my dad gave me one and a pile of firewood to chop up - once chopped I bundled it, and sold it - keeping the money I made in lieu if pocket-money... Never once cut a finger... It was the fastest tool ever... I did have a bundling machine, they also made kindling chopping machines....
Several hand operated splitters are available in Europe...