I've worked on MANY DIY projects in my first house I just moved into, it's a top retainer and so far, since I used that hammer. been through a lot and it lasts. I've recently had to redo the entire barn floor and pry so many nails out of rotten/old wood that it's not even right, the hammer did the trick and I didn't break it which is always a plus for me. Now compared to my old hammer - my old hammer has a little more weight on top and when you hit it a little more weight really helps drive things in, this hammer now had a more even weight distribution. All in all a good hammer.