This is a great hatchet! The American-made "full shank" grip is perfect, and when I encountered an unfamiliar, hard, weathered wood, I felt neither tired nor unduly shocked. Fits in my light, small, almost empty backpack without being too bulky or unbalanced when walking. The photos in the listings of this product and the rigger's ax are mixed up, the carpenter's ax is solid steel with blue on the handle only and the rigger's ax has blue paint on the neck. The rigger's ax is longer and has a waffle hammer finish, while this carpenter's ax has a smooth finish. Overall a great product and holds its edge!