I bought this hammer to replace a 12oz Dewalt finish and a 21oz Hart waffle frame. I watched it for about 6 years, I just don't need it. My Hart's pen was finally wearing out, so I had a great excuse. Other head scratching reviews make no sense to me. I don't know what they hit with because I've put this hammer through hell and it's still 100% clean for a very fine finish. I went from using this hammer to knock out the intrusive concrete base to installing stair breaker bars which I then used with the same hammer to drive in the bolts. Stuffing the white PVC takes a perfect hammer head, most guys will put on blue tape, that evil Larry doesn't even need it. The PVC plugs are the main reason I bought this hammer. I got too strong for my 12oz Dewalt but had to find one for the plugs because my Hart had a waffle face. The vibration dampening is amazing and the grip is perfect for me. There are two reasons for 4 stars. Dewalt and Hart are the same weight as hammers should be, these Fiskars are a cheaper home brand with more weight that I'm not the biggest fan of. I accepted that quickly as those hammers are felt in every other way. Another reason is that I see that at the pen, where the tissue of your hand meets the pen, that becomes a problem area over time. The rubber is under the plastic where it almost creates an edge and it will definitely create an edge with more use and wear of the rubber. I have a medium sized carpenter's hands, so they're just under, but someone with slightly larger hands might not like this because you can get a blister in the eardrum area if you swing all day, but if you swing all day, you have They probably won You're out of blisters on your straps. I know this is a ridiculously long review, but I'm hoping that another tool lover like me, after sleeping with this hammer for 6 years, will see this and just buy it. I will not be disappointed. I also wholeheartedly recommend Dewalt 12 oz to younger beginners and hard to anyone and everyone. Absolutely love these hammers. I could break one of these hammers every 6 months and have no problem shelling out another $100 to replace all 3.