I bought this hammer after a year of use after a couple of wooden handled hammers came loose. I had an old Estwing hammer that went through hell and back so thought I'd try a 16oz hammer. I wasn't sure if the quality would be the same but it was just as good if not better, this demolition hammer can create, cut, demonstrate whatever you need. Despite being strong steel, the shock absorbing handle really works. The balance is perfect, it rocks like a dream and it's an instrument I'll pass on to my grandkids one day, it's been built the way it should have been for ages.