I bought this hammer primarily for chopping wood and driving in ground rods. Due to surgery, I can no longer swing a sledgehammer without risking a hernia. My three-pound blacksmith's hammer doesn't have enough power to drive a wedge in. This works great and splits solid oak without having to guide it with a chainsaw. It's one piece so the head won't come off and if you miss what you hit you're unlikely to break the handle. It's a bit heavy for drilling, but you can choke the handle for more control. The extra weight makes splitting firewood much easier.