Let me start by saying that I am not a contractor and I don't use my tools for a living.  Having said that, I do all of my own home repair/renovation work and at one point or another I have built everything from furniture to room additions to a 24' by 40' pole barn.  I have owned this hammer for a long time - at least 6-8 years, and although the metal has tarnished to a dark grey it is still in as good of shape as the day I bought it.  The face has remained very flat and true and the handle grip is holding up just fine.  I love the balance of this hammer and the weight is just right for jobs like framing where power is more important than finesse.