Although the "genuine leather handle" of this E16S hammer is more like a slick hard lacquered wood, its quality is unsurpassed. Oddly, this model is about 3/4 of an inch shorter than the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Estwing-E3-16S-16-Ounce-Rip-Hammer/dp/B0000224VG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Estwing E3-16S 16-Ounce Rip Hammer</a>&nbsp;which has a nylon handle. Between the two, I prefer the nylon handle, but having a steel tip on the handle's base is helpful for positioning and nudging pieces into place. As others have noted, this is a classic for good reason: time-tested design and simply a beautiful tool to own.