I bought this hammer after having multiple wood handled hammers become loose after a year of work, I had an old Estwing framing hammer, that had been through hell and back, so I thought I'd give it a try for the 16oz hammer, Wasn't sure that the quality would still be the same, but it was just as good if not better, this hammer with the rip claw can frame, trim, demo, whatever you need it to. Although It is solid steel, the shock reducing handle really does work. The balance is flawless, it swings like a dream, and is a tool I will pass down to my grandchildren one day, it's made like a tool should be, to last.