I almost gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the cost could come down a little, but taking into consideration this is a tool that will likely last for most if not all of the rest of my life and possibly beyond, the extra cost spread out over the time that the hammer will last is negligible. Additionally, the time it saves me from regularly replacing broken handles that couldn't withstand the force I exert is priceless. The main reason I bought this was because I got tired of replacing handles all the time.

I opted for the 14lb head instead of the 10lb that I had originally planned to get, and I have no regrets. I've been using it regularly for the past few weeks to pound a diamond-shaped wood-splitting wedge into large tree rounds. After a couple medium hits to secure the wedge in the wood, one good hit is all it takes. The rubber handle absorbs/distributes the strike very well; my hands don't feel as much of it as they did with a wooden handled sledge.

I did have one miss when I was delivering a series of hits to separate a branch from the trunk of the tree round, which caused the round to bounce off of the chopping block a little and become unbalanced while I was bringing the hammer down. The result was a very small blemish on the handle near the head, but nothing likely to affect the structural integrity of the tool. I am curious to see how the rubber handle holds up over a long time.

I will report here if I experience any issues with this sledgehammer, especially within the 12 month warranty period. So far, so good!

Big hammer

Just what I needed. I like the head better than Wilton's.

Great item.

What? You all don't have a 500 dollar sledge hammer? Pfffft...you ain't nobody.

You expect me to go around crushing, smashing and destroying things with a commoner's sledge hammer?
Far be it from me to go around slinging steel, how droll. Not I, not when I can have a copperhead...this thing rocks.

I was searching for a platinum sledge hammer but alas...none to be found. One day they will realize the depth of their folly and make a 14lb. platinum head sledge hammer with a solid, gold handle and when they see how many people buy it, they will know they should of made it a lot sooner. Until that day...