This is a very heavy-duty axe with 4 strips of metal to reinforce the haft, a metal pommel, and plenty of tension at the head to keep everything together after every single strike. I love the craftsmanship of this axe, and it didn't even dent after I used it in an intense duel with a guy at least twice my size, in buhurt. This axe will age quite well in the next few years, and would probably last longer than me.