i was out splitting the small load of maple i gathered last week and, being new to this game, smacked the handle of the Fiskars square on the tops of several pieces of wood. my left hand (the one at the base of the handle) was fine, but heck if my right hand didn't take a beating. those handles are strong, but man they transmit the shock pretty well. i have a wooden-handled 8lbs maul that felt much better on the misses. the soft part of my hand swelled up nice so i've been holding an ice pack for a while. that Fiskars sure does slice through the wood nice, though, if you find a seam. i'm thinking of sliding a piece of bike innertube up under the head to maybe deaden the misses a little. maybe a piece on the handle too. or some hockey tape.