One of the best purchases I have ever made! It arrives razor-sharp and is not difficult to keep it sharp using their ceramic sharpening puck. You will amaze your neighbors when you take two or three swings and cleanly cut locust,oak and even rhododendron branches! I had to buy another one for my son-in-law and one neighbor's wife is buying one for her husband. Yes it's pricey for a hatchet, but it's so efficient and such a joy to use, why settle for anything less?