When I opened up the box and saw the construction I was a little concerned, but I treated the wood, assembled the spearhead to the shaft (still a weak point to me)and took it for a "use" spin to see how it would function. I was thoroughly impressed. The durability of the shaft and spearhead is amazing and its penetration is admirable. If you are practicing against a solid wood target expect a little effort to remove this spear even with a "pool stick" grip. I carry this with me hiking (we have a lot of predators and dangerous wild life) and the spear head even holds up well to striking rocks. If you are looking for a simple, effective, and ancient weapon - Cold Steel has a great one here for a great price!