Premium HIC Meat Tenderizer & Ice Cracker - Dual-Sided 8.5-Inch Kitchen Tool for Steak, Chicken & Cocktails - Perfect for Grilling, Marinating & Bartending

I can already tell that the ergonomics are so much better than my old wooden meat hammer, which was a beotch to clean. The complaints about the spikes hitting your hand? I can see how that’s possible but it doesn’t seem like a real issue.Only two minor gripes:1) it should really ship with a couple extra plastic O-rings to isolate the handle and pounding surface. You can tell the one included will dry out and crack quickly. Or better yet, a silicone ring would last forever. I can see myself going to the hardware store down the line to try to fix this - and I wish I wouldn’t have to! The ring is pretty necessary to prevent nasty meat bacteria build up, as a spacer to keep the screw flush with the flat side, and it provides a wee bit of mechanical isolation to stave off carpal tunnel if you pound a lot of meat. Sorry for that last sentance but I’m standing by its accuracy.2) mine shipped IMPOSSIBLY TIGHT. I’m fairly strong and there’s no way I could separate the two pieces. My fix was first freezing it (metal contracts), which didn’t help at all, but when followed by running under hot water, it unscrewed with relative ease.I hope my ramblings can be helpful to others!Also v stoked to not pay Williams Sonoma prices for a top quality kitchen tool!I wanted a more compact meat pounder than the hammer style that is also commonly in use, and which I have used. I like this design better. Its easy to use, easy to clean, and the reversible surface is effective, with the flat side being best for simply pounding the meat until it is thinner, and the spiked side for making things like swiss steak using tough cuts of meat that need more aggressive tenderizing.Other reviewers have noted that the nylon ring that is part of the assembly may not be durable. I share that concern, but I tested the unit without the ring and it worked fine. That exercise was a simulation of what might happen if the ring were to break.I needed something to tenderize my meat faster than using the side of a plate, as I was taught to use when I was a kid. lol.This worked perfectly and my chicken breast for my Chicken Marsala melted in my mouth. Very easy to use. I would recommend this product.I use it to crack ice AND to tenderize meatPretty heavy, nice fit in the hand. Works well.Very well made and a great value.Reminds me of the one I used to use when my mother sold for The Pampered Chef. Great for meat tenderizing, and crushing cookies for pie crusts.Seen a video on YouTube of a man using this To make smash burgers. Searched Amazon and found it. The smooth side makes the best smash burger press on my Blackstone griddle. If you like authentic smash burgers it's a must have.love that it is all one metal piece - no handle to break off or wear out, it is one solid piece. Its smaller than you think however - but I have used it on chicken and it packs a punch. I hope I never have to buy another.finish is fine but this tenderizer should have been larger.Muy bueno!Its tiny... so kinda useless. unless you are pounding out a quail...Me gustó para romper el hielo.