I started "tapping out" with japanese chisels, then started using the technique whenever I saw the back falling away just short of the edge, a common situation. Although the photo shows a big hammer, I don't swing it very hard.
I've probably tried the hammer on 20 or 30 different chisels and a couple of broadaxes, and only had a bad crack once, on an older laminated framing chisel... for me it's a fun technique, put on the ear protection and tap away for a bit. The real benefit for me is that it will produce a very flat back, which I like. It sounds as though there are not that many who like a flat back here, so the hammer is probably not going to apply.