Your mallet preferences?

Hello All,

I am very new to this forum but need advice. I have looked through the tool forum looking for an answer but still didn't feel like I got the info I was looking for.

What mallet (style and/or manufacturer) is your favorite? I live in the intermountain west and don't have access to any native hardwoods otherwise I would look at making my own. I am considering the 30oz. urethane mallet from Klingspors but also like the idea of a flat-headed mallet.

Thoughts? Opinions? Recommendations?

Thanks for any help!

Nate D.

I use a Garland No.3 rawhide mallet. A No.2 would be good for people who are not a sasquatch like me. I would avoid the carvers mallets. They really are not well suited for timber framing.

Hi Nate, for many years I used a chunk on the end of a stick. The handle would be 16 to 18 inches long, harvested from broken sledge handles and the head would be in the neighborhood of 80 cubic inches of hardwood, an old pallet might be a source - 3 x 4 cross section. My current favorite is the 4 inch diameter x 18 inch stem from a dogwood, I carved the handle just so with a draw knife. That sucker packs a serious punch. Looks like Alley Oop's dating cudgel scaled down 50%.

I know is sounds like you don't have access to trees, but worth considering this type of mallet/commander. Here I use it to knock off some French Snaps. I cut about ten from the top of a spruce tree. Handle ready, just shaved the bark of and sawed a flat on the head so it would set nicely with the handle sticking up. These can be made smaller for joinery. They are about 5 years old now, dried out and cracked, we have busted most up my now with heavy use. The next batch will feature a metal band around both ends to keep them whole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDyLQuBgLRA

Intermountain West? Hardwoods? Mallet? One word, Aspen.

Hello Nate,

This really can be a "what is your shoe size," kind of question...

It will all depend on what works best for you...and fits you well for the work you do...

There are all manner of striking tools that can be effective from the flat side of an Axe...as is often employed by Chinese Timberwright and has been for millenia...To Carver's Mallets up to 4 pounds in weight made from Brass and Wood to Tempered Steel and Stone...all the way to very refined and tempered metal Chisel Hammers that the Japanese use in there assortative weight class.

I personally use a striking tool dependant on the work to be done. For most...day to day...timber framing, I use a 100 year old Trow & Holden 3 pound carvers Sledge or one of their Mallet...that is both effective in wood and stone work...

Good Luck...

The mallet that is my favorite is sold at japanwoodworker.com. It is called the Katate Kakeya. It comes in 90 mm (46 oz) or 75 mm (31 oz). I think mine is the 46 oz. I love it and do not baby it at all. I have one that lasted for over 6 years or so before it started to show some stress. I have another now and they are both very healthy. Japan Woodworker has some cool stuff that you won't see many other places.
I've never been a fan of the round lignin vitae (sp?) mallets. Just a personal preference. I feel like I can steer my chisel more accurately with the flat face that the Katate has. It also behaves more like a dead blow hammer upon striking, in my observation; less bouncy/lively and more concentrated force delivery. Like I said, just my preference.
Good luck!
Joe