I bought a set of checkering tools from Woodcraft so I quickly made a mallet. I thought the checkering patterns on the mallet handle would be functional and look nice but... I didn't do well so I ended up shaving off the checkering patterns at the end...
I know I definitely need more practice but there was one excuse. The cutter on one of the checkering tool was so wobbly and later, Woodcraft sent me a replacement tool(Even with the functional replacement, I don't think I can do it well anyways).
Anyways, it's sad but I like the new mallet.
I thought I was doing good...
I still thought it would be okay...
I knew I can't like the result but it always gives me better experience than giving up in the middle of the process so I managed to complete it all the way and put oil.
Please do not hit yourself with the new mallet for the checkering not being up to your expectations. I thought it looked pretty nice in the picture. Never tried it myself. The Mallets look great. Well done.
Ron, Thank you! I didn't expect the checkering to be perfect but the reason I removed it was, the mallet came out to be nicer than my average woodworking quality so I just wanted to keep it cool. Oh and haha, don't worry, I'm only good at cutting myself with my tools, not hitting:)
Don, Thank you! The checkering is very fun/cool technique. I want to be able to do it at least the very basic one!
Dave, Thank you! Yes, I'll keep practicing! Steve, thank you for the advice. I thought so, too especially the checkering will be anyway worn out. But this is my way to convince myself that I have to improve the skill before using it, haha!
Thank you Splinter. The leather is bull hide 8-9oz that was leftover from Moxon vise project. The same leather is on the previous mallet so I know this leather will be a paper thin a year after, haha. And yeah, thank you, I actually ordered cow hide 13oz(I don't remember) for this mallet but I totally forgot about it until now.
