The Flexcut carving set I bought can be used by hand or with a mallet. Thus, looking for recommendations on a mallet to purchase, or thoughts on what to consider if/when I make my own (wood type, design, size, features).
(Thought this might be a helpful resource thread for others getting started so separated the question from the carving forum post)
I agree with Corelz, make you own. There a plenty of idea here of one that have been made, Kenny made a really nice set. Some are made on a lathe, but you could make one without a lathe. You can round the corners on square stock, and laminate the mallet to fit the handle.
If you have a lathe, I say make your own. You can tune it to the weight and size you want and you can make the handle so it fits your hand comfortably. I don't carve with a mallet but I use my carver's mallet with bench chisels a lot. I prefer one with a heavy head but also with a head small enough that I can grip the head itself for fine work. So a small, heavy head requires a dense wood or metal. Corelz suggestion for Lignum Vitae is a good one. I like the dampening and feedback I get from a wood head so I prefer that to a brass or urethane head.
If I was buying one, these from Lee Valley look good. And though I don't think it would suit me well, I know the Wood is Good mallet Rich mentioned is well-liked by a lot of folks.
If you want to get rid of some pesky cash that's been bugging you, I really like the design and materials of the Blue Spruce Mallets. The head is resin-infused for durability and it has a steel shaft that joins the handle and head and also adds some weight which, IMO, is an advantage.
Why not make one? On the Instagram woodworkers about a year ago there was a Make a Mallet Challenge with a small prize from Scott of Kustom Creation of some of his products. I made a “toymakers mallet” roughly using a plumbers mallet as the inspiration. Here are photos of my mallet.
I’ll try to find the Instagram post if you’d like and send it to you, let me know. Cheers Peter
Peter - I'm not surprised your mallets are so nice (and Smurf approved!). I don't go on Instagram but can try to look that up.
With little knowledge, if making one, are there certain aspects that are "must have" (e.g., size, shape, weight)? I feel like I'm in that "I don't know what I don't know" stage.
If you have a lathe just turn something that seems right and try it for a while. If it’s too big/small/heavy/light, turn another one. IMO it’s a very personal thing when it comes yo a carving mallet.
Peter - I'm not surprised your mallets are so nice (and Smurf approved!). I don't go on Instagram but can try to look that up.
With little knowledge, if making one, are there certain aspects that are "must have" (e.g., size, shape, weight)? I feel like I'm in that "I don't know what I don't know" stage.
General question. I see many mallets that are wood only. Others have a "covering" (polyurethane on the stricking surface, or leather like Waho609 suggested). It seems like a covering would be easier on the tools than wood striking wood, but given most mallets are wood only, I'm guessing there is a reason I'm missing.
