Thanks for the advice all. guess I just need to practice more, and watch more videos. was initially using a plastic mallet, but it wasn't leaving much of an impression. I do work on a table top, but have a small metal block that I stamp on. I'll ditch the hammer. I'll buy a Tandy brand stamp, and see if it's more durable than the ebay stuff. don't know where Tandy gets it's stamps from.