buying first maul - tapered head or round?

[wyldflower]

I'm ready to upgrade from my lil ol wood mallet to a nice maul (King or Bearman) - as I understand it, with a maul there is less wrist flex than with a mallet, which for me would be a very good thing.

Unfortunately, I've never actually used a maul, and am wondering what the difference would be round vs. a tapered head?

I'd also be interested in hearing about what weight folks use for various applications.

I was able to heft a few at the local Tandy store and the 16oz seemed like a good all around weight? Right now I'm doing a lot of border work on 7/8 up to 13 oz stuff, and a little actual carving (maybe I should say I'm "practicing" carving! lol)

Thanks much

Wyldflower

[bruce johnson]

It really all comes down to personal preference. I like the tapered mauls in the heavier sizes for larger baskets and geometrics. I don't have to lift my arm as high to hit the stamp square. I use a 12 oz and 16 oz for most other stamps, and they are straight mauls. I tend to hover over those stamps a little more and so the higher motion is not the factor with the lighter mauls. I use my 16 oz the most for general tooling.

[Luke Hatley]

AFTER GETTING THE MAUL AND GETTING ACCOUSTOM TO IT .... NO MORE MALLETTS FOR ME...

[TimKleffner]

Hi Wyldflower

I own both types of mauls, straight and tapered. After using the tapered maul, I like it better. If someone comes by and wants to start learning tooling, I start them on the straight and let them try the taper, they usually purchase the tapered maul.

I own Barry King mauls and am very satisfied with them. I have multiple weights. 16 oz for day to day tooling ... 14oz for lighter leathers 2-3 or 4-5 oz leathers and a 20 oz for heavy leathers / and basket /geometric tools.

Mauls are very much a personal thing. too light or too heavy ...NO GOOD!

Call Barry get him to send you a catalog, then call and talk with him and see what he would suggest for you.

Barry's phone 307.672.5657

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy tooling

Tim

[wyldflower]

Bruce, Luke, and Tim,

Thank you all so much for quick replies and the info - very helpful. Bruce - your comments on ergonomics and lifting height is giving me something to think about.

I think I need to give Barry a call and see what he recommends. Thanks for the advice Tim -and phone number.

I'm glad I at least got to do a little "pretend tooling" to get an idea of what felt right. (Bless the good natured folks at Tandy - never even batted an eye while I was standing in the aisleway, pounding away on my imaginary workbench with their mauls ... )

[Hilly]

AFTER GETTING THE MAUL AND GETTING ACCOUSTOM TO IT .... NO MORE MALLETTS FOR ME...

I hear you on that, Luke! Me too!