Rawhide Mallet Making

[DaCodaBuchan]

Ok, so we discussed it briefly on my thread about making a mallet grip, but after not finding anythign I have decided to ask again.

How would I make a rawhide mallet? It looks like tightly coiled rawhide is nailed and coated with something. I still can't figure out what I would use to make the leather stiffen to the point that it works as a hammer. Now I assume you could wrap leather around a lead core and then tack the last piece tight. I am trying to figure out what I would need to coat the leather with, and what if any treatment would be needed. Should I wet the leather first? I think I would just to help make it more workable.

After I figure this out I will be making a handle from scratch and then making a nice leather grip for it.

[SooperJake]

Ok, so we discussed it briefly on my thread about making a mallet grip, but after not finding anythign I have decided to ask again.

How would I make a rawhide mallet? It looks like tightly coiled rawhide is nailed and coated with something. I still can't figure out what I would use to make the leather stiffen to the point that it works as a hammer. Now I assume you could wrap leather around a lead core and then tack the last piece tight. I am trying to figure out what I would need to coat the leather with, and what if any treatment would be needed. Should I wet the leather first? I think I would just to help make it more workable.

After I figure this out I will be making a handle from scratch and then making a nice leather grip for it.

Old post that never got answered, but I think I just figured out how they do it.

Caught a clip on youtube that said the rawhide is impregnated with shellac. That makes sense as the shellac should soften the hide just like water, and then dry to a very hard finish that would adhere the rolled up rawhide into a cylinder. It also explains why they look shiny.

I'm going to make one this week. I will post my results and pictures if I figure it out.

Jake

[dirtclod]

I think you will be money ahead just to buy one !

[shtoink]

I think you will be money ahead just to buy one !

Now where's the fun in that?

[Northmount]

1263162401[/url]' post='138296']

Ok, so we discussed it briefly on my thread about making a mallet grip, but after not finding anythign I have decided to ask again.

How would I make a rawhide mallet? It looks like tightly coiled rawhide is nailed and coated with something. I still can't figure out what I would use to make the leather stiffen to the point that it works as a hammer. Now I assume you could wrap leather around a lead core and then tack the last piece tight. I am trying to figure out what I would need to coat the leather with, and what if any treatment would be needed. Should I wet the leather first? I think I would just to help make it more workable.

After I figure this out I will be making a handle from scratch and then making a nice leather grip for it.

There is a post somewhere here with pictures and description building a rawhide mallet. Try searching for it. Even tells where to get rawhide ... Can use dog chews.

CTG

[Woodyrock]

My grandfather (Harness maker) had a wide range of sizes of rawhide wrapped square sticks with turned handles, the wood being Vignam Vitae (heavy) all beitn shop made. I think the rawhide was only on them to add a protective layer. They looked very much like strops, byt square sectioned.

Woody