Rawhide Mallet Construction

[landm42006]

Folks,

What goes into makeing a rawhide mallet (resin and technique)? I was thinking about trying to make one, (cuz I am too cheap to buy one from Tandy), or is it cheaper and less hassle to just buy one.

Or, is there a wooden equivalent to the rawhide?

Thanks and S/F Marty

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

As I understand it the rawhide is just wrapped wet, and allowed to dry. As it dries it shrinks, and tightens up. Drill for the handle, and run a screw through the whole mess sideways. Some mallets use water buffalo rawhide, I suspect because it is so thick, and probably less expensive for them to purchase overseas.