Newbie Mallet Question

[penciledinsoul]

I am looking to start purchasing some tools and was wondering what the pros and cons of a wooden head mallet vs. a nylon head mallet or should I go with a different material all together? Thanks!

[penciledinsoul]

Sorry about the multiple posts, my mobile version was being hinky.

[jfdavis58]

I started with a wooden 'hammer'; noisy. VERY NOISY.

Moved to poly-it was part fad and part practical back then. It was much quieter. Bought two sizes. While tooling there is(was) a noticeable rebound/bounce with early poly heads vs wood.

Moved to rawhide, again part fad, part practical. No rebound/bounce. Head degrades over time. Got four or five that form a sequence of sizes and weights. The smaller/ligher ones are particularly good for figure carving and very thin leather tooling.

Moved back to modern poly with a weighted maul for setting snaps, etc--then bought a press. Still use for large oblong holes and strap end punches. Returned to weighted rawhide hammer for makers mark and other larger stamps/medium punches.

Played with a couple different poly-head mallets/wackers. Nice but...

Now, given some thought to the matter, I've pretty much decided that until I hit the lottery, find myself back-ordered for 6 months or more or just lose my mind there will be no new tools for a while. Well until something pretty comes along. Or there is a sale. Or I win one.

I suspect YMMV like mine did. Good luck.

[penciledinsoul]

Thank you so much for the insight! Very helpful.

[Northmount]

Wooden mallet also sheds fibres that drop onto your work and may get stamped into the leather if you don't notice in time. So I stay away from wood.

You can cut a thin layer off the face of wood or rawhide to square up the face after it has become all beat up.

Tom

[cradom]

I use a very old rawhide mallet. I cleaned up the faces with a belt sander with 60 grit belt on it.