Question about Striking / Tooling Sticks

[tmwp43]

I’m here to confess my curiosity about Stricking / Tooling Sticks, along with my lack of knowledge about them.

I am hoping this community can help me to understand the construction and use of these sticks so I can reproduce one or two for myself. I am very excited to try tooling with one.

I have some these sticks that similar to a maul.

Others I’ve seen are 18” to 20” long. Some with both ends square and a handle in between, others with square end and tapered to the opposite end.  I’m somewhat confused as to the use of the longer version.

Questions:

1). Is the extra length just there for counter balance? Also used like a maul?

2). Or is the extra length used of the lever point, using it and the elbow resting on the table as the pivot point?

I have purchase enough Katalox I believe to make a long and a short version, but need your help/input before I can make the first cut.

Thank you

Tane

[ChasCS]

Please post pics of these sticks.

So what you want for tapping the leather carving tools, are a nice maul or rawhide mallet.

 

 

Chas

Edited December 24, 2017 by ChasCS

[tmwp43]

Thanks for the input Chas. I will try to post some pictures. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

I have several mauls and rawhide mallets. I'm just interest in trying new ways of doing things. To make sure i'm not missing something I might like better or that could improve my product.

 

[ChasCS]

"Stick" with the maul and mallet and you will be much better off. ;-)

Those tools you shared, might be best for splitting fire wood. 

 

Chas

Edited December 24, 2017 by ChasCS

[tmwp43]

a couple more examples

[bruce johnson]

I have attached pictures of two of my favorites. The longer length is good for counterbalanced action. These came from a fairly historic local saddlemaker and one is seeing daily use in a friend's shop now. Until you have tried one, I'd say you've maybe missed out. These were very commonly used in the old "stamp all day" shops. By resting your elbow and holding it in the middle, the counterbalance effect requires very little effort. Just rock it back and forth and let the action and weight make it do the work. For small face stamps like bar grounders, small arc of rock. larger faces like wide bevelers - larger arc. Not more uumph behind it to swat it, just more range of motion. Once you get your muscle memory down for the effect of the stamp, you can literally fly with these. 

[tmwp43]

Thank you Bruce. You have made my day. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me.

I'm even more excited to get this project started now. Hopefully that can take place on Tuesday.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Tane

[bikermutt07]

There was a manager that used to work for Tandy that used the same rocking motion with a small round mallet.

He kind of held his hand in a "hang ten" fashion and just rocked the mallet back and forth.

For all the investigating I've done into this hobby, I have never seen these.

Thanks guys, learn something new everyday.

[plinkercases]

Bruce any way to post a shot video of you in action with one?

[ChasCS]

I prefer maul and mallet, but each to their own, devices... ;-)

 

 

Chas