Hammer, Maul, Rock? What do you use and how heavy?

[Killerwork]

So I have lived on this forum since I found it and discovered my love for leather products, especially what ever I happen to make....(DISCLAIMER: I am a no on and have not made to much besides a bunch of scrap I can't find beauty in. But it always is taken as an object to learn from, even if I take my diamond chisel and practice my hand sweing!)

So to my topic, I see a lot of discussion about stamps, surfaces, thread, machines, and so on. But I have not seen anything as far as what tool you prefer to use as a striker?

I happen to have access to a wood lathe and have become pretty decent at using it.

This is my maul. Roughly only a month old. It measures in at 9 inch long with 3 inch inch surface, 2 1/4 inch thick. Weighs 9 ounces with the help of lead shot core.

As you can tell it does dent easy, but so easy to fix and replace, it works.

[OLDNSLOW]

don't let no body fool ya ifen it works then it ain't broke, none of the fancy tools kin make ya a better tooler.  And unless ya gotts tons O cash ya want to start parten with then just work with what ya gots plain n simple.  but is iffen ya wont to part with some cash theres lots of posts bout wacker sticks n mauls, and lots of good vendors that advertise here that'll take yer money fer some real good tools.

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[Killerwork]

@OLDNSLOW so my question to you would be what is your preference. What is it that you use and since money has been brought up, did you pay for it?

[Brooks125]

For lighter tooling, pattern marking, snap/rivet setting and small punching, I use a 1# dead blow hammer from ... drum roll please ... Harbor Freight!  I use a 3# dead blow from the same reputable dealer for slot punching and maker's marks.  Cheap, fairly durable and easily replaced.   The faces do wear out, but it takes some time.  I make gun leather with minimal stamping so I stay more to the orthopedic end of the leather working spectrum.

[Killerwork]

@Brooks125 

My favorite store!

[OLDNSLOW]

I have 3 mauls I think it is with out running out there to count, and 1 very small mallet, 2 of them I think came from Barry's, 1 is a no name that was probably came from china. And I did pay for them all, but if I did have access to machines I probably would make a few to see how they would come out, but I don't so I buy. 

[Killerwork]

@OLDNSLOW

Barry's are worth the cost! All of his tools are well worth the money. Unfortunately this early in my journey I have yet to be able to justify the cost to my wife, she just responds can't you make that. It never comes out anywhere close!

[OLDNSLOW]

Barry makes some good stuff I have a few of his swivel knife blades, good stuff wish I could afford more being retired and trying to earn extra money with leather is money tight!

[bikermutt07]

5 hours ago, Killerwork said:

@OLDNSLOW

Barry's are worth the cost! All of his tools are well worth the money. Unfortunately this early in my journey I have yet to be able to justify the cost to my wife, she just responds can't you make that. It never comes out anywhere close!

Some people have been known to turn a roller skate or pallet jack wheel into a mallet head.

That, a bolt, a nut, a washer, and a few pieces of stacked could make a pretty nice mallet.

[JLSleather]

I tool with a rawhide mallet about 2" diameter head, 11 oz.  And the old one - same thing just more worn - drives small punches, slots.  Under $30 and will last YEARS of pounding ALL DAY.  You can get them "fancier", but I'm a leather worker, not a tool collector.