mauls or mallets?

[leathernut]

im posting questions every where on this site.what a great place lol..i noticed there was a similar post.i didnt wanna do any thread jackin.so i started another one...now i use a ploy head mallet for my tooling.seen a lot of people using mauls also.i know its diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.wanted to hear from diffrent people.is there certain advantages to using a maul for tooling purposes versues a rawhide or poly head mallet?if so why?i was just curious on what everybodys two cents were on this .. thanks very much

Dan

Edited June 17, 2007 by leathernut

[abn]

Dan,

As you mentioned, there's good information in this thread on the same topic. I personally prefer a heavier poly mallet, but I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who like rawhide ones, or even prefer mauls to mallets.

I guess my first question would be, are you dissatisfied in some way with your current mallet? There's no reason to change if you aren't. I started off with a lighter poly mallet and changed to a 14 oz. model when I needed more force to drive punches through heavy leather.

I don't know the answer to your question about why use a maul instead of a mallet. I like a mallet's flat face, and it seems to me that a maul would be hard to use. Maybe a maul user could add his or her two cents on the virtues of this tool????

-Alex

[ClayB]

im posting questions every where on this site.what a great place lol..i noticed there was a similar post.i didnt wanna do any thread jackin.so i started another one...now i use a ploy head mallet for my tooling.seen a lot of people using mauls also.i know its diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.wanted to hear from diffrent people.is there certain advantages to using a maul for tooling purposes versues a rawhide or poly head mallet?if so why?i was just curious on what everybodys two cents were on this .. thanks very much

Dan

I used to use a rawhide mallet for years. For some reason, it started leaving "dandruff" flakes all over the place. I decided to give a maul a try. Seemed like a lot of people were using them and liked them. Seemed like it would be hard to get used to hitting a stamping tool with a round surface, but it wasn't at all for me. I have a Barry King maul, and it has nice balance and from the first time I tried it, I liked it. A friend of mine brought over one of Barry's mallets and I tried that. I found it harder to hold straight and hit a tool with than the maul. Maybe just because I was used to the maul? I don't really know. I also have tried one of Bob Beard's mauls. You cant get these anymore so it probably doesn't matter, but lots of people that have them swear by them. I liked Barry's better. I guess it's like a lot of things, if you get a chance, try several and see what you like. My maul also started leaving small white flakes once in awhile too, so I guess that it's not just rawhide that does that. It's not a big problem if you blow the flakes off before you beat them into the leather. I still use a weighted rawhide mallet with strap end punches etc. I have a couple poly mallets too, but to me, they don't seem to have any balance, or weight for the size of them. Just my opinion.

Clay

[leathernut]

I used to use a rawhide mallet for years. For some reason, it started leaving "dandruff" flakes all over the place. I decided to give a maul a try. Seemed like a lot of people were using them and liked them. Seemed like it would be hard to get used to hitting a stamping tool with a round surface, but it wasn't at all for me. I have a Barry King maul, and it has nice balance and from the first time I tried it, I liked it. A friend of mine brought over one of Barry's mallets and I tried that. I found it harder to hold straight and hit a tool with than the maul. Maybe just because I was used to the maul? I don't really know. I also have tried one of Bob Beard's mauls. You cant get these anymore so it probably doesn't matter, but lots of people that have them swear by them. I liked Barry's better. I guess it's like a lot of things, if you get a chance, try several and see what you like. My maul also started leaving small white flakes once in awhile too, so I guess that it's not just rawhide that does that. It's not a big problem if you blow the flakes off before you beat them into the leather. I still use a weighted rawhide mallet with strap end punches etc. I have a couple poly mallets too, but to me, they don't seem to have any balance, or weight for the size of them. Just my opinion.

Clay

thanks for the quick replys ...i was just curious to see what people two cents were on the subject.saw a lot of people using mauls.thought i asked as far of getting some insight .thinkin about picking one up see how i like it.thanks

Dan

[Roger]

i use a 23oz poly head maul for everything. it was made by a member of another group. my next purchase will be a barry king maul

[M.J. Corlett]

Here is my 2 bits a month later

I use a light poly maul from Barry King for my tooling, a heavy rawhide maul for stamping. Here is the advice that the saddlemaker I studied under gave me:

Mauls are better to use because they are round . Where a mallet is flat, it can hit the top of your tool at an odd angle and make your tool "bounce" over or move and they do not disperse the impact evenly. The maul seems to hit and disperse the impact evenly. That said, he told me to never use poly when you are using forceful blows (e.g. for stamping or setting copper rivets etc.) as a poly will deflect. This is especially true when using the domer for your copper rivets. I use his advice.

Misty

[leathernut]

thanks mj thats seems like some good advice,makes sense.im gonna pick one up a maul onr of these days..