Leathercrafting Tips & Tricks: Mauls and Mallets

In this video, Daniel Reach from the Leatherverse answers one of the most popular questions that comes with tooling leather-which maul or mallet should you use? Well, the answer really comes down to personal preference and the specific project you're working on. You'll probably want a lighter maul or mallet for tooling, and a heavier tool for stamping. Plus, mauls and mallets have different ranges of motion, so it largely depends on what is most comfortable for you.
Barry King Maul: www.weaverleat...
Maul Master: www.weaverleat...
Barry King Mallet: www.weaverleat...
C.S. Osborne Hammer: www.weaverleat...

[@e.collins2768]

As someone who works with metal for a living i had a chuckle when you said metal on metal is bad. Its not bad at all and the hammer can certainly take it. The top part of your stamps will certainly wear out and mushroom though. The face of your hammer will also get burrs which will scar your leather if hammering down stitches

[@buddygoodlet1112]

I often hold my mallet the way you hold your fave maul for tooling. I have a maul but struggle to hit squarely, consistently with it while tooling. I haven't given up on tooling just yet, but I'm close.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Hate to hear that. What is it that seems to be giving you trouble? If you struggle with it, I guarantee that others do to. If its something I can help with, I'll get a video for it on the schedule.

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Even though I have only been a hobbyist leather craftsman for about a year, I totally agree with everything you shared. Purchased a 20oz maul and 32oz mallet, both Barry King at the Leather Craft show in Prescott this year. I smiled when you described the two ways to hold the mallets and mauls as I use both techniques. I'll choke up on the handle with the maul for tooling and grip the handle of the mallet for punching stitching holes or belts. Love them both. Thanks for sharing.

[@markedis5902]

Q. What’s the best maul for tooling? A. The one you’ve most comfortable with. I have 2 mauls for tooling a 16oz and a 10oz and I use a rawhide faced ‘Thor’ hammer for punches and stamps and a polished face jewelers hammer for flattening stitches.

[@kemitchell]

Those hammers are also widely used by shoemakers. The Osborne 66 you showed is readily available in the States. For the UK and Europe, George Barnsley and Sons in Sheffield make similar "Cordwainers", "London", and "Special London" pattern hammers that are very similar.

[@williammrdeza9445]

Helpful information Daniel. Thanks much!

[@Storyideas81]

Can you use a dead blow mallet for stamping? Those are often cheaper than something from Barry King or CS Osborne.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Yeah, I don't see why that would be a problem. The two main things are the weight, so you don't get tired, and not using metal on metal.

[@brianhudson3619]

I've used a dead blow hammer, mostly for punching holes or belt ends, personally. I don't think I'd want to use it for tooling or even really stamping. Personal preference, I s'pose. My question is more of, using rawhide mallet vs poly maul/mallet for tooling. I've used the rawhide for most things, but fairly recently picked up a lightweight poly maul to try and tool with. I'm seeing only slight variations, but could see how the maul could be more precise. Just asking our expert friends what they find the difference to be between the two tools.

[@DanielReachCreations]

@@brianhudson3619 Here's my thoughts on it, and I welcome others to chime in. First, let me say that I haven't used a rawhide mallet since I first started, so my experience with them is very limited. Raw hide mallets tend to have very little balance to them, which makes the more tiring to use. Even if they are the same weight, the raw hide will feel heavier. The ridges on a maul help ensure a square strike. Mauls don't have that. The poly maul/mallets tend to be more durable over time. I don't know that this is true, but my impression is that the poly material is easier on my stamps. When one stamp can easily be $100, I want to get as much life out of it as I can. Those are just the first things that come to mind. Curious to see what others have to say.

[@icycameron]

I use a tapered poly maul about 22oz for just about everything, stamping, punching, tooling etc, it works very well for me and the grip technique in the video gives me the control I need, only thing I would say is I noticed I don’t have the same control over a rawhide hammer so I tend to leave it alone and use the poly as it grips the metal better when I strike.

[@user-yz4qo3fp7s]

I have used a rawhide hammer exclusively for tooling since, well, it's been a long time. I'm going to buy a poly maul and hope it helps with arm fatigue, as you said. Might end up making a shrine with the rawhide...along with other old, no longer made tools. Thank you for all your videos.

[@paulregner5335]

When I need a striking tool for tooling, I tend to reach for my Garland #3 rawhide mallet (9oz.). It may seem a little lite, but I tend to be a little ham-fisted, so it all balances out for me. If I need to punch holes or oblongs, I use a 16oz. dead blow hammer made with a harder durometer rubber face (I think it might be Delrin or some other kind of hard yet un-marring plastic) I picked up from the McMaster Carr website.

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Thanks

[@denniscleveland669]

Why not make a maul with a faceted head, so if your strike is slightly off center, it won’t glance off?

[@MobyBrickFlicks]

How are the weights determined? The entire maul/mallet weighs 16oz or just the nylon head of it?

[@JnJShiffler]

What are your thoughts on the tattoo electric devices for tooling leather? As my left thumb joint is kind of destroyed from hockey long tooling sessions can be very painful and for days after.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

We will have more details on the tattoo gun for leather soon!

[@exowolf9569]

Where do you get leather from for belts how do I tell what leather to use for belts

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

English bridle leather is a great option for pre-dyed belts, you can also use double shoulders or our water buffalo single bends. If you're looking for natural leather, you can use double shoulders or sides. We will link some of the options below for you! We will also link our Belt blanks. Water Buffalo: www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/water-buffalo-single-bends Double Shoulders: www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/finished-double-shoulders Belt Blanks: www.weaverleathersupply.com/collections/belt-blanks-loops-and-kits

[@jakeyjakey4018]

halder simplex 40, use a hammer from this century😅

[@james2592OldLeatherSmith]

OLD Leather Smith here, Excellent Video Daniel, I personally like The 32oz Berry King mallet I use it 4 every thing. When I teach I have my students use a liter mallet so as not 2 wear them out. GOD'S BLESSINGS ✝️🥎🙃