late April 2013

This was both fun to do and has been really fun to use.  OK, it should probably be called a mallet.  I had a piece of spalted maple – you know spalt is moldy rot, so for structural applications it is not often right, but decoratively in proper proportion it can add a great deal of character.  I picked mostly the solid maple for the hammer head, leaving a little spalt on top for decoration.  It’s light, maybe 11 ounces, but very springy and has served well in driving chisels and adjusting boards being joined.  Handle is white oak – that could be a little more ergonomic.  Main point is that it’s serviceable and sturdy.  The tapered mortise for the handle was a good learning experience.