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Switched to a rubber mallet for my chisels after 20 years and wish I did it sooner
Everyone told me a wooden mallet was the only proper tool for hand-cut joinery. I finally swapped to a 16 ounce rubber mallet two weeks ago and my chisel handles aren't mushrooming anymore. Has anyone else made this switch or am I missing something with the traditional approach?
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miller.eva5mo ago
I remember reading in a woodworking magazine that some old-timers actually used rubber mallets for things like dovetails because they felt it gave them more control. I thought they were crazy at the time but now I see the POINT. You're definitely not missing anything with the traditional approach if the handles are getting chewed up. A wooden mallet does have a certain feel to it but if your chisels are taking damage that's a real problem. Plus with a rubber mallet you can HIT harder without worrying about splitting the handle. I'd say stick with what works for YOUR hands and your tools.
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craig.nathan5mo ago
Wait, aren't wooden mallets supposed to be the whole point of hand tool work?
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