I am a big fan of making my own tools. I made this carvers mallet from african sycamore and walnut.
Here you can see it in action. It is used to strike the end of a chisel or other carving tool. The round shape is traditional.
I started with a log of african sumac that I found along the side of the road.
After roughing it on the lathe, I cored a 3/4 inch hole for the handle, then set it aside to dry for a few weeks.
The handle is walnut left over from a table spindle.
I shaped it to fit my own hand exactly.
I sawed the shaft right down the middle,
Put the mallet head on the handle,
Then drove a long wedge, cut from cherry, down the gap to hold it in place.
Sawed the stub flush.
Finally, some more beauty shots.