Recommended Items
Best Mallets for Leather Crafting
Experienced insights, guidance, and recommendations on what can help best in your leather crafting.
Recommended Items
Experienced insights, guidance, and recommendations on what can help best in your leather crafting.
When it comes to striking tools, leather mallets are a fantastic option. They offer concentrated force with comfortable handles and a long-lasting striking face. As someone who has worked with a variety of striking tools, I highly recommend investing in a quality leather mallet.
One option that stands out is the Garland 11004 Rawhide Mallet in Size-4 (click here to find it on Amazon). This mallet is made in the USA and weighs about 1.5 pounds, making it a reliable and durable choice. Garland also offers other sizes, ensuring that you can find the perfect mallet for your needs. In this article, I’ll be exploring some other helpful options and discussing which might be the best fit for your working style and personal preferences.
Rawhide leather mallets are made by tightly-winding and sometimes treating rawhide to form a dense head when attached to a mallet handle. These mallets provide sufficient striking force while also being gentle on the tools that they strike. As the rawhide wears over time, the head can be replaced while the handle can still be used, making these mallets a long-lasting investment for leatherworkers.
Plastic mallets are a soft and affordable option. The head is typically made from nylon, which can begin to wear over time. While the entire mallet may eventually need to be replaced, a plastic mallet can work well for a good period of time. These mallets are gentle on tools and are a great option for beginners or those on a budget.
Mallet hammers combine the shape and balance of a hammer with replaceable striking tips. These mallets are a great option for crafters who prefer the feel of a hammer while also protecting the punches and stamps they use during crafting. The tips are typically made from soft or plastic materials, allowing for easy striking while also protecting the tools. As the tips wear, they can be easily replaced, making these mallets a practical and versatile option for leatherworkers.
When it comes to leatherworking, having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. While a hammer can work for many common striking needs, some types of work benefit from having a mallet. Here are my top recommendations for the best leather mallets.
If you’re looking for a high-quality and reliable rawhide mallet, the Garland Size-4 Rawhide Mallet is an excellent option. Made in the USA, this mallet weighs about 1.5 pounds and is available in other sizes as well (click here to view it on Amazon).
For a plastic leather mallet, I recommend the Evwoge Nylon Mallet. With a weight of about 12.25 ounces (350 grams), this mallet has a nice heft and a 7.5″ overall length (click here to find it on Amazon). The striking surface is about 2″ and the handle is made of wood with metal hardware.
If you’re looking for a versatile tool that can be used as both a mallet and a hammer, the Vergez Blanchard Mallet/Hammer with Soft Tips is an excellent choice. This hammer has replaceable urethane tips and weighs 12oz. It is about 11″ long with a 4″ wide head (click here to see it on Rocky Mountain Leather Supply).
Investing in a quality mallet can make hitting tools during leather crafting effortless and enjoyable. With the right mallet, punches, stamps, and hardware setting can be done with ease, making it a valuable tool to have in the shop. Don’t hesitate to add one to your leather crafting toolk
Get detailed leather GUIDES and our NEWSLETTER packed with helpful info.