I've noticed lignum vitae mallets being sold, both new and vintage, and I'm curious about their specific uses. I've heard that ultra hardwood mallets can damage wood-handled tools and that using wood mallets on metal tools can harm the mallet. So, what are the best applications for lignum vitae mallets? Any insights would be appreciated!
3 Answers
These mallets are great because of their density; they have a good weight to them. Wooden chisel handles can handle some beating, plus they’re easy to replace if needed. So they’re quite practical for woodworking.
I haven't personally used one, but I can see how a heavy mallet can come in handy, especially when you want something hard without the risk of a metal hammer damaging your tools.
A classic application is in boatbuilding, particularly for caulking. Lignum vitae is a traditional choice for these mallets, and you can strike cast iron caulking irons with them without worry. They're built for that kind of work!