Description
The Durston Rawhide Mallet is crafted from buffalo rawhide with a screwed and glued head mounted on a hickory handle. The head measures 48mm x 85mm, and the mallet weighs 8.5oz. This tool is essential in any jewelry workshop for shaping and forming metal without causing marks or damage. The head consists of tightly rolled leather (hide) soaked in resin or shellac for hardening, then fitted to the wooden handle.
Before use, the mallet should be conditioned for optimal performance: place it in a vice and rasp off the hardening compound (ends can be done with a coarse sander), then soak the head in water for an hour, dry off, and rasp again. After conditioning, the head’s surface will be soft and ideal for delicate forming work. Over time, the surface can be trimmed as needed. While this lighter mallet excels at gentle work, heavier metal-weighted versions are also available for higher-impact tasks. A properly conditioned rawhide mallet provides years of reliable service and is the preferred tool for jewelers who want to shape metal without leaving marks.