I really like my lignum vitae mallets. They are just basic mallets turned from a single piece of wood. I bought them about 25 years ago. They are dirty, but still in excellent condition. I like them because they are very heavy for the size. Only problem is that I don't have any small ones. This discussion got me to thinking I need to get a few little ones. When I bought these, they were pretty much the only mallets out there. Last time I looked was about 5 years ago and they were tough to find. Tonight I cannot find a single one for sale anywhere on the internet. What happened? How can they just vanish like that. Seems like it is the best wood there is for mallets. Why would everyone stop making them?
There aren't that many Lignam Vitae trees left. I think that they are considered endangered and are no longer cut, and I know that the wood is very scarce. People are cutting up old pieces to make new stuff, reminiscent of ivory.
I've tried a rubber mallet, a clawhammer with a rag held on with a rubberband to pad the metal head, a homemade mallet made from a 3x3x6" red oak scrap on a piece of hickory for a handle, and a 22oz mallet turned from some very dense tropical hardwood (not lignam vitae). The latter is by far the best choice, and the one I use today.
