round vs tapered mauls vs mallet

I find im always reaching for my smaller mallet. I have the Barry King tiny one. It's got these little ridges on it to stop the tool slipping off when you strike it. This was my first 'upgrade'.

I like 12-14oz nylon/acetate faced mallets. The one I use is by Thor hammer.

To fit into a small tool box, you can always chose a heavier mallet and cut some length off the handle. However, personally, I would never compromise on my tools in order to save some space in a tool box.

Unless you have a sentimental connection to your toolbox, it's time to upgrade your toolbox, not downgrade your tools.

Hello,

If you want to use it for irons pricking, then get a hammer (Neither a maul nor a mallet). A mallet is too heavy and bulky and mauls are just pure evil, they are trying to control the world, but that is another discussion.

In a more serious tone, mallets are usually for tooling when you need lots of weight and to do minimal hand movements to get that weight. Mauls are an evil mutation of that mallet.

A hammer is way more precise and more controllable in power delivery. I started leathercrafting like most "new crafters" by buying what everyone else on IG or youtube was buying, and one of them was the famous Palosanto Mallet. And allthough it is a nice piece of work, it is bulky, and my arm tires after making a few prick lines. This does not happen with a hammer.

I am currently using this one (and have been for the past 4 years approx): https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/vergez-blanchard-leather-working-mallet-hammer-12oz-soft-tip