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Among the many tools of Christopher Schwarz’s that I covet is his vintage English brass mallet with wood inserts, a tool he calls “Mongo.” Now, I can cross one venial sin off my very long list of things for which I should atone; I have a Mongo (Mingo?) to call my own.
Glen D. Huey’s “Woodworker’s Edge” mallet with white oak inserts is one full pound of made-in-the-U.S.A. brass beauty, and it’s the perfect weight for adjusting the too-tight planing stop on my bench at home (I really need to knock that sucker all the way out and plane off a few thou).
Glen offers these mallets with a choice of handles – and if you ask nicely, he’ll make you a custom handle out of the wood of your choice (mine is walnut).
I got my hands on a prototype of his new tool a few months back, when Glen kindly let me use his shop to make my mom’s Christmas present (and spent a lot of time teaching me how to do string-and-berry inlay – thanks again, Glen!). At the time, he was trying to decide on the handle shape and length, and I’m pleased to report that he shaped the handles exactly as I suggested (though I seriously doubt mine was the deciding voice). The finished design is nicely balanced, and the chamfers along the length help locate it correctly in my grip.
If you want one though, best hurry on over to the Woodworker’s Edge store; he’s about sold through the first batch.
