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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.
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I never thought I’d describe anything made by Veritas as “A poor man’s/woman’s…”.
Meet the poor man’s Mongo: http://tinyurl.com/7wwcb4o
An 18oz brass-headed, wood faced mallet.
I love mine.
16 oz = Mongo, where are the head shaking NO icons when you need one. 16 oz = tap tap tap
pounds chest and chants Mongo, Mongo
http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Bull-2-1-Brass-Hammer/dp/B002JQDX0C/ref=sr_1_31?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1334942057&sr=1-31
This is the Ladies Mongo at 2 1/2 pounds, perfect for light taps when a sledge is just a tad too heavy. They don`t have mine anymore, but it`s 3 pounds, and I sawed off a lot of the handle so it taps just like my 14 oz tite hammer it just has a little more authority. I keep telling Kevin make it bigger……….
http://glen-drake.com/v-web/ecommerce/os/catalog/index.php?cPath=21
You sure Chris` is heavier, he of Ladylike hands and wrists.
Glen made one for me with an African Blackwood handle and it is not just stunning but is also now my go to mallet. Well worth every penny. Fred
I looked long and hard at one of these when I visited you in Cincinatti. I thought the idea was great, the price was equally great. Maybe they could sell a rough casting of the brass as a reasonably priced “kit”. I would love one, and would love to make one.
$200 for a Mallet?
Isn’t Chris’ “Mongo” a 2 pounder? That always seemed a tad on the heavy side but good for knocking together the joints on his massive workbenches. I can’t say from experience, but it seems a 1 pounder would be more applicable for the typical persuasive duties. But, I could be wrong.