Making a mallet is a very simple and satisfying process and the result is an incredibly useful and long-lasting tool with many uses in the great outdoors. Whether driving pegs and pot hangers into the ground or striking the back of your axe, froe, billhook or knife to safely split wood, this tool will come in very handy out there.
1. Find (or cut) a length of hardwood of around 40cm (16in) in length and 10cm (4in) or more in diameter.
2. Around halfway along the length, use your saw to make a 2–3cm (¾–1¼in) incision in the wood. Turn the length and repeat on all sides. You could use a bow saw or a smaller pruning saw as shown in the illustration.
3. Use the knife and batoning technique or your billhook to split the wood 2–3cm (¾–1¼in) into each side to create your handle.
4. Use your axe or knife to smooth the handle thereby eliminating splinters and shape it to your liking. Finally, finish by smoothing the hard edges of the head and handle of your mallet with your axe or knife.
