mallet

A mallet is a type of hammer. Percussive tools, including mallets, deliver blows through rapid motion and significant short-term forces. The effectiveness of these tools depends on factors like the weight of the head, the distribution of weight between the head and handle, and the material properties of the head.123

Mallets are often used with chisels, particularly when working with stone. They typically have short handles and are swung with a small amplitude, allowing for quick, repeated blows without causing excessive fatigue. The heavy head of a mallet provides energy and momentum, and its wooden construction prevents rebound, ensuring the blow is effectively transferred to the chisel. This design conserves energy and is efficient for tasks like chipping stone. Wooden mallets can become worn from contact with metal chisels.3