Noticed when I dropped a block of dense white oak on my desk that it made a dent.  Figured that density might make a good mallet head.

I've had a steel baby sledge hammer for several decade that I liked the look of, so I modeled the head after it. All details on the head were cut with my CNC. Curved sides and top, chamfers, and the hole for the handle tenon. Flared the hole using the fluting toolpath to make room for the split tenon to spread into with the wedge.

The handle was stick of red oak octagon profile that had been a sample to show my student that could make a good tool chest handle. Feel good in my hand. Tapered it using my band saw and considerable sanding.

It doesn't have the patina and aged grace that the steel mallet has, but that may come with use and time and handling.

4D 

Edited November 18, 2025Nov 18 by 4DThinker

Here it is with tung oil on the red oak handle and Danish oil on the white oak head.

4D

Getting caught up on my reading. Very nice 4D. Really clean lines and look. I imagine it feels well balanced in your hand.

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

I imagine it feels well balanced in your hand.

Yes it does.  Center of balance is when holding it on the handle just next  to the head. The baby sledge hammer center of balance is just a hair below the center of the metal head. 

4D