A mallet is one of those tools every woodworker reaches for constantly — but with wooden, rubber and deadblow options available, choosing the right one isn't always obvious. This guide breaks down the differences so you can buy with confidence.
What Is a Woodworking Mallet Used For?
Unlike a hammer, a mallet is designed to strike tools — chisels, gouges, and carving tools — without damaging their handles, and to assemble joints without bruising the wood. The right mallet depends on the work you're doing and the tools you're striking.
Types of Woodworking Mallet
Wooden Mallets
The traditional choice for joinery and furniture making. A wooden mallet delivers a firm, controlled strike that works perfectly with bench chisels and mortice chisels. The wooden head absorbs some of the shock, protecting both the chisel handle and the workpiece. Beech is the most common head material — dense, durable and well-balanced.
The Spear & Jackson 4" Beech Carpenter's Mallet and the Silverline 115mm Beech Mallet are both solid choices for general joinery work.
Best for: Chopping mortices, driving bench chisels, general joinery work.
Rubber Mallets
A rubber mallet is the go-to for assembly work — knocking joints together, fitting drawer boxes, and seating components without leaving marks. The soft head won't dent or bruise timber surfaces, making it ideal for finishing assembly on furniture and cabinetry.
Best for: Assembling joints, fitting components, working with softwoods where marking is a risk.
Deadblow Mallets
Deadblow mallets have a hollow head filled with shot or sand, which eliminates rebound on impact. This gives you maximum force transfer with minimal bounce — useful when you need a firm, controlled strike without the mallet bouncing back.
Best for: Situations where rebound is a problem, striking in confined spaces, heavy assembly work.
Carving Mallets
Round-headed and typically lighter than a carpenter's mallet, a carving mallet is designed for driving gouges and carving chisels. The round head means you don't need to rotate it as you work. The Faithfull 90mm Beech Wood Carver's Mallet is a well-balanced option for relief carving and gouge work.
Best for: Driving carving gouges and chisels, relief carving, detail work.
Which Mallet Should You Buy First?
If you're setting up a hand tool workshop for the first time, a wooden mallet is the most versatile starting point. It handles chisel work and light assembly, covers the majority of joinery tasks, and feels natural alongside traditional hand tools.
Add a rubber mallet once you're doing regular furniture assembly — it's inexpensive and protects finished surfaces in a way a wooden mallet can't. If you're into carving, the Faithfull Carver's Mallet is worth adding early on.
Mallet Weight: Does It Matter?
Yes. A heavier mallet drives chisels through dense hardwood with less effort, but can feel tiring over long sessions. A lighter mallet gives you more control for fine paring and carving work. Most woodworkers find a mallet in the 400–600g range covers general joinery well, with a lighter option for carving if needed.
Caring for Your Mallet
Wooden mallets can split if left in very dry conditions — store them away from direct heat sources. If the head becomes loose, soaking it briefly in linseed oil can help swell the wood and tighten the fit. Rubber mallets require little maintenance beyond keeping them clean.
Shop Mallets at Cherry Tree Tools
Browse our full range of Hammers, Mallets & Axes — including wooden mallets, rubber mallets and deadblow options from trusted brands.
For the tools your mallet will be driving, see our Chisels & Wood Carving Tools collection, and keep everything sharp with our Tool Sharpening and Honing range.