Wood for bossing mallets

[coshhassessor]

All,

I want some "bespoke" bossing mallets (non-stock head lengths / diameters etc), and I have a friendly wood turner who will turn blanks of wood into vaguely egg shaped objects that I can put handles on.

Other than plastic, concensus seems to be to use beech or lignum vitae for the heads. I have access to beech in sizes / quantities that would serve, but no lignum. Any possible substitutes or other timbers that might be worth a try?

Mitch

 

[ChrisR]

Keep a look out for old plumbing tools. They used to use a number of "beads" on a rope for pulling through large lead pipes. Typically 4" diameter, and often made of lignum v. I made a carving mallet from one.

 

[PTH]

If you go to car boot sales, look out for old skittles sets - I don't know what wood is used for these (possibly beech) but they can make really good mallet heads.

Bowling balls used to be made from lignum but I suspect most modern ones are resin.