Mallets vs. Mauls

I recently acquired a Maul, which is like a mallet but has the head sideways. Instead of whacking it using elbow motion, with a maul you gently twist your wrist. I feel it is superior to a regular mallet. This is partially because while using a mallet you get a sort of kickback after you strike your tool. With the maul you get a slight kickback but it returns the force to the tool. A maul is much eacier to use and is used by many professional leather crafters. In the pictures the maul is the white one and the mallet is the yellow one. Both serve their purpose, but a maul is my preference. Later on I will post pictures of some of the other leather tools I have for those who are not familiar with leather work. For now I am gluing a journal cover together, and after that I will trim it and stitch it. Everyone have a great day.

An Accidental Discovery

Leather crafting has helped me though some hard times, giving me a creative outlet. However, it took a while for me to develop interest in it. I was in a hospital in San Antonio, Texas when I first discovered how cathartic it could be. During therapy I was given an opportunity to make a key chain out of leather. It was fun to do, and I had a key chain to show for it. After I left that hospital though, I did not think about it very much.

About 7 years later I found myself resettling in Missouri. One of my new found friends is Native American and has a business selling bead and leather items he makes. I was invited over and he showed me his shop and tools. I then went out and purchased items to do the bead weaving that he taught me.Later he taught me how to line my bead work with suede. That is what sparked my interest in leather crafting.

I bought a belt blank and a few stamps and made my first belt that Spring.I have tried my hand at many different projects since then. As they say though practice makes perfect. So now I am going to take a few classes along with the many tutorials available on you tube. I get so excited about the ideas for projects that I have, that I can't even go to sleep at night. The love for leather craft is contagious and I hope many more people will come to enjoy this fun hobby.