Mallet Removing Paraffin Wax Coating?

[GAIA]

I received my 3.5 inch 20 oz Lignum Vitae Carvers Mallet this morning. In how to carve wood by Richard Butz, ( I wasn't able to locate to locate a mallet turned from a single solid piece of lignum vitae.) Mine has a 3 1/2 inch lignum vitae head and ash handle.
See Hammers, Mallets : Lignum Vitae Carvers Mallet - 3 1-2 inch

In Mr Butzes book he talks about a new mallet being covered in thick paraffin wax, to protect it during shipping.Mine does not seem to have any wax covering. He goes on to say, scrape it off and rub it down with fine 000 steel wool. He says the wood still has to be sealed to keep its moisture in, if lignum vitae dries out to quickly, it may crack and check He suggests applying a liberal amount of boiled linseed oil letting it soak in overnight, then wipe it dry with a clean rag.

The mallet will then be ready to use, although it is a good idea to oil it once a week for the first month or so..He says if notice any cracks appearing in the end grain , try storing the mallet in a plastic bag with a few drops of water when not in use. It may take several months for the lignum vitae to stabilize to ones particular climate.

I was wondering what other peoples views were?
Cheers.

[brent]

Before I became learned in carving, I tried scrapping the wax off of one of my mallets!!! (Shock and horror).
The handle bent over and it is now somewhat ergonomically angled right for use......luck!
I later was told to just use the mallet without rmoving the wax. Wax would go away with use over time.
???????????????
You tell me....right or wrong??

[mobjack68]

I have turned several lignum mallets. I turn the heads from lignum, drill hole and add a hardwood handle with a tenon half as long as the head. My brother in law supplied me with cast off lignum pieces and I turned mallets as big as the piece, some small some large. I have NEVER had one crack....no oil/water treatment, no wax...the folks that rec'd mallets never mentioned any kind of problem.
The last one was turned in 1986 (senior year of college...) still used a lot...and mistreated.

[GAIA]

Cheers for the input.

[Steve Reed]

GAIA, I had a lignum mallet for many years, and due to our dry climate in the flatlands it cracked. I have since heard all of the above advice about using them, but switched to a synthetic one. Much easier on the arms!

[GAIA]

OK thanks for that.