Humble beginnings:  The Maple on top is home milled from a tree that came down in one of my colleague's yard.  The other two pieces are off cuts of some really nice Walnut and Curly Maple.

Started getting the rough shape of the handle and the tenon.

Clamped up with a tapered mortise on the inside.

I wanted this handle to be simple and let the wood do most of the beautifying, since the Curly Maple is outstanding.

Added a little copper pipe to make a spot to hang it.

Basic shape is done.

First fit up is pretty good, I was actually shocked that it worked as well.  Usually at this point I'm saying my favorite 4 letter words and trying to fill in gaps.

The last time I made a mallet for myself, glue squeezed out on the handle and it was a nightmare to sand off.  Ain't going to happen this time :)

Starting to look like a mallet.

Top side of the tapered mortise and tenon.  It ain't going to budge.

That first shot of it with the finish on it.  I put poly on it, knowing that it wouldn't be durable, but that isn't the point.  It will at least repel a little bit of glue stains and smudges for a short bit of its life.  Mostly, I wanted it to pop and I didn't want to use oil because I was afraid it would yellow the handle.

First glamour shot.

The end.  I hope he makes some great memories with it.