Design your own mallet - part 2
Top Grip Width and Thickness
For a normal size hand 32 mm (1¼") by 27 mm (1 1/16") suits most people and 35 mm (1 7/16") width by 28 mm (11/16") thickness suits a large hand. I have made my handle 32 mm by 27mm for my own glove size (Euro 3, or size 7). If you intend to use the handle with the long axis going from front to rear then 32 mm by 27 mm is the right sort of ratio.
Top grip length
Unless you hold one or both hands down low and have a long handle, the standard 38cm (16") grip is OK. Hold your hands in your usual positions and see how low you need the top grip to come down. If you use the standard grip and your bottom hand is very low I suggest you don't have a longer grip, but bring your hands closer together - you will then swing much more accurately! If you want longer than standard it costs £7 more and has to have two Karakal grips joined with tape.
Binding tape colour
Karakal grips are all black. The binding tape can be black, white, blue, yellow or red.
Gap between top and bottom grip
I normally leave a gap of about 8cm (3") between top and bottom grips, (to put my signature in!) but you can have the bottom grip covering all the aluminium if you wish.
Type of Wood
The type of wood is mostly a cosmetic consideration. However, if you have a low density wood and a 12” head, it requires more lead to go behind the faces and that in turn helps reduce twisting. BUT, such woods are not so hard and it is doubly important not to use the side of the mallet to 'trundle' the ball across the lawn. Phone if you want an exotic wood. The woods I normally have are below. The actual colours are shown on the 'Pictures of mallets' and 'Some woods' pages. For extreme overseas climates I will not use some of the woods.
Mahogany (100 years old, from Jamaice) - light brown - medium density
Rosewood - dark brown - medium density
Imbuya - pale brown - light density
Goncalo Alves - beige with some brown pattern - dense
Padauk - a rich red that darkens with exposure - medium density
Purpleheart - purple colour when freshly cut, darkens later - dense and tough
Finish and Initials
I now offer an oiled finish as well as lacquer finish. With the oiled finish, if you want your intials on the mallet they have to go at the top of the handle as shown on the 'Recent Options' page. With the lacquer finish initials normally go on the side of the head. The oiled finish doesn't look as bright and it can pick up the white from boundary lines. But on the other hand you can top up the finish any time you like with teak oil.
