Thank you all very much for your input and advice.
I am going to go ahead and get a couple of mauls to use, now to decide on which ones.
Leaning towards the standard hammer shape only because of familiarity.
Although, most every video you see, people are using the round mallets.
Everyone above seem to indicate they were their favorites as well.
Which brings me to my next question. Why the round maul ?
Is there some advantage to the rounded surface opposed to a flat one ?
Looking at them I can only guess that when leather was the only material used it was rolled and the side offered a better striking surface than the ends.
Yet even now with the polymer materials, youl see the round shape.
Is this due only to it being the traditional style or is there some functional benefit ?
Sorry for so many questions, but as a hobbyist I can not justify buying a bunch of hammers.
I do however prefer to spend more for a quality tool which will last many years opposed to buying cheapo's which will have to be replaced.
PS: Paul, if you haven't given away that maul but would like to, I could be coerced into accepting it
Thanks again,
Ed