ESTWING Rubber Mallet - 12 oz Double-Face Hammer with Soft/Hard Tips & Hickory Wood Handle - DFH12

I recently purchased the Estwing DFH-12 Rubber Mallet - 12 oz Double-Face Hammer with Soft/Hard Tips & Hickory Wood Handle from Amazon, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best tools I’ve added to my collection. This American-made mallet, crafted with Estwing’s renowned quality since 1923, is a game-changer for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Its thoughtful design, durability, and versatility make it an absolute standout for a wide range of tasks.The first thing that struck me was the mallet’s impeccable balance and craftsmanship. Weighing 12 ounces, it feels substantial yet lightweight, allowing for precise control without causing fatigue during extended use. The genuine hickory handle, with its 10-1/2-inch curved design and triple-wedge construction, fits comfortably in hand, offering a natural grip that absorbs recoil beautifully. This makes it ideal for prolonged projects like furniture assembly or flooring installation, where comfort is key.The dual-face design is a brilliant feature, with one soft (40 Shore D, red) and one hard (60 Shore D, yellow) tip, both connected by forged steel for durability. This versatility allows seamless transitions between tasks requiring gentle, non-marring taps and those needing a firmer strike. I used it to install vinyl plank flooring, and paired with a tapping block, it effortlessly locked tongue-and-groove pieces into place without damaging the edges. The non-marring faces ensured my materials stayed pristine, which is critical for high-quality finishes.Beyond functionality, the mallet’s build quality is exceptional. The hickory handle feels premium and sturdy, showing no signs of wear even after hours of use. The forged steel core ensures the heads remain securely attached, a testament to Estwing’s reputation for crafting tools that last a lifetime. I also appreciate its aesthetic appeal— the blue , red, and yellow color scheme adds a professional flair to my toolkit.Whether you’re a carpenter, DIYer, or hobbyist, this mallet is a must-have. It excels in sheet metal forming, upholstery, tile setting, and even camping tasks. At its price point, the Estwing DFH-12 delivers unmatched value, blending durability, comfort, and versatility. I wholeheartedly recommend this mallet to anyone seeking a reliable, high-quality tool that performs as beautifully as it looks.

This gets used all the time around my shop. Having a no-marring hammer is a must when you work on easily damaged items are stubborn and needs a good whack. Estwing is a time honored traditional brand that has been proudly made in the USA and its quality shows. Functionality? It is a nylon or rubber faced hammer (HAMMER) it functions like it should. You take it and beat things into submission with it. Well worth the money, it will last for many decades to come. Good weight for most uses. Worth it, if anything happened to it, I would be quite put out, then I would buy another one.

I recently used the Estwing Rubber Mallet while installing a floating floor, and it was exactly what I needed to get the job done right. Paired with a hammering block, it helped me tap the planks into place without causing any damage to the flooring.The mallet has a solid, well-balanced feel that provides just the right amount of force without being too heavy. The rubber head is durable and non-marking, which was perfect for protecting the edges of the floorboards during installation. Even after hours of use, the mallet held up beautifully and showed no signs of wear.The handle offers a comfortable grip, making it easy to control, and the weight is ideal for giving enough impact without tiring out my arm. I'm happy I got the wood handle - it has a quality feel and works well to dampen any recoil from hammering. It made the flooring installation process smoother and more efficient.If you’re installing a floating floor or working on any project that requires gentle, controlled force, the Estwing Rubber Mallet is a fantastic tool to have on hand. I highly recommend it for its durability, comfort, and performance.

Great soft mallet for installing flooring. I am always impressed with Estwing products quality and functionality.

Non marring, comfortable grip. One side is more firm than the other. Works for many uses.

Seems solid. The varnish is a bit rough in some spots and doesn’t cover the bottom of it.

NIce quality, top tier brand. If you don't have one of these in your toolbox, you risk a ding on your man card (assuming you are a male). Very convenient for lots of jobs.

I learned about this from my favorite YouTube finish carpenter. It's very useful for tapping things into position without damaging the wood and any other application needing a firm smack with somethin softer than your steel or titanium hammer. I've had a young finish carpenter using my shop to build a full kitchen of cabinets, loaned this to him and he loves it too.I strongly recommend watching the Insider Carpentry YouTube channel. Spencer Lewis is a production finish carpenter who does high end trim work in large high quality homes in the Midwest. He is VERY good as his trade and THINKS through methods and shares them with the rest of us. I've been doing construction (most of the time) of many kinds since I was 15, in 1960, and when I bought a rental house and gutted it, replacing all of the interior trim, doors, etc., I benefited greatly from watching and emulating some of Spencer's techniques. Even if you're a hobbyist, watching him can tune you up to be better at what you do.