Clouds Over Kipapa Mallet
he materials used to make this mallet have had lives prior to becoming a mallet. The HDPE mallet head is given a 2nd life after its previous life used to deliver detergents, milk or other products to consumers.
The first life of the handle was part of a Red Oak tree grown in North America before felling and being shipped at least 3500 miles to Hawaii. The wood handle is given a 2rd life after previously glued at the bottom of the wall to cover up gaps existing for years as a baseboard. It’s 3rd life is given after removing adhesive & nails, then glue together, and turned on a lathe to become a handle to provide a comfortable shape for the embrace of a hand.
What else can you add to the story of these materials?
The recycled plastics are from household detergent & shampoo containers: collected, cleaned, sorted and shredded into tiny pieces to be melted and carved into a mallet shape on a lathe. This mallet is durable and can absorb impact well. The HDPE surface is non-stick for easy removal of wood glue, oils, and epoxy resins.