On Mon, 16 May 2005 20:13:18 GMT, "Bubba"
wrote:

Over the past ten or so years, my 40-year old lignum vitae mallet

That's not lignum vitae.

It's a drum mallet. They're a consumable item - just turn yourself a new
one. If you want a mallet to last, put the head on at right angles, so
that you're hammering on the end grain.