A mallet is a tool that resembles a hammer but has a larger, softer head, often made of wood, rubber, or plastic. It is designed to strike objects without damaging them, making it ideal for tasks like driving chisels or assembling furniture. The gentle impact of a mallet helps to avoid marring surfaces, which is especially important in woodworking and crafting. Mallets come in various sizes and shapes, each suited for different purposes. For example, a carpenter's mallet is typically heavier and used for woodworking, while a rubber mallet is lighter and often used in activities like tapping tiles into place.