Chiselin' with shaky hands

Use as light a finger pressure as both tools will allow.

Thanks, I think I understand what you mean. BTW, I was eyeing one of those funny little Glen-Drake brass hammers for chiseling eventually – would they help?

-- Wood is not velveeta

The little mallets are awesome. I just made one myself. You also might think about getting some padding to wrap the handles (Like bicycle handlebar tape) Something that will both deaden shocks through your hands and give a more distributed grip.

-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/

The purpose of a large head on a mallet is so you can focus on the blade. The Glen-Drake has a small head and you would be paying more attention to the blow/strike than the blade. I would stay with a larger wooden head just for the forgiveness.