A mallet is described that has at least one cleft, in such a structure that the stress wave created during impact has longer travel way than the length of the mallet as measured along the impact line. This mallet induces longer-lasting and weaker stress wave(s) in the anvil as compared to a solid mallet having the same outer dimensions and more or less the same weight. The Cleft-Mallet increases the effectiveness of the strike, while decreasing the stresses in the anvil.

A method for producing impacts from rotary motion, the method including: inputting the rotary motion to an input shaft, converting the rotary motion to a linear motion; storing potential energy in one or more elastic elements resulting from the linear motion; and releasing the stored potential energy when the stored potential energy reaches a predetermined level to accelerate an impact mass to produce the impact.