Yeah Chris, I use the same thing. You said exactly what my wife said.
I suppose it will happen, but then, when making a mallet that is what is gonna happen anyway.
Here is the carvers mallet.
It weighs 20.0 oz, the mini is 8.7 oz.
The mini is 8 1/2" long the head is 4", the handle is 4 1/2", the head is about 2 1/4" diameter at the big end.
The material is 3 pieces of 5/4 hard white maple laminated.