This might be a DUH moment, but...
I've never seen this covered in a book or video or anything. I just discovered that I can get a good sound and better accuracy with a light touch with the right hand. I don't know, maybe coming from decades of playing rythm guitar and slamming the guitar with a flat pick, I just automatically hit the right hand hard with clawhammer, but the last few days it occurred to me to lighten up, and -- clouds parting moment, rays of sun beaming down -- better sound, easier all around. And I'm guessing this will not put as much wear on my nails. Also I don't need to stuff the banjo with so much dampening material to keep from driving my wife out of her mind.
Is this just an individual kind of deal with me, or is this one of those Secrets of Clawhammer long known to the initiates? Or maybe it's so obvious only I missed it?
Or perhaps it's just a new way for me to screw up...?