pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 4, 2018 18:59:17 GMT
I’ll say up front that I am not familiar with maces but regarding the hollow Windlass hafts; If they were solid that would change the handling characteristics, for good or worse would probably depend on the user. I would say for those that are concerned about the strength, or rather the lack of, inserting a wooden dowel, might need to be trimmed to size, and securing it with epoxy should eliminate any bending issues without adding undue weight or changing the handling characteristics. Here is Part II of a three part video demonstrating two Windlass maces and a A*A mace. They put the maces through their paces. There was no haft bending. One Windlass mace was damaged but continued to be serviceable. This video starts with a Windlass mace and picks up again at mark 10:39 and continues into Part III. At mark 8:58 Part III the damage occurs. Maces appear in Part I also at 6:17. My recommendation is to watch all three videos in their entirety.
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Post by howler on Apr 4, 2018 20:20:36 GMT
I’ll say up front that I am not familiar with maces but regarding the hollow Windlass hafts; If they were solid that would change the handling characteristics, for good or worse would probably depend on the user. I would say for those that are concerned about the strength, or rather the lack of, inserting a wooden dowel, might need to be trimmed to size, and securing it with epoxy should eliminate any bending issues without adding undue weight or changing the handling characteristics. Here is Part II of a three part video demonstrating two Windlass maces and a A*A mace. They put the maces through their paces. There was no haft bending. One Windlass mace was damaged but continued to be serviceable. This video starts with a Windlass macc and picks up again at mark 10:39 and continues into Part III. At mark 8:58 Part III the damage occurs. Maces appear in Part I also at 6:17. My recommendation is to watch all three videos in their entirety. "Put the maces through their paces"...don't that sound nice. I think the CS Chinese Sword Breaker would make a devastating bar mace. Unfortunately they gave it the name "Sword Breaker" instead of "Bar Mace" so everyone flipped out because it wasn't literally BREAKING swords, when historically they were used to break the arc of strike from an opposing blade (almost like a shield in one hand from horseback).
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Post by tancred on Apr 9, 2018 3:16:18 GMT
I have the Windlass River Thames Mace. Haven't really hit anything with it, so can't say if its weak in any department. For me, it does seem too heavy to use effectively with one hand. Two hands is better, but it also seems somewhat "wrong" to do it that way. Before I bought that River Thames Mace, I was also considering Windlass' Polish Mace. I went with the former, but it always makes me wonder about the Polish one, because it was really tempting. In any case, neither are available now, I don't think. I have Windlass' German Mace on the way now. Its one with a metal shaft. I'm looking forward to it, but don't foresee putting it to any great use. I also have a discontinued Hanwei Spiked Mace. That one's pretty cool. Definitely lighter than the River Thames, but I also bought it used, and the haft already had a small ding in it. On the Atlanta Cutlery site, Windlass has a new mace up for sale, the WWI Trench Mace. Just saw it the other day. You can find it here: www.atlantacutlery.com/wwi-trench-maceI think it looks really interesting. 2 lbs, 4 oz, and under $50. No reviews yet, but that seems like a pretty nice deal.
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Post by howler on Apr 9, 2018 3:51:43 GMT
I have the Windlass River Thames Mace. Haven't really hit anything with it, so can't say if its weak in any department. For me, it does seem too heavy to use effectively with one hand. Two hands is better, but it also seems somewhat "wrong" to do it that way. Before I bought that River Thames Mace, I was also considering Windlass' Polish Mace. I went with the former, but it always makes me wonder about the Polish one, because it was really tempting. In any case, neither are available now, I don't think. I have Windlass' German Mace on the way now. Its one with a metal shaft. I'm looking forward to it, but don't foresee putting it to any great use. I also have a discontinued Hanwei Spiked Mace. That one's pretty cool. Definitely lighter than the River Thames, but I also bought it used, and the haft already had a small ding in it. On the Atlanta Cutlery site, Windlass has a new mace up for sale, the WWI Trench Mace. Just saw it the other day. You can find it here: www.atlantacutlery.com/wwi-trench-maceI think it looks really interesting. 2 lbs, 4 oz, and under $50. No reviews yet, but that seems like a pretty nice deal. And if the handle breaks you can always fashion another. Sort of the tomahawk concept.
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christain
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Post by christain on Apr 9, 2018 4:17:03 GMT
That just goes to show my (modern) military knowledge. I had NO FREAKING IDEA that maces were used as recently as WW1. I'm still shocked at the reported use of a 2-handed Claymore at the '45 Rebellion.
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Post by MOK on Apr 9, 2018 6:14:06 GMT
Pfft! Maces were used as recently as YESTERDAY anywhere resources are low and people have sticks and heavy things to strap to them. No, I can't cite a specific example, but if we look back at today's military reports some years from now, I'm dead sure we'll find a couple of instances.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 9, 2018 7:14:27 GMT
Well, I was more talking about military usage and mass-manufacture during the war-era. Yeah, I could go out in my yard and find a stick, a rock, and some twine. If I wanted to 'go cave-man' on someone's a**.
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Post by tancred on Apr 9, 2018 7:36:30 GMT
Well, I was more talking about military usage and mass-manufacture during the war-era. Yeah, I could go out in my yard and find a stick, a rock, and some twine. If I wanted to 'go cave-man' on someone's a**. Is it ok if we call you "Captain Cave-Man," Christain? Not sure if anyone remembers that cartoon or not. When I first saw that WWI Trench Mace, I almost thought Windlass had revived their River Thames Mace. They look really similar, although the head on the latter was more solid, and covered the top of the wooden haft. To the OP, I think there are plenty of sub-$300 options for maces. Just have to find the one you like the look of, and one that seems solid. That last part might be a bit of a gamble, but hopefully you could return it if it doesn't meet your standards.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 9, 2018 13:04:56 GMT
Ya, Captain Cave-Man and Teen Angles. I envy you having the German Mace on order. I'd like one but fear problems with customs.
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Post by MOK on Apr 9, 2018 14:34:33 GMT
There were plenty of maces used in WWII, also, some armory produced and lots and lots handmade in the field. They're great for sneaky raids into small spaces like trenches, bunkers and outposts, and they're really easy to make. The US military probably has too few actual logistics challenges these days to have much use for them, but I'll bet real money that practically every force on the other side of the asymmetrical warfare they're necessarily engaged in makes at least some use of something hard and weighty affixed to the end of a stick for the express purpose of hitting people with.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Apr 9, 2018 17:09:14 GMT
Maces will be the next weapon of choice in the UK.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Apr 9, 2018 17:10:14 GMT
Guess if you want a good one I could make one. I've made them before not easy to make.
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Post by zabazagobo on Apr 9, 2018 21:50:04 GMT
That just goes to show my (modern) military knowledge. I had NO FREAKING IDEA that maces were used as recently as WW1. I'm still shocked at the reported use of a 2-handed Claymore at the '45 Rebellion. My favorite bit of 'retro' warfare in the modern period has to be "Mad Jack" Churchill. Using a bow and a broadword while playing the bagpipes during ww2 is all sorts of awesome. His exploits are amazing to read about, he'd be a great subject for a movie. Didn't know about the claymore, do you have a link I could check out on that one?
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Ifrit
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More edgy than a double edge sword
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 13, 2018 7:46:09 GMT
Guess if you want a good one I could make one. I've made them before not easy to make. What woukd you charge? Even if you modify one
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Post by rjodorizzi on Apr 20, 2018 22:24:15 GMT
I just did a short review (put incorrectly in the swords section, sorry!) of the Windlass German Mace. Runs around $80 at KOA and is definitely durable. The flanges are welded but it’s held up to some moderate abuse against ply wood.
I like it and can recommend it!
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Post by g2knee on Apr 21, 2018 3:22:55 GMT
Just saw this thread. Look up Boris Bedrosov on Facebook. He used to have a presence on Myarmory.com, not sure if he still does. A European beech haft will be way tougher than the hollow tube hafts or tropical "hardwood" that windlass uses. I got an amazing bronze mace from him for WELL under your budget, even with shipping from Bulgaria! Highly recommend. He does customs, bronze, steel, grips, whatever you like. He'll do more than maces too. Really talented guy. m.facebook.com/borisbedrosovarmoury/photos/a.556565454527742.1073741837.514843282033293/563259490525005/?type=3Personally, I prefer Lighter maces, under 2lbs. Over 2lbs and they get too sluggish for extended use. I don't have forearms like a blacksmith though. 1.5 to 1.75 lbs is my sweet spot. If you go heavier, you'll want the mace shorter or have a grip that allows you to "choke up" on it. Maces were often cavalry weapons, and in those cases a heavier and/or longer specimen is not so bad at all. A drive-by clobbering doesn't need as much ability to recover or follow-up, and the extra wallop would come in handy when you want to make a strong "first impression" if you catch my meaning.
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Post by g2knee on Apr 22, 2018 14:49:27 GMT
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Post by solaris on Jun 19, 2018 17:12:18 GMT
Look up Hate Sticks. I have one and it is nigh indestructible.
Heavy, but it won't ever break. Ever....
I also have an old Cold Steel Flanged Mace on a hickory haft. Have beaten many things into dust with that. Barely a scratch.
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Post by WVfishguy on Aug 13, 2018 4:53:00 GMT
I too have an old Cold Steel flanged mace. It is the strongest weapon I own. I believe you could decapitate a bear with that thing. Armor would not stand a chance.
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tonystark
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Post by tonystark on Aug 14, 2018 1:32:59 GMT
I had a Sabersmith flanged mace a while back (+$300 If memory serves correct) and I forget if the handle was wood or hollow steel, but it could be reinforced with chain mesh and thick leather wrap. The only thing is that I believe it’s over the OP’s $300 mark. sabersmith.com/product/flanged-mace/. Yup $375, but I do really like their take on warhammerz!!
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