Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Does a flail (or other flexible weapon) hit as hard as a comparable solid bludgeon? There has been a lot of speculation on that topic, but not much in the way of real-life experiments with consistent variables. Usually the flail and mace have different lengths and weights, and not every swing is done with the same exact force.
That's why I made this setup here. The same mace head attached to either a rigid full-sized handle or a chain attached to a shorter handle. I'll be doing some tests with equal mechanical input, to see what the practical difference is, if any.
This is my initial impression of how they handle and feel, subjectively. I'm also showing you how this is put together, and how I'm planning to conduct the test.
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
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#skallagrim #medieval #history #historicalweapons
Does a flail (or other flexible weapon) hit as hard as a comparable solid bludgeon? There has been a lot of speculation on that topic, but not much in the way of real-life experiments with consistent variables. Usually the flail and mace have different lengths and weights, and not every swing is done with the same exact force.
That's why I made this setup here. The same mace head attached to either a rigid full-sized handle or a chain attached to a shorter handle. I'll be doing some tests with equal mechanical input, to see what the practical difference is, if any.
This is my initial impression of how they handle and feel, subjectively. I'm also showing you how this is put together, and how I'm planning to conduct the test.
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #medieval #history #historicalweapons
