An introduction to maces and war hammers

Since blunt impact weapons are usually not covered as much as swords I figured it would be good to make kind of a maces / war hammers 101 video. The topics are 1.) practical aspects (mainly handling / function), 2.) design (how they were made / some examples of historical finds), and brief history (when they became common).
Maces were already used in the Bronze Age and earlier while war hammers are a more distinctively medieval form of weapon, specifically designed for use against armor. They reached their peak in development in the 16th century.
** Where to find the flanged mace and war hammer reproductions in this video **
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult...
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult... (the hammer in the video is an older model)
** Sources **
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
www.metmuseum.org/en
The World Museum of Man
www.worldmuseumofman.org/
The Art Institute of Chicago
www.artic.edu/
The British Museum
www.britishmuseum.org/
The Portable Antiquities Scheme
finds.org.uk/
Licence: Creative commons
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Video on bazing
• Braze vs. Weld
Video on forge welding
• White Hart Forge Coal ...
Books:
Knives and Swords - A Visual History
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756...
Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756...
My video about half-swording
• Half-swording - Why gr...
Intro by Heidaz
/ heidaz
Outro music: "Highland Storm" by Slanted Room Records (used with permission)
theslantedroom.weebly.com/
/ tracks
********************************************************************************
My favorite online store for buying swords (worldwide shipping):
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult...
Want to help fund future videos?
/ skallagrim
My Facebook page:
/ skallagrimyt

[@HandleMyBallsYouTube]

The best way to stop the momentum of your mace in combat is to use the head of your opponent as a stopper.

[@ilikestew5719]

@Lincoln Ledger Somethings wrong with you two. Well, for one you're bots.

[@sentimentalmariner590]

@Javion Flynn I don't have Instagram because I am not a fucking deviant.

[@GunnyStilgar]

BOOP THE MAN AT ARMS!

[@texasbeast239]

"Use yer head!" "Nay, I'd rather use HIS!"

[@legm5298]

Thanks I'm going to try this with my neighbor

[@DBArtsCreators]

Sword: Agility, precision, speed, parrying, flexibility. Mace: "I fight with a ROCK on a STICK."

[@sentimentalmariner590]

Sword hits rock on stick rock on stick unaffected sword chipped. Rock on stick hits sword sword all but shatters. Rock on stick wins! chainmail with gambeson and coat of plates affordable stylish durable stops swords. chainmail with gambeson and coat of plates affordable stylish durable can't stop rocks on sticks. Rock on stick wins!

[@eleate6876]

Interesting... LIKE ROCKS

[@sam-ds3nh]

Shad: STICK GOOD!!

[@hollow7777]

I wash myself with a rag on a stick

[@elidennison9902]

i never realized until now just how simple the ideas behind these weapons were. its amazing to think that armor that costs about as much as a car if you were to get one today can be defeated by a simple block of metal called a mace. and that the most widely used weapon, the spear (and in later iterations the halberd) was just a pointy stick... "if its stupid and works, it ain't stupid"- old military adage.

[@noahholland6804]

Easy doesn't mean simple.

[@jacobesterson]

K.I.S.S. It's a rather common adage, it means "keep it simple stupid" and it applies to nigh everything. If it's simple to use, simple to make and it's effective; then you've got yourself a highly functional weapon. Guns are the most recent iteration of K.I.S.S; they're much harder to make than a spear but they excel more in simplicity of use. Aim, pull trigger, hit target and then profit.

[@The_Devil_Himself]

It's the same today. A soldier with thousands of dollars of kevlar or balistic plate armor, or a soldier riding in an expensive armored vehicle can be injured or killed by a cheap roadside bomb. The arms race never ends.

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

@@jacobesterson that is why crossbows got popular so quickly... every halfwit from any random village can be shown how to cock it, point it in the general direction of the enemy and pull the trigger. No fancy archery techniques, years of practice and required physical strength needed to repeatedly draw a bow with high enough power to do some damage. Just put your foot into that loop, grab the bow string with both hands and pull until it is cocked. Bam you got a soldier

[@Shitbird3249]

Keep it simple simps

[@AcitoriaVakarianIdunno]

One thing War Hammers certainly have over most types of weapons is... They're really bloody intimidating (personally).

[@philhelm1318]

It's like when Joe Pesci and his brother get killed (or buried alive) in Casino. Nobody wants to be beaten to death with a blunt weapon.

[@johnhamill5997]

Yes very intimidating especially if you was wearing armour that could not protect against the impact

[@sirsatire7802]

@@johnhamill5997 well armour or not, a mace and war hammer is coming with force

[@Suckyourmothereth]

Yh if ur in lard and u see someone with one you shit yoursef

[@yas4702]

Every gentlemen be a chivalrous Knight... Till another whips out a war hammer

[@creater20225]

i got a question based from the skyrim book mace etiquette. heres what the book says. Warriors sometimes make the mistake of thinking that there are no tactics with a mace. They assume that the sword is all about skill and the mace is only about strength and stamina. As a veteran instructor of mace tactics, I can tell you they are wrong. Wielding a mace properly is all about timing and momentum. Once the swing of the mace has begun, stopping it or slowing it down is difficult. The fighter is committed to not just the blow, but also the recoil. Begin your strike when the opponent is leaning forward, hopefully off balance. It is completely predictable that he will lean backward, so aim for a point behind his head. By the time the mace gets there, his head will be in it's [sic] path. The mace should be held at the ready, shoulder high. The windup should not extend past the shoulders by more than a hand's width. When swinging, lead with the elbow. As the elbow passes the height of your collarbone, extend the forearm like a whip. The extra momentum will drive the mace faster and harder, causing far more damage. At the moment of impact, let the wrist loosen. The mace will bounce and hurt a stiff wrist. Allow the recoil of the blow to drive the mace back into the ready position, thereby preparing the warrior for a quicker second strike. my question is how much of this is true?

[@alaskarii007]

the first part about momentum is all true. as for everything else i'm not completely sure.

[@gabrielmarquez9044]

Sounds logical. (Just liked your comment and left a reply because I want an answer as well. And that helps to get it noticed)

[@passonthestar3689]

I mean, it would be a viable technique. Whether or not it is optimal is opinion but historically every master had an opinion too

[@wesley.3250]

Considering how many stormcloaks i killed with maces I'd say it's all true.

[@ununius7436]

I love the mace.. Often imagined welding one at the shop and using it for the zombie outbreak. A mace and a targe

[@poiuytrewq11422]

You should do a video on Halberds. One of my favorite weapons! It's like someone went "Let's take an Axe, a Spear, and a hook, Slap them together, and kill some stuff!"

[@rafaelllaban4115]

Yeah.. that would be cool, problem is halberds are more for battlefield use in a formation

[@broadbandislife]

+Rafael Llaban That's the full-length ones. As with most polearms people used shorter shafts for less "organised" fighting (incl. dueling).

[@rafaelllaban4115]

broadbandislife I think the shorter ones you're thinking of are poleaxes friend, but then again, people could have called them whatever the hell they wanted

[@broadbandislife]

"Pollaxes", and no. Those were high-end knightly weapons actually intended primarily for dueling and tournaments although perfectly serviceable in the field as well; humbler people just used the various polearms popular around their region at the time (the variety, as usual, being memetically mind-boggling) with appropriately shortened shafts to make them manageable in personal combat. Wasn't limited to the full-on polearms either; there are recorded cases of dismounted knights unceremoniously chopping down their lances to make perfectly serviceable long spears.

[@rafaelllaban4115]

broadbandislife So that's how it's spelled, okay. Well I get that it is a knightly weapon and intended to be used in armoured combat but would it be appropriate for tournaments? Because, in tournaments you didn't intend on killing each other, so was an anti armour weapon a good idea in this context?

[@Leukodystrophy]

Mace: Shaft + Ball/Head (sometimes with flanges) Morning Star: Shaft + Spiked Ball/Head Flail: Shaft + Chain + Spiked Ball/Head (sometimes blunt/flanges) P.S. Great video Skall, keep it up!

[@WarlordFlanker]

"Gluing metal together" as a welder, I really like that description, cheers Skalla!

[@ISawABear]

Medieval Killer Bunnies are no joke, we've all seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail...

[@sebizzus]

IDidSawABear dude i was looking for that movie's name for ages ,thx

[@ISawABear]

***** Hurry, fetch the holy hand grenade!

[@burningking7772]

IDidSawABear LOOK AT THE BONES MAN!!

[@mergele1000]

IDidSawABear Better start counting.

[@purplemutantas]

IDidSawABear "How's it work?" "I no not sir." "Consult the book of armaments!"

[@alexkfridges]

Some useful physics terms for this topic: Sword's and mace's have the same MASS, but the mace has a much greater 'Moment of intertia' - essentially how "heavy" something is to rotate (this changes depends on what axs it rotates around, i.e. where you hold the thing)

[@alexkfridges]

***** It can be thought of as 'rotational mass' or 'angular mass'

[@sherrigofdenmark2823]

So a Claymore has the same mass as a Rapier? seems about right.

[@bioemiliano]

@@sherrigofdenmark2823 This comment is heavily retarded

[@neidhartmuller8804]

@@sherrigofdenmark2823 ?

[@FellS3raph]

Just grip the mace at the striking head and hold it upside-down. Now all the handling of a good sword, with the armor-crushing power of a mace. Then put a removable pommel on it hiding an exacto knife blade. Perfect weapon/10.

[@PassTheSnails]

Or maybe a sword with a mace screwed onto the end like a pommel. Now half swording is doubly effective

[@darthbaker0247]

@@PassTheSnails that would probably throw the center of gravity way off

[@darthbaker0247]

@Professor Weaboo r/ihavereddit

[@zain6008]

The hammer already has a spike that could be used for stabbing

[@szabobali88]

"What did that Warhammer cost?" - "40k"

[@suicidaltendencies2173]

Very underrated comment

[@NabPunk]

-(Bolt Thrower's) World Eater intro fades in.

[@Bloodletter8]

@@NabPunk I'm just so damn happy to see Bolt Thrower being mentioned. Sooooooo underrated

[@iliketrains.539]

EAT BOLT GUN!

[@thatsrealroughbud...2394]

noice

[@PochocloEn3D]

"Beware of medieval killer bunnies wtih maces" I always do Skall, i always do.

[@nikvett]

QUÉ, NO ESPERABA VERTE ACÁ.

[@ianbarr5646]

This man is a true Nord

[@joynelbonetdelgado4952]

Ian Barr I say more of a true Breton, the weapons and armors he likes seems more similar to the ones of Bretons

[@smokingunstudios6474]

Joynel Bonet Delgado Britain's are often battle mages so plate armor staff and a one-handed sort of some kind

[@AG.Floats]

You misspelled nerd

[@pongugy9828]

@@AG.Floats nice

[@midlifecrisis9151]

@@AG.Floats what's bad in that?

[@broomslayer4428]

I am a junior mechanical engineer, working on a casting design project of a hammer, with stylistic liberty, and I’m going with a war hammer, glad to see you have a video on them!

[@0hn0haha]

Useless weapon: no unscrewable pommel to throw.

[@fabianbockel5700]

cause you must end him rightly

[@johanngaiusisinwingazuluah2116]

+Familie Ohst Then hammer their testicles. That will end any men rightly.

[@Mithirael]

You should know that a mace is actually a pommel stuck on a handle to allow the user to channel the power of the almighty pommel in a strike!

[@broadbandislife]

_Au contraire_, it is arguably the *ultimate* weapon - a giant pommel onna stick, ready to throw!

[@Mithirael]

***** Who spoke of a man? I'm thinking of a GOD!

[@samwilliams6820]

I feel a long-ish steel mace with a bowl guard would be the best melee weapon against zombies. No need to sharpen, tougher than a sword, can be sheathed safely in pretty much anything, can't cut yourself to transmit infection, arguably easier to kill said zombie with mace rather than sword (no need for edge alignment, can just swing away in mindless situations etc.) Blood less of an issue, blunt trauma may not need to open head to sufficiently damage brain..etc.

[@Addsomehappy]

It's hard to swing it fast enough then they are in group. While you are crushing a skull of one, other will get you in seconds.

[@purplemutantas]

Sam Williams I would combine the mace with a spear with a cross guard. Something like a spontoon but with a smooth point. You use the spear to keep the zombie at bay so it doesn't bite you. Once skewered the zombie will keep moving forward. The cross guard keeps the zombie from sliding down the shaft. The zombie will then be a the right distance to whack upside the head with the mace. A flanged mace should splatter the zombies brains nicely. You could dispatch zombies in fairly short order with that. Stab, whack, remove spear, repeat.

[@reddokkfheg9443]

Addsomehappy True. But with a sword you will have a harder time to crack their skulls, and chopping of the head would not be easy as a pie. would require alot more accurate strikes. that would take longer to perform. And a sword can also get stuck in a zonbie, in the head or other parts of the body. while a mace is more unlikely to get stuck. And so on. all weapons would have their strong and weak sides. not even in a zombie apocalypse there is a perfect weapon. But i would prefere an axe. requires less work to keep it in good shape than a sword. more work than a mace. but while the mace and sword will be only weapons that don't have much other use the axe would be an very much needed tool.

[@samwilliams6820]

Addsomehappy Its not a good idea to go in Rambo at a group anyway. If you keep swinging, keeping up the momentum it should be quite fast.

[@samwilliams6820]

purplemutantas That sounds quite inefficient. Anyone with relative practice should be able to hit a moving head-sized target with a mace. Skewering it may aid in safety, but it takes too much time. Something long like that would be hard to travel with. If I had a spontoon/partisan-lenght weapon, I would hope i could use it like a halberd/naginata, and not needing two separate actions to kill one entity.

[@Kiteman78]

You: the war hammer was a legendary weapon used in countless wars and battles Me: hehe wack

[@juliomirelez1608]

Brutal Beat you

[@montyeyesclosed]

@Brutal Beat skallagrim (sorry im a bit late)

[@robertpatter5509]

And wack is what the Warhammer did. I cant imagine getting hit by one in the chest or head. The ultimate wacking

[@tallestgesse6125]

I love this video a lot of times Maces and warhammers get overlooked for swords and it was cool to see some good information on them

[@xandercager5276]

The indigenous American ones and the Mongolian one were my favorites visually, the one with the fist and knife was also pretty neat.

[@beepboop204]

did you watch the Deadliest Warrior when they did the Snap, Crackle and Pop joke?

[@TheOldTomster]

You forgot Mace Windu. ;) Seriously though: I really enjoy your videos, dude.

[@danmorariu9889]

TheOldTomster I'm going to acquire a mace this summer, and I want to name it Windu... So I'll own Mace Windu :))

[@TheOldTomster]

lol that's cool Dan

[@MofOptics]

Dan Morariu But will it be purple?

[@danmorariu9889]

:)) That is a nice idea... But no.

[@Jmat-tc8zs]

Full-time Penguin Is it at least black? :3

[@FordPrefict42]

The 13th Warrior- Arab - I can't swing this. Viking - Grow stronger!

[@AJKecsk]

"Is there a metalworker here? I want to change this sword into a scimitar like my people will use 300+ years in the future."

[@shaymayo6]

THIS MAN DOES NOT BLINK

[@phillipmargrave]

+Shay Mayo !Vampyre!

[@Eeter26]

Shay Mayo he’s a lizard, like steve jobs

[@someguy9597]

He's blinking when you're blinking

[@kwl4829]

Shay Mayo when he blinks he looks down

[@sttonep242]

wat? he blinks like every 5 seconds

[@2sdd]

have you ever hit the camera doin the swing? xD

[@2sdd]

+2sdd while*

[@blaziiclan8846]

Do you think he'd have a camera if he had?

[@gerry7860]

+Blazii Clan smart

[@jcxmotor5]

+Blazii Clan Well, he could've bought a new one sassypants

[@briann78]

2sdd n

[@joezzzify]

You also had WW1 Trench clubs. They were kind of maces also.

[@freenarative]

Skalgrim: "I wish I had three arms." me thinking ""it looks like you have enough arms to be going on with!" I love your work.

[@nickpeebles7541]

why did no 1 handed maces or war hammers use a cross-guard or at least some form of hand protection? would that not be useful against a sword that has a longer reach and sharp edge?

[@Skallagrim]

+Nick Peebles Some did have a disk guard. But they would likely be used with a shield, so that's less of an issue.

[@nickpeebles7541]

oh i did not realize that some did. I also did not take into account the shield that would likely have been used at the same time as the mace. I suppose adding extra weight for no reason would be sort of pointless. =) Thanks for the reply

[@BaskakovDima]

+Skallagrim I would say, late-medieval maces are also very likely to be used with a plate glove, which (from my subjective point of view) protects A LOT better than a cross-guard, which can bend a lot (watch some pro-level tournaments), and your opponent can still hit your hand. A disk guard protects you more from your hand sliding up rather than from strikes.

[@charlesw5919]

+Nick Peebles You can wear rondele plates over your finger gauntlets that add additional plate protection over your plated gauntlets.

[@SkallKiller]

+Nick Peebles this is just an uneducated guess but with warhammers I think you need to be able to adjust the way you grip the weapon for more reach and damage vs more control and defence to make the best use of it. As for one-handed maces I'm gonna say that simply put... There WERE one handed maces that had guards that I have seen floating around.

[@esmile101]

Ah the Lucerne, had some fun times with that on Dark Souls :D

[@mrwindupbird101]

+Emile Boel Polearms are the greatest in the Souls games. I preffered the standard Halberd myself

[@esmile101]

+mrwindupbird101 my fave was actually the great scythe, but Lucerne is definitly in top 5

[@mrwindupbird101]

I liked the Halberd because in PvP most people would underestimate it's range and strength because it's an easy weapon to get ahold of.

[@esmile101]

+mrwindupbird101 ah yea i can see that in pvp you would choose the halberd, i prefered lifehunt scythe in pvp people die very quick 2-3 hits.

[@mrwindupbird101]

I wasn't a fan of status weapons. I preferred beating someone with straight force lol

[@gambleralex5083]

You should do a Video on the Aztec's Atlatl

[@Cretaal]

The spear throwing device? I like that idea. Or were you meaning the Macuahuitl obsidian sword?

[@widdershins5383]

I believe it's covered in his non-metal video if you haven't found it

[@coatltepetchia9854]

look at this aztec weapons facebook.com/2059480511005933/videos/2120598128227504/

[@coatltepetchia9854]

facebook.com/2059480511005933/photos/ms.c.eJxFzdsNxEAIQ9GOVmBepv~;GVpkJ5PcIX6CQlKI62yD44UKVRjTLBmgHsgZanon2XnQcIAeyTlRzL240dpJNIMPfqMOUgAlj4Xmbrt8FL2BAeSbNAdRt9ID7mUgu5AUfCDxgXyPKyS7sBHog8Qe29z1f.bps.a.2120607651559885/2120607814893202/?type=3&theater

[@eltio8288]

his name was not aztecs

[@Raptorman0205]

11:57 I can't help but imagine a warhammer with this shape, where it also has a top spike being held aloft by the middle finger.

[@oxygenRix]

Interesting, educational and informative. Great in-depth explanations and historical references, photos, videos and live weapons. Great work

[@NeverTrustNoah]

I literally am not even a weapon nut or anything but I listen and watch all these videos while doing things and it calms me and brings me joy. maybe im too high right now but I don't care these videos are amazing.

[@suaamigamisteriosa]

So, I watched your video with the two "professional" swordsmen discussing dual wielding, and then followed it up with your review of the windlass mace, and now this vid ... and it got me wondering about your take on dual wielding maces?

[@Skallagrim]

In short: Terrible idea. Maces are neither agile nor particularly good at parrying, so it would be cumbersome and offer very little defensive capability, while not having any advantage over mace and shield or buckler.

[@declanpm8578]

Maces are quite reliant on how you swing the weight. Bit like a larger weapon, if you swing the weight properly it would still be able to do damage to an opponent but dual wielding a mace... its just not practical at all. A shield/mace would be much better. Much like dual wielding swords using one to block the opponents weapon while using the other to strike would be the strategy used. But due to a longer swing time the opponent would likely be able to block it with their shield or sidestep out of the way.

[@topdude234]

dalila silva hello fellow Silva

[@jnbaker7422]

To be honest, how does this guy not already have 1 million subscribers?

[@mattbrown5511]

Very nice to see a video on the unsung weapons used in Europe. The various swords and bow/arrow combinations get most of the attention. Thank you.

[@Teskar30]

Skal, thank you for sharing your knowledge and the results of your researches with us ! Your videos are really enlightening and relaxing. Thank you so much !

[@Azihayya]

I'm a huge mace enthusiast. I haven't found any mace sparring videos, probably because the concept of it in any realistic sense is extremely dangers, if not lethal. While I haven't been able to wield maces or study mace fighting, I like to think of what it would be like to wield maces in different circumstances; in match-ups against other weapons. I understand that historically maces were designed primarily for the purposes of fighting against armored opponents or while on horseback, but I don't give in to the notion that maces are necessarily inferior to other types of weapons in naked duels. The major thing to consider while thinking about maces in a fighting scenario is that your offense requires your full commitment. There's far less 'sparring' if you're trying to win a duel with a mace. It's more like, you're going to kill your opponent, and there isn't much that they can do to stop you, despite however much damage they might be able to deal back to you. My favorite consideration is dual-wielding maces that are equipped with 'rings' around the shaft and have some extra length to them- weapons that have existed in history, although I don't have any knowledge that they were put there specifically to defend against blades. I want to go a little bit into how dual-wielding maces can be effective, particularly in a two-mace versus single-sword situation, but I'd like to point out that swords were very commonly used throughout history for their convenience, that is in carrying them around, as well as for their ability to win you a duel while coming out of the battle unscathed yourself. Also, I need to make some disclaimer to the fact that, while dual-wielding weapons was not popular at all, it is often recognized as being possible, yet most effective in a dueling situation and while being extraordinarily difficult to learn in comparison to other weapon/shield combinations. Against a single sword, two maces as described have the potential to completely control an opponents blade. While defending from a strike it would be totally possible to lock a blade in between two maces, and from there the sword-wielders leverage is all but removed from them, and there are some ways from the mace wielders position to continue the attack, or attempt to disarm the blade. It is worth it to note that defending from high strikes is much more advantageous for the mace-wielder than trying to lock an opponents blade in from a low-guard, because the legs and stomach are still a viable target if the blade wielder can leverage their blade straight forward. Essentially, in a duel to the death, there are two primary techniques which I've identified that work better in these two different scenarios: against a single blade and against another dual-wielding fighter. Against a single [long] blade wielder, it would be a better idea to use two maces to control the opponents weapon, if the ideal is to win the fight without taking damage. Against another dual-wielder, particularly a sword fighter using a thinner variant of sword (which I understand to many is considered impractical and only suited for fantasy films), the dual-mace wielder accepts that they're going to take damage and has to make a more all-out attack approach, which involves hiking one mace over a shoulder, charging at the sword-user, and for a brief moment before connecting attempt to deflect the sword-users attacks while bringing the other mace down across the opponents shoulder or across their neck. To stop a mace-wielder from killing you in a duel, a sword wielder has to stab the mace-user with such force that it stops and kills them before they can advance the attack, or hits a paralyzing nerve- alternatively, and probably the tactic with the highest chance of success without death, is that they can attempt to draw blood and evade the fight until the opponent dies- but in a duel to the death, a mace-user will always attack with the intention of getting their strikes through- because what is very true is that the longer a fight versus swords goes on and while emphasizing finesse over brutality, the sword is at a clear advantage and they're likely to cause extreme amounts of bleeding. However, even if not utilizing the defensive technique of locking an opponents weapon in between their maces and disarming them against a single-blade wielder, after a mace wielder gets past the tip of a blade, while preventing enough damage to be able to neglect the pain that could ensue, it would be very difficult for the sword wielder to gain any more leverage in the fight, and would have to rely on grappling as a last resort. Dual-wielding maces is practically unheard of, which is why to so many it comes across as totally impractical- but think about it, test the idea around in your imagination for awhile and maybe you can think of some of the more unique things about the idea of dual-wielding maces; here are a few that I really enjoy to consider: 1) It would be possible to use the momentum and weight of your maces to rapidly alter the momentum of your leg movement. 2) There isn't much to stop the mace wielder's strike from connecting barring a two-handed parry. 3) There are certain momentum-based techniques that could be employed to deflect long-reaching weapons, possibly even spears (the greatest enemy) while advancing forwards, such as a 'windshield wipers' kind of movement, with the option to swing either mace downwards, and while having the other mace capable of covering against a feint attack. When you really think about it, two maces is an extraordinarily effective combination at stopping a single sword weapon. It's like having invulnerable extensions to your arms that can be used for parrying blade weapons. One of the most interesting match-ups I've thought up is a person dual-wielding a heavier sword with a thick end, like a dadao, where the match-up becomes much more focused on might versus might, rather than might versus grace, and the sword-user would be much more focused on countering the mace-users hands and wrists, contrasted to looking for targets like the throat, inner arms, gut or legs. You really have to have a heavy weapon to parry the power of the swing of a mace with one hand, though.

[@kubaGR8]

I have a question: why would you use two amces, instead of mace + dagger/sword/axe? Having two maces seems very redundant.

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

Well, duel wielding maces is just like duel wielding axes: stupid. Maces don't have any defensive value, as parrying is difficult and you can't protect yourself against a guy with a pole arm or a mace+shield. Arrows are also a problem when duel wielding: you can't deflect all arrows and you'll get hit. That's why shields are paired with axes, hammers, and maces. And might vs. might, instead of a dadao, it would be a weapon with greater reach and power: the Dopplehander (Zweihander). At that point, you're already dead, doesn't matter if you're both amateurs or Mace Grandmaster vs. Montante. And if you want Might vs. Might evenly, then duel maces vs. duel axes. And no, two maces is not extraordinarily effective. And there is something stopping the two mace strikes: a shield.

[@metalman6708]

I actually own the book you're using as a reference. Beautifully illustrated.

[@JonatasMonte]

That's something that really surprised me, the frist time I saw a warhammer it was shocking because I would never realise how small it was compared to what I've had all those years in my mind, even the bigger ones.

[@jesusonmypizza]

I've been binge watching your reviews on your weapons and it's all so very entertaining! I never suspected until I stumbled upon your channel that I'd be interested in bladed weaponry and the history behind them! Especially the replicas of the medieval weapons like your bastards sword. But above all your entertaining reviews and tests, I have to say I love the sparring videos the most! Also, you and your wife are the most loveliest people I've ever seen! :')

[@CrownRock1]

"I wish I had three arms." You have a wife...

[@robertpatter5509]

Ahhh...Lydia. She's sworn to carry my burden. Forever.

[@Demogarose]

I'd love to see a comparison video between Axes and Hammers, the pros and cons of each compared to the other

[@Bananenbauer123]

Axes have more cutting power whereas hammers are exceptionally good at blowing up armor. Usually platearmor was alot more expensive to produce so almost exclusively wealthy knights actually weared the really good armor sets. Until this point when countries joined war many peasants and other people that have no business in fighting were forced to protect their land. Over time however people realized that swarming an enemy with large numbers is not the only thing contributing to the outcome of a battle. Armor became available for a larger number of people because kingdoms started financing their very personal army. At this time armor piercing weapons started shining such as hammers and clubs, however this time didnt last very ling because when armor piercing crossbows and last but not least gunpowder weapons joined the table, armor became very dispensable. I hope I could help.

[@THEFurfoot]

the more you know

[@Sr_ECO]

Axe cuts hammer bonks

[@zipp4everyone263]

Thank you very much for this detailed tutorial on maces! I really enjoyed the end part where you went through many different types from different parts of the world and eras. +1

[@eageus7844]

you never mentioned the bar mace. i am personally a huge fan of this weapon.and would love to see someone do a full video on it and its history.

[@andysmith5806]

When in doubt... "It was for ritual purposes."

[@ur_cowboy]

3:05 who else puckered up thinking he was gonna hit his showcase

[@r3c0n808]

omg ya XD

[@standandyliver9811]

I thought he might hit the camera

[@barrykent9877]

The mace, called "obuszek", was very popular in XV - XVI century here in Poland. It was very popular combat weapon, but not only that. It was popular as sunshide in UK in XIX-XX's and cane in XVII-XIX century. It was mostly for fashion, but also: "it was good to use it every day for training arm, for fencing with saber". Hussars wre using "obuszek", "koncerz" (heavy thin sword for fighting armoured enemy), saber, long lance, called "kopia", warhammer and pair of pistols... Sometime also lance, arquebus or bow with small shield. I cannot imagine how they were using it all on battlefield... Just a little nice fact. All The Best!

[@NateXSaber]

Skall, you're really scaring me with those demonstrative swings.

[@mikewhalen8020]

"Beware of Killer Medieval Bunnies with Maces!" That needs to be made into a t-shirt with that image.

[@sweetrumman6496]

That mongolian mace was too pretty to have been used for combat.

[@Timeward76]

Weight distribution was the first thing I thought after hearing about thr mass. The sword is more distributed and long, while the mace has a large metal thing on the end, giving it a lot more force in a strike

[@oldman747]

just found out about your channel today. I like the fact that you not only give opinions but also give a reason for them. you arnt just filling in the blank spaces. you actually have something to say.

[@CIoudStriker]

Just asking, what is the main difference between a Mace and a Morning Star?

[@Skallagrim]

Captain Orvok A morning star has a spiked ball head.

[@CIoudStriker]

***** Just like one of the Maces you have shown, so what makes the difference? I really try to get that.

[@Skallagrim]

Captain Orvok The terminology is debatable, there is no universally accepted textbook definition of these weapons that I'm aware of.

[@CIoudStriker]

***** Thanks, another Lesson learned.

[@Warek200]

Captain Orvok i think its a kind of a 2 handed version of the mace with spikes because normally the morning star is really heavy

[@catdogfishdogcats]

Woo, Priest Weapons.

[@DreamSneak]

I'm so glad I found your channel. Great stuff mate!

[@Thea1d2r3i4a5n6]

You did a wonderful job telling me about my favorite weapons! You are awesome, thanks!

[@DaPsychocat]

Hey Skall ! Speaking about maces, I've always wondered about morning stars (or morgensterns). I've always found them incredibly gorgeous, but always wondered when and why it was used... Care to answer ? :)

[@Sammy9262]

The Psychocat. Lindybeige made a video about those, but more with a historical than practical view. But they seem rather impractical, and weren't used much, appearently.

[@silverfangmoonhunter]

Penile Polearm

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

Sammy9262 It could have been for if you wanted a weapon that was both anti-armor and had more wounding potential against less armored/unarmored foes as well. Although it was a bit heavier, and the spikes might have taken away some of the impact. Most spikes were meant to help channel the impact on armor to a point (less spread, meaning more shock to the wearer on area of impact). However, flanged maces accomplished the same goal, and required less accuracy (each flange covers the whole head).

[@rasmasyean]

The Psychocat. It's like mini crows beaks. Some were pretty thin, so I'd imagine it can go through mail pretty easily. A pyramid shaped spike is prolly for plate since the edges shear metal easier (a la bodkin arrowhead). It's a tradeoff between pure concussive force vs. piercing ability. Chained versions that have more than one weight have more chance of blindly hitting something cool or piercing an artery I would guess.

[@Sammy9262]

Usammity Yeah, maybe. But I'd still rather use a normal mace, or something like that. I think it would be quite dangerous to swing around some metal balls on a chain, especially in a formation, if you don't fight alone. I don't think your fellow soldiers would approve it, you swinging this thing around wildly (You probably will, because you need some momentum, and the chains don't make it easier to build some up) So...yeah, I think it's probably safer and more effective to use just a mace, a warhammer, an axe, or maybe even a spear.

[@thuzan117]

3:26 they kind of address this in skyrim actually, swords and daggers swing the fastest of any melee weapons, followed by war axes and then maces.

[@michaelrunde9545]

I love your arming sword. I also really love that green handle

[@JohnRaptor]

You're right about some of those stone mace heads being really beautiful. I didn't realize they had such elaborate shapes.

[@__BERSERKER__]

You are quickly becoming an excellent commentator!

[@leafheart3213]

2 pounds that’s interesting personally in my experience the hammers that I’ve worked with are around 3.5 lbs but I do see the infinite benefits of a lighter hammer

[@ConcaCon]

That flanged mace of yours is so freaking beautiful.

[@WarlockVex]

Actually, Whale Bone Mace heads were found in Orkney Island Scotland. So yes the Celts did have and use Maces. Also as a ceremonial badge of office for Druids. Pre bronze age. There is a documentary on the "Orkney Island Temple Complex" on KZbin.

[@Gradymeister]

Makes me wanna play Mount and Blade lol

[@childeater7327]

2:07 perfectly balanced as all things should be

[@therookofchess]

I find this absolutely fascinating. Great video. Could you do an introduction to armor use as a weapon?

[@rafaelrodrigues7971]

Very interesting. I really hope to see a video detailing the techniques and manuals for the use of maces... though I doubt they were as intricate as sword manuals.

[@Anekantavad]

One weapon that has always struck me (figuratively) as truly an *OUCH* kind of thing is the Native North American war hammer/club consisting of a double-headed, somewhat diamond-shaped stone head and a long, relatively thin shaft. www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/images/s264.jpg It seems like a horrible weapon to be hit by, especially a well-aimed, non-lethal shot to (say) shoulder or hip. Very little wind resistance, and easy to "wind up" before striking a blow. Like getting hit by a sharpened golf club. I imagine that this weapon would take a *huge* amount of practice to be able to use proficiently, and would be dependent on the proficiency and agility of the wielder for its effectiveness. But the Native American warrior was generally fighting a "Homeric" kind of warfare, and agility and nimble use of weapons was paramount. Considering that the Europeans originally relied on the bayonet when they arrived in North America (accuracy of muskets wasn't so great) I can imagine how horrible it would be to be on the receiving end of a guerrilla raid by a bunch of superbly fit, "martial arts trained" young Iroquois or Huron. *You* have a missile/lance kind of weapon, while they are prepared to grapple with sharpened stone clubs. I shudder to think of it. No wonder it was usually called a "massacre", not a "defeat" when the Europeans lost an engagement to them. Dying or being seriously injured in that way must have been awful indeed.

[@compagniemedievaledufuret8778]

Anekantavad I am halfway off topic but it kind of reminds me of Ajax's weapon in the movie "Troy". media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/13062/13226915_3.jpg Funny how Hollywood always seems to mix up stuff from all around the world...

[@Anekantavad]

They even got the story wrong in "Troy". Ajax killed himself in Homer's story. :-)

[@WhatIsSanity]

I would venture a guess this weapons shaft has shrunk/decomposed over the years. Early muskets were wildly inaccurate out side of about 45 metres, and the bayonet was put to use liberally; but the muskets most devastating affect was against morale. Usually a trained firing line would wait until the targets came well within the weapons effective range and open fire in volleys; once the enemy started routing then sabres and bayonets were put to use.

[@Anekantavad]

The shaft on a lot of those clubs is pure rawhide. Essentially a whip with a stone head Ouch! :-)

[@WhatIsSanity]

Anekantavad Potentially devastating weapon.

[@MrTomGrizzly]

Just wondering, wouldnt the really spiky one be super impractical? Considering if you plunge into some plate armor itll be incredibly hard to pull out?

[@archimedesnation]

+TomGrizzly If the "really spiky one" is the indian mace, remember... they used elephants.

[@finlaybullough499]

This was for use against the East India Trading Company (British). They didn't use plate armour at this point

[@snapperxv]

some nice mace headed trench clubs were used in the great war, ranging from weighted clubs with boot nails, lance butts, weighted clubs with long nails to special crafted mace heads made in field workshops.

[@oxidiana93]

Just discovered your channel, and it's AMAZING that there's another weapon fan :) So interesting and i'm learning. Cool

[@purplemutantas]

What about a morning star? Is that just a mace with spikes like the Indian mace you showed?

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

Well, to answer in place of Skall, yes. Morning stars are generally spiked maces according to pop culture. However, these spikes can also be studs

[@toryunaminosaki1022]

Not the killer bunnies..oh no! ;)

[@kaiquenavessantos7358]

Best video about maces, best medieval content channel !!

[@slawdog8]

Finally a decent historical perspective on weaponry. Great channel im subscribing.

[@chinkenstrimps]

Are you a viking?

[@sylvesterstallon3]

Basically

[@johnpershing5723]

Greatest comment seen so far on his channel.

[@broadbandislife]

Not enough beard, furs and horned helmets for that.

[@broadbandislife]

***** . . .

[@comradematthew4895]

Grant B. SHIT YOURE RIGHT

[@MastaGambit]

lmfao, i'm surprised that I haven't seen any representations of that "hand-holding-a-dagger" mace in any modern video games yet... XD

[@MercutioUK2006]

Thanks for including your reference material, makes for an interesting reading list :)

[@Ebvardh]

Very informative. Thank you, Skal.

[@Nonsense010688]

Thre things about this: first. thank you for the waring at the end. second: I'm shock to find out that the War hammers in Warhammer may not be so realistic (at least the two handed ones). Third: I wondered if the Hammers with the knife hands were real weapons. I mean I know some of the armour was more worn like a costume (to Canaveral even) or dress, than actual intended to warfare. Can you confirm or deny this?

[@CosmicDuck494]

Si Wi I don't know how common the fist-and-pick type hammers were, but according to this illustration by Talhoffer, they were used: i.imgur.com/Cl6G6iC.jpg

[@DarkBattleMage0407]

Si Wi I found some articles depicting the sledgehammer style warhammers that refer to it as a maul. Not sure if that is accurate but there the possibility such a design was used.

[@Nonsense010688]

Sharpknifesedge thanks for the picture, thou I still wonder, since it seems to show it in the context of duelling (which differs a bit than war), but still it seems that those were use fighting.

[@CosmicDuck494]

Si Wi I can't really give you an answer to that, but I'm sure there's someone more knowledgeable in the comment section? But ever since I first saw this picture, I wondered why anyone would choose such a weapon for (apparently unarmored?) duelling.

[@Nonsense010688]

Sharpknifesedge mhhh good point, a anti amour weapon has no use in a rather armour less fight, except perhaps personal reference or extravagance (duellist need some of this to be known). Also of course the training for war, consist often of such duelling (even thou most time without blood).

[@jamessarvan7692]

What is the difference between a mace and a club really? Because germanic tribes for example did use clubs, and so did the celts.

[@oddluck4180]

James Sarvan Maces tend to have one large bulbous peice of metal while clubs tend to just be glorified sticks with no real processes.

[@700ode]

James Sarvan Club is only wood, sometimes added spikes or metal. Mace may be fully metal, Or a wooden grip but the head will be metal.

[@TheOtherBradBird]

If I remember correctly, Black Forest German tribes used clubs shaped to have an edge. Essentially, they were carved to be triangular and bring all that mass down into a single point. Super effective weapons, despite being entirely wooden.

[@williambarnes274]

I truly enjoy your videos. When I spend a little extra to purchase quality built fighting replicas. Your videos help in explaining to my wife the expenditure. In particular when I buy the "Cold Steel" practicing replicas to train my sons.

[@tylergordon8378]

Dude your the best, very informative im a collector as well but of Japanese weapons but i love how you do these reviews you cover everything and i think your the best reveiwer out there.

[@battleb0ng420]

the best way to stop a war-hammer mid-swing is to collide with someone's noggin

[@RedAce0]

so does a "Morning Star" count as a mace or is that it's own sort of beast? also, please analyze the practicality of "War Scythes".

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

You might have actually seen that video by Skall, where he goes over Farming Scythes, Practicality of a Grim Reaper Scythe (including Paulus Hector Mair's manuscript on how to use a farming scythe as a weapon) and the war scythe itself

[@RedAce0]

@@voltekthecyborg7898 man, four years does a lot to you, but you'll be happy to know that yes, I have seen his video about Scythes haha. Along with many other's. Thank you for the update c:

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

@@RedAce0 No problem, man

[@kjellollig]

This video was really nice! I highly enjoyed it!

[@painovoimaton]

Fiiiinally a mace and hammer video! Thanks!

[@rm2569]

same idea from different places? only one explanation! ALIENS!

[@Rheimus]

rafael m Or energy fields, probably those bastards on Europa trollin again.

[@thatlemonguy1107]

MATHERFACKING *_A L I E N S !_*

[@General12th]

"I wish I had three arms. To smash my THREE DI--" ~Skall, 2015

[@septipuss3578]

Such an interesting channel. I love it!

[@neilmackenzie4394]

I must mention my present favorite author Bernard Cornwell. I just finished his novel "1356" about the battle of Poitiers. Very descriptive mace action by the men at arms and dismounted archers.

[@HurFordMeat]

Great video! I love maces and warhammers. Too bad it is impossible to buy warhammers in south america because nobody crafts them anymore.. :(

[@HurFordMeat]

Hansen Rao that's stupid..

[@Pibydd]

Marcelo Henrique It doesn't look like rocket science - basically a hammer with some spikey bits attached. So buy a hammer head and take it to a blacksmith and get him to weld on the extra pieces.

[@HurFordMeat]

Pibydd It's not. I didn't say it was impossible to get one, just that it was impossible to buy an avaliable model because there isn't any.

[@WhatIsSanity]

Most people have to buy their historical reproductions over the Internet, and have the product shipped or posted to them.

[@HurFordMeat]

Luke DS Problem is: I live in Brazil. Here we have some kind of roulette with the customs bureal to check if you're gonna pay double the price of the goods you've ordered or not (they call it economy-protective taxes). The reason of that is that they're too incompetent to check the whole flow of importations so they let some pass though. If I never know how much I'm gonna pay for something, I can't really plan to acquire anything from overseas...

[@Sammy9262]

They do look interesting, but well... Not enough pommels to throw, wouldn't use them in a duel.

[@silasmata2838]

I'd really like to see a video about fighting techniques with maces/warhammers, and also shields!

[@fibonaccisdao1627]

Great descriptions and shirt!

[@SCARECROWprods]

I don't know why but I pictured you swinging the mace and then accidental smashing your keyboard(pretend its there if its not), and having an "oh shit" face as keys few everywhere.

[@SCARECROWprods]

10/10 ended the keyboard rightly!

[@quentinh3140]

Do a video about the flemish goedendag(goedendag means good day)

[@Thor.Jorgensen]

The origin of the weapons name and how it supposed to be named is actually being debated, due to the change of medieval-modern language and how it was interpreted by foreigners (in this case by old English sources). The other factor is that it was named after a massacre in Bruges. By myth it was due to militias bidding people good day and then proceeding by murdering anyone who answered with a french accent. However.. The massacre took place during night time, and I don't know how well that fits in with "good day" rather than "good night". Other suggestions for what it should have been named was "Good Dagger" although there are also some obvious discrepancies.

[@quentinh3140]

Thor Jørgensen i just said it (now) means good day. Being from flanders: i know the debate.

[@clemguitarechal]

I really enjoyed that video, thanks man ! Keep up the good work

[@dandydasyt4766]

That mace looks gorgeous.i'm in love