Why The Kabuki Shoulderok Is Overrated

Simply put, the Kabuki Strength Shoulderok is overpriced, complicated, and unsafe.
Enter The Steel Mace Book: www.amazon.com...
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Website: www.coachvaugh...
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#enterthesteelmace

[@BikinCO]

I started out using a 15# Onit mace about 2 years ago and bought the Shoulderok in December of 2022 because I wanted an adjustable one. I workout at home and have a bunch of plates, so that wasn't a concern. I have not had an issue with the nut backing off during my swings and I use it daily as a warmup before my workouts. I also prefer the smaller diameter of the handle and it is so much smoother and balanced to use because of the length compared to traditional maces. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one.

[@donnfelkeryt]

Great review. Also ran into this issue with one I was demoing at my gym. It kept coming loose with just 10-15 lbs. frustrating and it gets in your head

[@richardcaro3368]

I was thinking of getting one but it's ridiculous over price so I made one out of pipes and it works perfectly

[@WilliamsWrestlin]

Same.

[@betterphysicaltherapy]

Thanks for doing this one! I agree 100%. I started with the shoulderok and then moved to Onnit maces because I liked mace training did more than just opening up my shoulders. You hit the key point with the diameter of adding 10s and 25s to the shoulderok and thus it’s only useful up to around 3x5 added on. So as much as it is adjustable, it’s limited in what you can add. Plus it’s too long for many mace movements. Wish I would have known more before buying, but at least it exposed me into mace training which I really enjoy.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Sure thing, I don’t blame you since it has been around for a while (longer than before steel maces got popular). But the surprising part is Kabuki has updated a lot of their tools like the Transformer Bar and Kaddilac Bar when customers complained about certain features. But they’ve let the ShouldeRok age like a dinosaur seriously thinking metal on metal is a good idea on the nut. Even good barbell collars even have rubber on the insides to increase friction. But ya, totally agree and happy you made the switch.

[@ἄπειρον-ένωση]

I have the shoulderok and I love it. I went on to hate on you, but after watching your video... you're a beast and I was impressed instead (first video I've seen). my experiences have been very positive with the mace, but I appreciate the honest review. well done.

[@bigl6322]

Good practical analysis… Have you reviewed with their kyubell??

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Thanks, I was gonna get a pair of 40lb when they first came out because they looked interesting, and then ditched the idea after I saw the total…$500-600 for ONE pair.

[@OneEyedLion]

Thanks coach. You prevented me from making a big mistake.

[@billycasimir1469]

Great video, I like the concept and am a huge fan of Kabuki but being very familiar with steel mace training I could not justify trying the Shoulderok

[@denariusshekels]

It seems to me that if you’re in the market for an adjustable mace , the Adex is the best bet.

[@atomicstation]

Great review! Hadn't gotten my hands on one but was questioning a lot of the things you brought up

[@mattfricano3017]

I've owned a shoulderök for about 2 years now. Use it (almost) daily to warm up to my heavier dedicated maces and as a warm up before benching. It's great for these purposes. I do find that I have to tighten the nut in between sets. I do 10 360s on each side, then tighten. Never had any plates fall, but the noise of the steel on steel clanging getting louder throughout can be alarming at first. I never put anything bigger than a 10lb plate on it, because of the clearance issues shown above.Can easily get 3 5 pound plates on it, or two tens. Any more than that and it feels like there isn't enough for the nut to grab onto. I haven't tried it yet, but some plumbers tape would probably help out immensely. Been curious about the Kensui adjustamace...feels like a better (and cheaper) version of the shoulderök.

[@TongPSuh]

Coach that was a great review. I have great respect for Chris Duffin and I was hesitant to watch your review. But, you were spot on. Thank you.

[@JasonGWolfe]

Thank you for the review and insight! Saved me some money.

[@StrongbyLee]

Enjoyed this video. What are your thoughts on the Ironmaster mace handle?

[@bigjoe520cuzaz]

Super happy I seen this, I was thinking about getting this. Reason I was unsure about it are all the points you have made.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Exact reason I made the video. No one should pay for this at this price without knowing it’s real capabilities.

[@PerfectoKiss]

You must of gotten a defective one. My does not wiggle after the weights are secured. To counter your argument, I prefer not to have multiple poles. Having one and just adding weights save space.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

As stated in the review, I asked by email if this play was normal and Kabuki confirmed it was…which means they didn’t think it was defective. It also can’t go above 25lb safely at all. Mace training is strength based, and you’re not going to get stronger with this piece of overpriced garbage.

[@ECARTMANN]

I'm convinced to not buy this but I do think it would hold better if you used the modern rubber coated weights, The screw would have something to grip to and the weight would push back on the screw and wouldn't automatically start loosening.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Now you're talking about investing $500+ into one flawed tool for one specific exercise...with rubber plates as a solution (that cost average $150-$200 before shipping)? My first point of this overrated pipe screw is it's horribly overpriced, and should come with a rubber gasket at that price either built into the nut. Barbell collars have this for a reason to keep friction against the sleeve. Buying a 10-15LB steel on amazon with free shipping for $50-70 is way more reasonable.

[@utubepunk]

Hmmm. I'm gonna try the Lowes Depot DIY method- end cap + black pipe + coupler + nipple + washer + weights + washer + floor flange end cap.

[@rrsjr79]

That's exactly what I did.

[@JGoodman333]

I agree that there should be a rubber gasket on the nut to apply some tension against the weights or a locking nut. I do like using the shoulderrok in my work outs. I've never used a regular mace before.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

I really wanted to like it, but ya I was very surprised it wasn’t staying on with more security on it.

[@Thereformedpropagandist]

Just saved me from wasting my money and getting mad later. Thanks!

[@TheHybridHunter307]

I have a gen 1 ShoulderRok. There's absolutely no play in the end cap. It's too bad that the quality has declined.

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

It’s great if you’re getting into it or want to dabble with mace training. I don’t think I’ve ever more than 10lbs added weight to my shoulderok.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Im sorry, but thats a complete waste of money for what this thing is priced at if you’re swinging that low of a weight with the idea of dabbling.

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

​@@CoachVikingVaughn I thought about my comment and your reply and I realized I should clarify my original post. I only paid $129.99 in 2017, and I only just started using it seriously this year. I was also a bachelor at the time living in a small apartment with money to waste. I think your assessment is correct; $200+ is way too much for what you get with the shoulderok in today's market. The CK Maceworks, Adex adjustable mace, or an Attitude Iron adjustable mace (by Jacked Ginger on KZbin) would be a better option if I wanted to spend over $200. I think the appeal for me was not knowing what weights to use or buy as a beginner, and not having a lot of space to store a bunch of non-adjustable maces even if I knew about them. I bought four 2.5lb plates for like $20, so it was only like $150 in total for an 8.5lb, 11lb, 13.5lb, 16lb, and 18.5lb mace. I do hate that it can only hold four 2.5lb plates at a time though... That seems like a weird design choice from a powerlifter; they usually like heavy stuff.

[@trevormackenzie9808]

up until now I've viewed Kabuki as a do no wrong, top tier company. Thank you for sharing this and bringing my viewpoint back to reality.

[@HeathWatts]

Interesting.The nut on my Shoulderök does not slip like the one on yours does. I like it, but I don't use it as much as I thought I would.

[@JoshuaLTRyan]

This could be a good idea with some retooling. As seen here though, that's not good.

[@zacharyrohrback]

You can make your own out of galvanized steel, that will function way better than this. There are a few videos on youtube on how to make them. I recommend that to anyone looking for a loadable mace. It cost me about $47 to make the mace with parts from my local hardware store. I got 30 lbs of plates for $25 on Facebook, and they don't move at all when the cap is tightened. Here is one example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZnKaIFmj5qLo5Y

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

The biggest thing is this for you personally or your clients? If it’s for you, by all means go for it and test it it’s integrity with no more than 15lb at first. Loadable maces nowadays are really overpriced these days and making one with good quality pipes and fittings would make sense for one’s budget. Making a mace and letting clients use it is dangerous for business insurance purposes if it breaks and hurts the individual.

[@grandkaiaki]

Yup. They can call it what they want to, but it's a diy basically

[@mdjak3686]

Well done.

[@terryhinkemeyer3857]

Yes Chris's stuff is expensive, but it's expensive for a reason. It's really good. I've got one of these and the Kadillac bar and they're fantastic. You get what you pay for people. You want cheap stuff, buy cheap stuff. You want the best, buy Kabuki Strength products.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

I always wanted to try the Kadilliac bar. My biggest gripe with it is they originally had no knurling on the grips (which is what Kabuki is known for), and now have it as an option…but Rogue weirdly does the manufacturing for them. Plus, I heard once you rack the bar it swings downward hitting some in the head. Whats your take on it?

[@terryhinkemeyer3857]

@@CoachVikingVaughn The powder coat is excellent. No real need for knurling. Yes, it does swing down so you have to be careful. I injured my left shoulder a few years back and it doesn't tolerate bilateral pressing without pain which is why I dropped the moolah for the kadillac in the first place, and it's been well worth it. Zero pain and a deeper range of motion. I have no regrets.

[@DeathswingKettlebell]

Damn. I been seeing alot of people using that product and infelt the same way.. The way how loose end caps are, i can tell where/how it was manufactured. The tolerance when machining those acme threads from a lathe are too large. Shame.

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

Ya, that was surprising as well considering this made in the USA. I’m lucky they let me return this with a refund….that was the only good thing about this lol

[@johnmignano7872]

Totally agree this is a typical example of what NOT to buy, and like many other free weight loading have design flaws, but there are much safer and effective versions that really do address the problems and open up doors to hidden training opportunities that fixed maces can't compare or deliver in terms of performance

[@darthvasilis]

Whoa, where'd you get a 70lbs mace??

[@CoachVikingVaughn]

White Lion Athletics - I have a video here showing more heavy steel mace brands here: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rorHeKiqjc-nidE

[@MrMountain707]

Seems super dangerous.