We get a lot of the same questions over and over again — from people brand new to steel mace and club training, and from customers who already own our gear and want to understand it better.
So we decided to put everything in one place (actually, we have this blog, the YouTube video, AND the FAQ page here on our website - found on the menu if you are interested - everything covered here and much more on that page).
This blog walks through the most common questions we hear about CK Maceworks steel maces and clubs, how they’re designed, how they’re meant to be used, and what actually matters when you’re choosing your setup.
(You’ll find the video version at the top of this page if you want to watch instead.)
Loading Pins: Lengths, Capacity, and When to Use Each
One of the most common questions we get is about loading pins — specifically how many options we offer and why.
We currently offer three loading pin lengths:
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6 inch Standard Pin
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8 inch Extended Pin
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10 inch XL Extended Pin
The standard 6 inch pin is what we recommend for most people starting out. With typical one inch plates, you can comfortably load around 40–45 pounds using 5 lb plates, which is plenty challenging for beginners and intermediate users. With thinner 10 lb plates, you can get closer to 60 pounds.
The 8 inch extended pin allows for larger stacks — whether that’s more 5 lb plates, 2.5 lb plates, or thinner 10s. With standard plates, this pin can usually reach around 90 pounds, depending on plate thickness.
The 10 inch XL pin is for those who want maximum loading flexibility. With thinner plates, it’s possible to exceed 100 pounds, though exact totals vary because one inch plates are not precision calibrated.
If you’re just getting started, the standard pin keeps things simple, efficient, and faster to load. The longer pins are best reserved for advanced loading needs.
Handle Weights: What the Handles Actually Weigh
Another frequent question is how much the handles weigh by themselves.
The short answer: the handles are lighter than most people expect.
Approximate handle weights:
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42 inch mace handle: ~7 lb
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36 inch mace handle: ~5.5–6 lb
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Cadi Club handle (24 inch): ~4 lb
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Shorty Club handle (18 inch): ~3 lb
The steel pipe itself isn’t especially heavy — most of the load comes from the plates you add. That said, the handle weight still counts.
If you track your training or care about knowing what you’re actually swinging, we recommend weighing the entire setup — handle, pin, and plates — on a basic bathroom scale. You’d be surprised how often people forget to account for the handle and end up underestimating their working weight by several pounds.
Should You Weigh the Whole Mace or Club?
Yes. Always.
The load is the entire system, not just the plates. Between the handle and the loading pin, you can easily be missing close to 10 pounds if you only count plate weight.
If you’re logging training, tracking progress, or comparing loads over time, weighing the full setup gives you accurate data and avoids guesswork.
Does the Loading Pin Thread All the Way Into the Handle?
Yes. Every pin is designed to thread fully into the handle, and that’s how we ship them.
We use a thread style chosen specifically for security and tightness, not speed. Some faster thread styles (like the wide threads used on cheap dumbbell handles) are great for quick changes — but terrible at staying tight. Anyone who has used those knows how easily they loosen.
When you’re swinging a mace or club, the last thing you want is a pin or collar backing out mid swing.
That’s why we prioritize a tight, secure connection over rapid loading. It means threading takes a little longer, especially on the longer pins — which is another reason we suggest the standard pin for beginners.
Why We Don’t Optimize for Drop Sets
We occasionally get questions about doing drop sets or rapid weight changes with a mace.
You can do it — but it’s not what this tool is built for.
Mace and club training are best used intentionally. For most people, they work best at the end of a session, when you’re already fatigued and want the tool to take whatever you have left.
Programming around that reality — instead of fighting it — makes training smoother and safer.
What Plates Should You Buy?
You don’t need anything fancy.
All of our maces and clubs use standard one inch plates.
If you like buying new, Amazon is an easy option. CAP brand plates are affordable and relatively thin, which helps with stacking.
That said, we strongly recommend checking Facebook Marketplace or local classifieds. Used plates are everywhere, often extremely cheap, and work perfectly fine for mace and club training.
Older plates sometimes have slightly oversized center holes. That’s not an issue. As long as everything is tightened down, the plate won’t shift during use.
One thing to watch for: older plates with raised hubs or flanges can sometimes stack unevenly. When loading these, make sure everything is fully seated and retightened after the first few reps.
Club Lengths: Cadi Club vs Shorty
We offer two primary club handle lengths:
Cadi Club (24 inch handle)
This is closer to a traditional bulava-style club. It’s short enough for single arm work, but long enough to allow heavy two handed training. It offers a great balance of control, leverage, and versatility.
Shorty Club (18 inch handle)
The Shorty is more in line with what most people think of as a traditional fixed weight club — but with adjustable loading. Because the weight sits farther from the hands, even moderate loads feel significantly heavier than many fixed clubs.
A 35 lb load on the Shorty or Cadi Club will often feel much heavier than a so-called 50 lb fixed club where the weight is distributed closer to the grip.
That distance from the hands — the lever arm — is the entire point.
Why Weight Placement Matters More Than Total Weight
With mace and club training, where the weight sits matters more than how heavy it is.
Fixed clubs often distribute weight along the shaft and add large pommels near the grip. That shortens the lever and reduces torque.
Our designs place the load farther away from the hands, increasing torque, demand on the grip, shoulders, and trunk, and delivering more training effect with less total weight.
That’s what builds control, resilience, and real-world strength.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re unsure what to start with, what pin length makes sense, or how to set up your first mace or club, reach out.
We answer questions every day — and if enough people ask the same thing, it usually turns into another video or blog.
Drop a comment, send a message, or check out the FAQ video above.