Hey guys, Dan here from Dangerously Fit.
In this week’s video, I’m going to talk about the Bulava vs the Steel Mace.
One of the questions I get a fair bit is…
“What’s the difference, and which one should you choose?”
The Bulava is essentially a short steel mace, but the way you use it can be quite different.
The steel mace is great for two-handed movements over the shoulder and hand-to-hand transitions, where you move the mace head from one side to the other.
You can do single-arm movements, but because of that longer handle, it really shines with smooth, two-handed swings like the 360 and 10-to-2.
The Bulava, on the other hand, is extremely versatile. It’s long enough for two-handed work, but not too long for single-arm movements, doubles and below the waist lateral swings.
For that reason, even though it looks very similar to a steel mace, I actually use it more like a club.
The Bulava and Mace have very similar training effects… both build grip strength, shoulder stability, and rotational power – but the way they move and feel is quite different.
The steel mace has a longer arc because of the longer lever, which gives it that smooth, balanced swing.
It’s fantastic for big, flowing two-handed swinging movements over the shoulder.
The Bulava, being shorter, doesn’t move quite as smoothly in those long arcs.. but it excels in tight, controlled movements and it moves round the body fast!
Personally, I like to use it for below-the-waist lateral swinging patterns.
You can’t really do those with a mace unless you choke up on the handle, and even then, you risk hitting the floor or whacking yourself on the toes.
And if you do choke up, you’re left with 6–12 inches of handle sticking out above your hands, which tends to get in the way and can hit you in the head during shoulder movements.
That’s where the Bulava really shines, it’s compact enough for lateral work and below-the-waist movements without anything getting in the way.
Because all of the load sits right at the end of the handle, the Bulava generates a heap of torque… more than you’d get from a club where the weight is more evenly distributed.
Ours also have a thicker 40mm handle, which really challenges your grip, especially during single-arm swings.
If you want to build a powerful grip, stronger wrists, and better control through those rotational patterns, definitely think about adding Bulava training into your workouts. It’s a fantastic bridge between club and mace training.
Which Should You Choose?
So getting back to the original question… the Bulava versus the Mace, which one should you choose?
Personally, I think if you have the means to get both, do it.
Use the steel mace for your two-handed movements, and use the Bulava for your single-arm movements and doubles if you’re training with two.
If you have to choose between one or the other, it really depends on your goals.
Do you want to focus on two-handed movements, or do you prefer single-arm training?
A lot of it comes down to personal preference, there’s no right or wrong here.
If I had to pick just one, I’d probably go with the steel mace.
Mainly because I already do a lot of club training with steel clubs, so I’d use the mace for two-handed work and the steel clubs for my club-style movements.
But the Bulava is a fantastic training tool that bridges the gap between the two, its versatile enough to give you the benefits of both mace and club training in one piece of equipment.
