Is The Rogue Mace Worth It?
In the past decade, the supply & demand for steel maces has fluctuated greatly. In 2014, Onnit was the “go to” company when I was looking for steel maces online, and Kabuki Strength’s ShouldeRök was the most known loadable mace. Bigger companies like Amazon and Rogue did not even sell maces until post 2020; as it became a popular home workout tool during the pandemic. Today, Onnit has ditched their fitness equipment line (being bought out by Johnson & Johnson), and now focus on supplements. Kabuki Strength imploded: having horrible customer service, not fulfilling orders, and is no longer in business. Amazon now offers multiple brands of affordable steel maces with their competitive prime shipping rates, and Rogue Fitness capitalized releasing their version of a loadable mace with this market shift.
Rogue needs no introduction in the fitness industry creating quality USA made products for decades. Their catalog of innovative products has grown beyond barbell equipment, and become the gold standard in home gym equipment with their precision laser cut aesthetics. How do I know? I’ve been buying from them since I’ve been into steel maces since 2014, and have had zero issues with anything Rogue branded. So when Rogue announced their own Loadable Mace was dropping in 2024 — I was instantly curious, and bought one. This release meant maces are hitting new heights in popularity.
However, I will fully admit I’m bias toward the category of “loadable maces” in the recent years because most contradict the simple fact that a mace is supposed to be a asymmetrically loaded tool. Most need a thicker handle to secure a barbell sleeve for smaller 5-10LB weight plates, and then a durable collar to secure the weight. In contrast, a fixed weighted 25LB steel mace and a 25LB loadable mace will feel vastly different because of the weight distribution, and handle length.
So with all this in perspective, is the Rogue Mace worth the money?
Suggestions For The Right Size:
As a important note for this review I bought the 15LB “Solid Stainless Steel” Rogue Mace (M15R) — out of the two sizes they had available at the time in 2024. They now offer two new lighter maces with a “Hollow Stainless Steel” handle as stated here in their description off their website:
“The Rogue Mace is fully machined and assembled in the Rogue factory in Columbus, Ohio. The shaft for the 15LB and 20LB versions start with solid stainless steel that is machined down and knurled into a 32MM diameter shaft. The 33.5MM hollow shaft on the lighter 10LB and 12.5LB maces are machined to spec and each feature an ideal knurl that is light enough not to tear your hands, but has enough "stick" to provide optimal grip. The pommel at the end of the shaft is machined from a solid billet of stainless steel, further enhancing the quality and feel of the mace. The sleeve of the mace is precision machined to tolerances that leave minimal end float, providing a secure and smooth rotation.”
If I were to pick again, I would’ve much rather have gotten the M12.5R because of the 45inch hollow shaft, and thus increase the weight distribution to the loaded barbell sleeve. With that said, the M20R (20LB) would overkill most’s beginner’s elbows, and I would advise not even considering that weight with experience, and is why I originally choose the 15LB at shorter length of 31inches. So a major positive Rogue added these two lighter “hollow”options, but would advise they just take out the 20LB Solid Stainless Steel. As a coach, the average beginner needs only 10-15LB steel mace, and going anywhere near 20-30LBS will stop you dead in your tracks movement wise.
The Look & Feel:
When getting anything Rogue delivered to your door, there is an excitement and absolute high when pulling out a brand new piece of equipment right out the box, and admiring it’s sheer machined steel beauty. This (M15R) Rogue Mace did not disappoint on that aspect with it’s solid stainless steel handle, and knurling. Then the matte black sleeve was incredibly dense, and well made. The second I held this thing, I had zero insecurities if this thing would ever break, and could be used for a zombie apocalypse in the future. Specifically on the sleeve, Rogue claims:
“The matte black sleeve used on the Rogue Mace uses a new process that effectively transforms the surface of the steel rather than coating it. This greatly improves the sleeves’ corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance. Proprietary matte black sleeves will typically maintain their appearance much longer than traditional sleeve finishes, even through regular everyday use.”
Typical barbell sleeves are meant for very straight forward and linear movement patterns, and while this Rogue Loadable Mace looks like a barbell cut in half — they added a stronger coating to this sleeve since there more application to swing this in a 360 degree motions. Rogue really out did themselves with this small, but major detail I’ve never seen with other loadable maces.
The X-Factor: Bushing During 360s:
In the past, I’ve reviewed other overrated loadable maces, like the retired Kabuki ShouldeRök. It was incredibly unsafe to use for 360s because it had a screw on nut, and 2.5inches of threaded loading space. Every time I swung it, the nut became loose from the centrifugal force of the 360, and I never returned a piece of equipment so fast in my life (no surprise they’re no longer in production). Rogue must’ve took notice of the ShouldeRök’s red flags, and made theirs with 7.5inches of loading space (that’s 3x more in case you’re reading this Chris Duffin). To fully secure the weight plates, Rogue implements their branded 2.0 OSO Barbell Collar that has a rubberized interior to increase surface friction against to the sleeve.
Finally, the Rogue Mace has a bushing design to allow for the loaded weight to rotate freely, and provides a more balanced feel throughout the rotation when swinging the mace. Meaning after each 360, and slightly pausing as its vertically stacked, the momentum of the circular force will go the bushing, and thus rotate the sleeve as the stainless handle remains torque free. This is something I’ve never experienced when swinging any other mace because that rotating sleeve will make you want to slow down, or else it’ll turn into a little tornado. This is actually a good thing because I teach many “The Four P’s” of the steel mace 360 swing: Push, Pendulum, Pull, and Pause. The pause is important so your shoulders can reset and retract back down utilizing the lats (the big muscle wings of the back), and not cause shoulder impingement. I go more in detail with this Rogue Mace Beginner Workout video:
Conclusion:
The Rogue Mace is a innovative tool one should add to their fitness equipment arsenal. This is the first loadable mace out of the dozens I tried I will actually refer. While it may be a dealbreaker for some that the median price for this is $200+ — I firmly believe it is worth it because it will last for a very long time with it’s heavy duty steel construction. When buying any new piece of equipment “buy nice, or buy twice” is the code. Rogue truly out did themselves with every detail of this mace being absolutely flawless.
