Page 1 of 1

Mace protection

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:56 pm
by tooweird
I know there are plastic protectors for military batons...do companies make dome protectors for maces? if not...how should my drum majors protect their maces while practicing?

Re: Mace protection

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:23 am
by mikekimchi
I'm no mace expert, so I don't know if there is something similar for that equipment. When it comes to the military dome protectors, I would say don't use them. They change the weight and weight distribution quite a bit, making a very noticeable difference, especially for moves that really require that balance point to be right on (e.g, palm spins). I'm sure if something similar exists for the mace, it probably wouldn't make as much of a weight distribution difference since it's longer, but I still wouldn't recommend it.

Maybe have an extra dome for performances if it's easy to replace on the spot, like I believe the Peacock Americans are.

Re: Mace protection

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:37 am
by tooweird
Thanks for the input. Hoping to hear from more people.

I have seen drum majors have another mace to practice with at comps and well that's a bit pricy at times. As for the weight being a factor...you're right it might but maybe not as much for the mace...

The Peacock American domes are very easy to replace but again it's very costly...hoping to find a good way to protect the domes while practicing.

Re: Mace protection

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:00 am
by Abel11673
Never seen a protector for a mace, but I agree with Mike. Your best bet is to buy a couple mace domes. One or two for practice and the other for performances. And it's a lot cheaper then buying a new mace.

Re: Mace protection

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:38 am
by Oldmaceguy
From the Old School......
Find a rubber ball that has the same rough dimensions as the mace dome, cut it in half, punch a small hole in the top and and there you go; TWO dome protectors!
That said......practicing with a protector is a bad idea. You get used to seeing a protected mace spinning around and when you remove it for a performance you start worrying about dropping and damaging it, changing your focus to "DON'T DROP IT!!!" instead of "LAND IT." Causes major choking in a toss and you WILL fumble it. I used to make students practice on asphalt and wear a shako. No grass on parade routes, y'know.
Back in "The Day", we used Premiers with that %$#@! Maltese Cross on the crown tip; it wasn't uncommon to turn it upside down and bang it on the ground to break it off. Why? Because now I don't have to worry about protecting it!