I’m seeing a lot of variance in the ratios. Some flails have longer handles, some have short. Some have chains as long or longer than the handle, some have almost non-existent chains. What are the advantages and disadvantages of various handle and chain lengths, and is there an “optimal” ratio?
This.
The mace is your back up to the back up to the primary.
Primary weapon is going to be a pole axe or a pole arm or some other kind of pole weapon. The sword is your back up to this for when fighting closes quarters. And, in the case that a sword breaks or otherwise becomes unusable, then you reach back and grab that big stick of iron.
The axe is mightier than the sword. Easier to handle too.
But with much smaller cutting surface. And I’m counting a dane axe as a pole weapon.
Yeah, less danger of cutting yourself short of the handle. Also, easier to block a sword with it.
But in a martial context, the simply didn’t experience wide spread adoption.
Ranged weapons > pole weapons > sword and shield > whatever else you’ve got
The Vikings were retty successful with it. Swords on the other hand, were mainly used by high ranking individuals, since they require a lot of training. Pike was king.
Vikings used swords, along with axes.