Nail Gada 40kg
Indian Clubs World Tour 2014. The amazing Nail Gada.
Narsingh Vyayamshala, Scindia Ghat, Varanasi
This Akhara is located close to Scindia Ghat on the river Ganges. The locals refer to the river as Mother Ganga which is just minutes away down a staircase.
I am going to focus on individual items and would like to introduce you to a Gada Mace, the likes of which I have never imagined nor seen before.
NAIL GADA 40kg
The NAIL GADA 40kg, this gada is locally hand made, the outside shell is made of metal, with massive sharpened and bent nails protruding 1” to 1.5” inches all the way around the exterior.
And yes I wasn’t joking some of the NAILS have been SHARPENED and bent at angles just to heighten the potential skin ripping, who would want to self inflict a clean-cut?
Filled with Lead
I suspect the inside of the head of the Nail Gada 40kg is filled with lead, as mentally compared to a 40kg competition kettlebell it was smaller in size, and lead would be the only thing I can think of that would create a 40kg mace head. The handle is made from a metal water pipe or something similar.
Just Pause and Imagine
Everyone who has swung a Gada Mace would have at some stage felt the smooth surface of the head, brush past our calves during a swing.
Just pause and imagine repeating that action with the Nail Gada 40kg brandishing it’s bent sharpened nails as it flies past your calves. Remember the 40kg weight of this monster.
Health and Safety points to consider
The Pahlawan pictured holding the Nail Gada 40kg considers it safer than the Nail Jori Clubs, he reasoned that the clubs can rip the skin on both your chest and calves, whereas the Nail Gada will only rip your calves. Definitely, a safer piece of kit, I reckon.
Harbert Egberts gave it a try. Who’s next?
Harbert swings the Nail Gada in March 2021. Narsingh Vyayamshala, Scindia Ghat, Varanasi
To think, I am being wimping using my Gada made from a rubber basketball filled with concrete. Will stay with and let the manly men work with the nails.
Keep up the great reports.
Stay safe!
Thanks Russ, there will be plenty more, I have just seen a pair of Jori Clubs made from metal, that weigh in at 50kgs each. I’ll post pics soon.
I love the Mace, I really, really love the Mace,but there’s no way I’m going to try that!
The Pahalevan in the picture visibly winced when he was describing the injuries the Nail Jori could inflict. It’s not for everyone.
I think that’s weighting the punishment side of the reward/punishment system a little too far :).
I couldn’t agree more Wayne, but at the same time I find myself completely fascinated by the culture of the Akhara.
I don’t see any sort of end cap on the nail gada but it looks like the one next to it may have an end cap. Do you think an end cap is a good idea?
The pipe looks to be trade size 3/4 inch(1 1/8 out side diameter), Am I correct?
Hi Dale, They use wood wedges to secure the mace head to the shaft/handle. The handles seem to vary from 1″ to about 1.5″ inches.