EXPLAINED: Item keyword vs description

[Dimmu]

exam whip

It is a firedrop-handled bullwhip.
It is a flail.
It is in pristine condition.

This weapon seems to think it's one thing, but it's actually another.

Edit. It also does not respond to flail.

[Brocas]

I think this was intentional. All whips, chains and flails were reclassified as flails. I don't think there are many weapons in the game classified as whip or chain.