Spiked War Hammer

Engineered for impact and built with authentic heft, the Spiked War Hammer from Cold Steel brings the brutal elegance of medieval battlefield engineering to modern practitioners and collectors. Designed for Historical European Martial Artists, re-enactors, and serious collectors, this hammer balances piercing power and crushing force in a single, charismatic tool. With a drop forged head, hardened striking points, and a straight grain American Hickory handle, it feels like a weapon meant for the hand of someone who understands how armor meets force.

A short history of the war hammer

The war hammer rose to prominence alongside the full suits of plate armour used in late medieval Europe. Face plates and mail resisted cutting edges, so fighters turned to tools that delivered concussive force. A heavy head could crush plate and bones, while the spike concentrated force to pierce joints and seams. The design evolved into a compact, highly effective weapon that could be wielded with one hand or two depending on the situation. Today the war hammer remains a staple for period combat practitioners and living history demonstrations because it so perfectly embodies the principle of adapting weapon form to defensive technology.

Construction and features

Cold Steel’s Spiked War Hammer is made to perform. The head is drop forged from 1055 carbon steel and differentially heat treated so the spike and hammer face are fully hardened for piercing and crushing. The remainder of the head is forged to a slightly softer temper to absorb shock and resist catastrophic failure. The handle is thirty inches of straight grain American Hickory for predictable flex and long term durability. A pair of steel langettes reinforces the head-to-handle junction for dependable service in heavy use. Overall the package delivers a historically faithful profile with modern consistency in materials and heat treatment that serious users will appreciate.