Maul - Definition

This article is on the maul, an implement for splitting wood. For the rolling maul tactic in the sport of Rugby union, see the maul section on its page.

A maul (also spelled "mall") is a heavy, long-handled hammer used for splitting a piece of wood along its grain. Traditionally, mauls have a wedge-shaped head, but some modern versions have conical heads or swiveling sub-wedges. The original maul bears some resemblance to an axe, aside from the thickness of the head.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, mauls (as along with many other types of tools) were used by the peasantry when forced into war service. These reinforced mauls were a kind of warhammer, often with metal bandings riveted round the head. Occasionally spikes or wood shards were affixed to either hammer face to cause further injury. By sheer weight these mauls were required to be used two-handed. While not much finesse was involved, a maul could still prove an effective weapon.