The Skyforge Steel War Axe looks just like a normal steel war axe, but Eorlund’s forge gives it a real edge. It deals 12 base damage, the same as an Elven War Axe, while weighing only 12, so power attacks cost less stamina.
It’s one of the perks of joining the Companions: an early weapon that punches above steel’s place in the material tiers. Eorlund himself calls it light, strong and useful, and he’s rarely wrong about metal. Steel Armor completes the look.
Stats
| Type | War Axe |
|---|---|
| Skill | One-handed |
| Material | Skyforge Steel |
| Damage | 12 |
| Weight | 12 |
| Value | 80 gold |
| Speed | 0.9 |
| Reach | 1 |
| Stagger | 0.85 |
| Critical damage | 7 |
| Add-on | Base game |
| Item ID | 0009F260 |
Where to find
- Eorlund Gray-Mane at the Skyforge in Whiterun is the only merchant who sells it.
- After the Companions initiation you can simply ask him for one for free.
Crafting and upgrading
This weapon cannot be crafted at a forge – you have to find, loot or buy it.
Improving at a grindstone: 1 × 
Steel Ingot. The Arcane Blacksmith perk doubles the improvement.
Compared with other war axes
Base stats of all regular (unenchanted) war axes in Skyrim, weakest first:
| Weapon | Damage | Weight | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron War Axe | 8 | 11 | 30 |
| Ancient Nord War Axe | 9 | 14 | 15 |
| Steel War Axe | 9 | 12 | 55 |
| Orcish War Axe | 10 | 13 | 90 |
| Dawnguard War Axe | 11 | 13 | 55 |
| Dwarven War Axe | 11 | 14 | 165 |
| Falmer War Axe | 11 | 21 | 82 |
| Forsworn Axe | 11 | 15 | 90 |
| Elven War Axe | 12 | 15 | 280 |
| Honed Draugr War Axe | 12 | 16 | 27 |
| Nord Hero War Axe | 12 | 11 | 165 |
| Nordic War Axe | 12 | 14 | 350 |
| Skyforge Steel War Axe | 12 | 12 | 80 |
| Glass War Axe | 13 | 16 | 490 |
| Honed Falmer War Axe | 13 | 21 | 245 |
| Daedric War Axe | 15 | 18 | 1500 |
| Ebony War Axe | 15 | 17 | 865 |
| Stalhrim War Axe | 15 | 16 | 1180 |
| Dragonbone War Axe | 16 | 21 | 1700 |
Tips and notes
- It cannot be crafted, but a steel ingot improves it at a grindstone, and Steel Smithing doubles the improvement.
- Light and hard-hitting, it’s a great early pick for dual-wielders or a sword-and-board build.
Stats from the Skyrim LE 1.9 master files (Skyrim.esm, record SkyforgeSteelWarAxe). Values are base values before perks, smithing improvements and enchantments.
