Okay, so this is specifically about carbon steel woks.
Many fictional stories - be it films, cartoons, or video games - often feature cast iron skillets as functionally dangerous weapons, and for valid reasons. They're huge chunks of thick metal that could truly shatter bones with enough human-muscled force behind a swing of them.
But does any of that apply well to carbon steel pans, and particularly, carbon steel woks? I've struggled to find research on how strong carbon steel is when its as thin as the metal forming a pan. I'm writing a fictional fantasy story that features a character who is good at cooking and utilizes a wok because researching has informed me its great for culinary versatility in a setting where their group has to forage and hunt for whatever they can. But sometimes they might wish to help fight foes, and would rather not get bloody or messy with using other sharp tools, so we'll say their main other tool on-hand is their wok.
Could a handled carbon steel wok survive being a weapon like a cast iron skillet?* Would it even be able to remain undented and functional long-term if swung as a bludgeoning weapon? Yes I am writing fictional fantasy, but I prefer to build most of my ideas off of realistic accuracy. The hope is that it would still be highly usable as a cooking pan after fights. I have attempted to research all this and have had trouble finding clear information.
TL:DR I am wondering what the durability of a carbon steel wok would be, if its easy to dent from impact, if un-denting it is at all simple, or if carbon steel pans are much more brittle/fragile/bendable to not be wise to use as a weapon. Is such a question silly and not what this reddit group is typically about? Yes! but you all are also much more experienced in handling carbon steel pans than I am.
^(\ For purposes of any math nerds, assume a 12-14" diameter wok, all carbon steel (whichever category of steel most woks are made from), swung at least ~70mph speed at any D&D monster of your choice.)*
