The dwarves know exactly what they're doing.

[snarp]

"This object is a chestnut splint. It is decorated with well-crafted oak. This object menaces with spikes of finely-crafted prase opal. On the item is a well-designed image of saguaros in emerald."

Comments

[snarp]

It's a splint in the sense that you strap it on a broken arm until it heals. The spikes are thus slightly counterproductive.