Metal rod for hand-to-hand combat? (5)
I believe the answer is:
poker
I believe this is a double definition.
'metal rod' is the first definition.
'hand-to-hand combat?' is the second definition.
(card game involving various 'hands')
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for poker that I've seen before include "Fire rod; game" , "A game for the fireplace implement" , "Jabber" , "Epitome of stiffness" , "Fire-iron" .)