Crossword Genius

Sailor twice produces battle-axe (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tartar

'battle-axe' is the definition.
(a harsh, fierce person)

'sailor twice' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'tar' (tar is a kind of sailor).
'twice' shows that letters should be duplicated.
'tar' duplicated is 'TARTAR'.

'produces' is the link.

(Other definitions for tartar that I've seen before include "Fearsome person: kind of sauce" , "saucy stuff" , "Formidable person" , "A sauce to go with fish" , "Crust on teeth or wine deposit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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