The 5 Best Pickaxes 2023 Review

Top 5 Pickaxes

Best Grip: Hooyman Pick Mattock With Heavy-Duty Forged Construction Most Customizable: Truper 31614 Pick Mattock Most Versatile: TABOR TOOLS Pick Mattock With Fiberglass Handle Best for Digging: FITOOL Forged Adze Pick Most Heavy-Duty: Nupla Pick Mattock

Key Features

36-inch fiberglass handle with rubberized grip 5-pound head Handle is epoxy sealed to the head

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said this pick is well-built, making it durable enough to perform heavy-duty tasks, like digging up compact soil or pulling up roots. Some customers said they liked how heavy the pickaxe was because it helped them break up soil, while others said it was too heavy for them to handle.

Key Features

36-inch wood handle or fiberglass handle with rubberized grip 2.5- or 5-pound head Good for picking and cutting

What Customers Are Saying

They praised this well-balanced pick and liked how the handle was light and the head was heavy, allowing them to break through soil without any trouble. However, some customers said that they received a used tool, as if the company had shipped them a tool that a previous customer had returned.

Key Features

15-inch or 35-inch fiberglass handle with rubberized grip 1-pound head and handle Good for breaking, loosening, cutting, cultivating, and picking

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said this tool was great for smaller projects, like getting on your hands and knees to prepare a flower bed. However, several customers had issues with the head sliding down the handle.

Key Features

15-inch fiberglass handle with rubberized grip 1.4-pound head and handle Good for rooting, weeding, and breaking up soil

What Customers Are Saying

Customers used this product for a wide range of gardening tasks, most of which were related to digging. However, some customers were missing the piece that secured the head to the handle and experienced the head sliding down the pick during use.

Key Features

36-inch fiberglass handle 5-pound head Best for breaking up thick soil

What Customers Are Saying

Several customers commented on how this tool did a great job of pulling out roots and breaking up compact soil. However, some customers had issues with delivery, with one customer only receiving the handle and not receiving the head.

Buying Guide

Before buying a pickaxe, compare important factors like weight, handle length, and handle material.

Weight

Pickaxes are usually advertised based on the weight of the blade. Common pickaxe weights are two pounds and five pounds. Five-pound pickaxes will be more difficult to swing, but the force created will be greater than that of a two-pound pickaxe. Note: a pickaxe handle will add a few more pounds to the entire weight of the tool.

Handle length

Depending on what you’re using your pickaxe for, you’ll likely purchase a two-handed or one-handed model. Two-handed pickaxes are 34 to 36 inches long and are best for heavy-duty tasks like breaking up soil. You can use a two-handed pickaxe by standing up and swinging it over your head and down into the ground. One-handed pickaxes are 16 inches long and are great for digging small holes or pulling out rocks from the soil while on your hands and knees.

Handle material

Pickaxe handles are typically made out of hardwood or fiberglass. Historically, pickaxe handles made out of hardwood could be sanded down to create a custom grip. However, wood handles are susceptible to expansion and contraction during weather changes and can rot or splinter. Fiberglass handles require little to no maintenance because they aren’t susceptible to expansion, contraction, rot, or splinter. A common feature of fiberglass handles is a rubber grip to prevent slipping. However, fiberglass handles can become brittle if exposed to too much sunlight, which limits where you can store them.

What is the difference between a pickaxe and a mattock?

The terms pickaxe and mattock are used interchangeably, which is why we included both in this review, but they’re technically two separate tools. A mattock has a broad blade on one end of the head and a pick or axe on the other, which makes it good for digging, prying, and chopping. A pickaxe has a pick on one side and a chisel on the other, making it good for prying.

What are some common uses for a pickaxe?

Pickaxes are commonly used in landscaping and farming. If you’re trying to break up matted soil or dig a hole for a new plant, a pickaxe may be a good tool to use.

How should I clean my pickaxe?

Here’s a step-by-step process to follow after using your tool:

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