Pick Mattocks

Pick mattocks help you tackle hard ground, loosen compacted soil and work around embedded rocks on the farm or around the yard. With a pointed pick on one side of the head and a broad, horizontal adze blade on the other, a pick mattock gives you two ways to break up stubborn ground. The pointed end concentrates each strike into a smaller area, while the adze end helps chop into soil and pull loosened dirt aside. That combination makes this digging tool handy for starting planting holes, opening shallow trenches and breaking up packed earth where a shovel alone struggles to get a bite. For fence-line maintenance, garden preparation and other digging jobs, a pick mattock can help with the ground-breaking work before you switch to a shovel to clear out the loose material. Work in small sections rather than trying to move a large patch of earth with every swing. Choosing a pick mattock starts with matching the tool’s weight and handle length to your strength, reach and workload. A heavier mattock head can add force to a strike, but it also takes more effort to lift and control through a long stretch of digging. A lighter tool may be easier to manage for smaller jobs or more deliberate swings. Look for a grip that feels secure and enough working room to swing without reaching awkwardly or losing your balance. Before tackling compacted soil or rocky ground, check that the head is firmly attached and inspect the handle for damage. Wear eye protection, gloves and sturdy boots, and keep other people and animals well outside your swing area. Call 811 before digging to have underground utilities marked, and follow local guidance around marked lines. Controlled swings, steady footing and regular breaks help you put a pick mattock to work without taking on more than you can safely handle.