The pickaxe is an extremely useful tool when it comes to cultivating hard soil and stony subsoil. The device also provides every gardener with practical services as a root hoe and for removing tree stumps. In this article, we will introduce you to recommended products and give you tips on how to buy them.
The pickaxe is the best choice, especially for hard soil
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Fiskars forged pickaxe, length 90 cm, weight 3.2 kg, forged steel head/glass fiber reinforced plastic handle, black/orange, 250, 1002208
EUR 66.70 To the product| Material / tool head | carbon steel |
|---|---|
| Material / handle and handle | fiberglass reinforced plastic |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| stem length | 90 cm |
| Handle and head separable | Yes |
| anti-slip coating | present |
| benefits | easy assembly of handle and head |
This pickaxe from the brand manufacturer Fiskars consists of a ground, wide tool side and a sharpened, pointed tool side, which are ideal for working on hard, stony soil and for cutting through root strands. With a weight of 3.2 kilograms, the tool is particularly heavy in order to give it a special penetrating power.
So that working with the Fiskars tool hoe does not put too much strain on the joints, the special anti-vibration and anti-slip handle made of fiberglass ensures a firm hold and cushioning of impacts. Tool head and handle are supplied separately, but are easy to assemble: simply push the oval-shaped head onto the handle and then tap firmly on a surface several times.
our recommendation
Ribimex PROJTPI15 Pickaxe, 1.5 kg, 91 cm, Black/Red, 0.123x0.123x0.123 cm
27.19 EUR To the product| Material / tool head | steel |
|---|---|
| Material / handle and handle | fiberglass reinforced plastic |
| Weight | 1.5kg |
| stem length | 91 cm |
| Handle and head separable | Yes |
| anti-slip coating | yes, rubber grip |
| benefits | light weight |
With this product, users particularly praise the low weight compared to other pickaxes. After all, not every gardener is a strong muscle man who can smash every rock with a swing of a 3-kilogram pickaxe. This lighter model doesn't tire muscles as quickly and allows you to work for longer - for example, to loosen hard garden soil, clear fallow land and create new beds.
Here, too, the handle and tool head are separate and can be connected to one another simply by pushing them on and tapping them lightly. However, watch out for any sharp burrs on the handle, which you should first grind off before attaching - otherwise the connection between the two components will suffer.
our recommendation
Ideal spade 38031503 Promotional pickaxe 1.5 kg, sleeve, socket handle 93 cm
31.53 EUR To the product| Material / tool head | special steel |
|---|---|
| Material / handle and handle | wood (beech) |
| Weight | 1.5kg |
| stem length | 93 cm |
| Handle and head separable | Yes |
| anti-slip coating | no |
| advantage | Supplied sleeve for handle protection |
Anyone who prefers models with a classic wooden handle for their garden tools and tools is well advised to choose this inexpensive pickaxe from Idealspaten. According to the manufacturer, the stable tool head is made of special steel, which is both hard and elastic and thus meets the special requirements of this tool.
According to the manufacturer, the robust wooden handle is made of hard beech wood, although Amazon customers report that it is actually ash. Otherwise, the majority of reviewers are full of praise, because the light pickaxe feels good in the hand and is robustly made.
Purchase Criteria
material
Every pickaxe consists of two parts, the tool head and the handle. The head is made of steel on all models, although there are differences between the different manufacturers when it comes to the type of steel used. Carbon steel, for example, is a very fine-grained material that allows for particularly sharp blades - but is also harder and more easily broken. Special or stainless steel, on the other hand, is less sharp, but more elastic and therefore more robust.
stalk
You can choose between plastic and wooden handles. Plastic models are easier to hold because wood is naturally heavier. However, wood is cheaper than fiberglass handles and easier to replace if necessary - all you have to do is buy a new handle and mount the tool head on it. Be sure to use hardwood handles such as beech or ash, as these are much more robust and therefore more durable.
anti-slip coating
Plastic handles (e.g. made of fiberglass) have the advantage over wooden handles that they have a practical anti-slip coating and are therefore easier to grip. In addition, these materials absorb vibrations and shocks better, so that joints and back are less stressed. An ergonomic shape also contributes to better handling of the tool - not unimportant for a device with which you want to work hard floors and therefore need every relief of this heavy work.
Stem Length and Assembly
Most pickaxes are supplied with a matching handle, although you usually have to connect the two components yourself. However, this is usually not a problem, as all you have to do is put the head and handle together and tap the end of the handle several times on a hard surface. But be careful: Some handles still have sharp burrs or other bumps from the manufacturing process that must first be removed. The ideal length of the tool handle is around 90 centimeters or a little more if you are taller than 180 centimeters yourself.
processing
Especially with heavy-duty tools such as the pickaxe, it is not just the material that counts, but also how it is processed. So that the device does not break down the first time you use it, we recommend forged tool heads instead of cast ones - experience has shown that these have proven to be more robust and therefore more durable. A well-made tool is also ready for use upon delivery and does not have to be deburred or smoothed first.
Weight
Good pickaxes weigh between 1.5 and 3.2 kilograms. Which weight you choose depends, among other things, on what you want to process with the device and who is using it. Heavy heels have the advantage that they develop more momentum and therefore have a higher impact power - but you also need much more strength to use them. Lighter pickaxes are easier to handle, but you have to develop more power yourself.
frequently asked Questions
What is a pickaxe?
The pickaxe is a 2-in-1 garden tool, the head of which has two different sides. On one is a pickaxe ("pickaxe"), on the other a broad cutting edge. That is why the device is also known as a flat cross, flat pick or cross pickaxe. In southern Germany and Austria, the pickaxe is also known under the name "Krampen".
What can you do with a pickaxe?
Pickaxes are ideal for cultivating hard, frozen, dry and/or stony soil, and they are also good for cutting through roots that are in the ground. Use the pointed side to open and loosen, the broad side to push the loosened material aside and to reduce it. The device is only not suitable for levering - for example when removing tree stumps.
Which manufacturers produce pickaxes?
Since the pickaxe is a very common tool, you can find corresponding models from almost all garden tool and tool manufacturers. Proven brands such as Fiskars, Spear & Jackson, Silverline, SHW Friedrichstal or Connex are given special mention here.
Where to buy cross chop?
You can purchase the right pickaxe both on the Internet and in stationary stores. While you will find a large selection in the shops of the large Internet department stores as well as the well-known garden and hardware stores and can compare quality and prices at your leisure, the devices can be checked in the stationary trade. Quality features such as workmanship and weight are easier to check there.
How much does a pickaxe cost?
Depending on the material, workmanship and quality, a pickaxe costs between around 20 and up to around 70 euros. Basically, high-quality devices made of plastic are more expensive than, for example, models with a wooden handle. Don't just choose based on the price, as a particularly cheap device often breaks quickly and you then buy twice.
Are hoopoe and pickaxe the same thing?
The hoopoe hoe or pick is also a 2-in-1 device, but different tools are used here. While the pickaxe has a pickaxe and a broadaxe, the hoopoe has a broad side and an axe. Both devices can be used for similar purposes, but you can also lever out tree stumps with the hoopoe pick.
equipment
replacement handle
our recommendation
Silverline WH60 Cross and Pickaxe Handle 900mm
15.09 EUR To the productIf you prefer pickaxes with a wooden handle, you should always have a spare handle on hand just in case. When buying, make sure whether you need a handle with a large or small eye so that the tool head fits. Ring and/or S-Fix wedges are also useful for secure attachment.