The pickaxe, also known as a pickaxe, is primarily used for work in the garden and around the house. We have summarized for you here what you need to look out for when buying traditional gardening equipment.
A pickaxe is one of the standard garden tools
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| materials sheet | hardened steel |
|---|---|
| Material handle | fiberglass reinforced plastic |
| handle length | 90 centimeters |
| Weight | 3.2 kilograms |
| extras | vibration reduction |
The Fiskars pickaxe is ideal for working on stony, hard soil or gravel. The hacking side is for chopping and slicing, while the pointed side can even remove stumps and rocks. The head and shaft of this hoe are inseparably connected, so that the head will not suddenly come loose.
The shaft is perfectly balanced for better shot control. The device head is coated with a rust-resistant coating that significantly extends the life of the device. The ergonomic anti-slip handle reduces vibrations, so that joints and muscles hurt less after the work is done.
our recommendation
Micro pick hoe with fiberglass handle (64 to 011)
19.28 EUR To the product| materials sheet | hardened steel |
|---|---|
| Material handle | fiberglass |
| handle length | 38 centimeters |
| Weight | 2.3 kilograms |
| extras | very good value for money |
This inexpensive pickaxe from the manufacturer Roughneck is particularly small, light and handy. It is a versatile multifunctional tool that can be used wherever normal models are simply too big or too unwieldy.
In their reviews, Amazon customers praise the very good price-performance ratio and the robust material, which can be sharpened again with the help of a flex after heavy wear. The fiberglass handle is comfortable to hold and has an anti-slip coating. Compared to wood, the material also offers the advantage that it does not splinter.
our recommendation
Mini pickaxe 500 grams fiberglass handle
14.89 EUR To the product| materials sheet | forged steel |
|---|---|
| Material handle | fiberglass |
| handle length | 35 centimeters |
| Weight | 500 grams |
| extras | good value for money |
This mini pickaxe is highly praised by Amazon customers because of its excellent price-performance ratio, and the handy tool can also be used in a variety of ways in the garden. The special shape of the pickaxe allows it to work on both heavy, stony ground and soft soil.
You can use the device to loosen up stony loamy soil (and then dig up the soil with a spade) as well as work on hard-to-remove rootstocks. The rubberized fiberglass handle fits comfortably in the hand and is also suitable for delicate women's hands, as it does not require much strength to use.
Purchase Criteria
areas of application
Pickaxe choice depends on what you want to work on. In principle, this tool can be used to work both hard and soft soils, so that you can then pick up the soil with a shovel. Pickaxes are also used when building garden paths or making foundations. Even gravel and stones can be processed with this tool. The pointed end loosens hard ground, the flat end pushes loosened ground aside.
size
Pickaxes come in long handles, as well as micro and mini versions with short handles. In the garden, the latter can often be used better, as they are lighter and handier. Large, heavy models, on the other hand, are more suitable for construction sites, although they are now being replaced by machines. For some uses, however, a large pickaxe is recommended if the work (e.g. removing rootstocks) is to be done with care for the garden.
Weight
The pickaxe is a striking tool that requires a certain amount of physical strength to use. So that working with the device is not too difficult for you and your muscles do not tire too quickly, it is advantageous to have the lightest possible weight - such a pickaxe should weigh no more than three kilograms. Then it can also be carried out over a longer period of time without signs of fatigue and aching joints. Mini pickaxes are particularly light.
material
Traditionally, a pickaxe consists of a wooden handle - often beech or ash - and a forged steel head with two ends. Today the head is still made of steel, although it does not always have to be forged. However, forged steel has the advantage of being stronger and more durable than cast iron. Galvanized heads are well protected against rust. The handles are often made of rubberized or non-stick plastic or fiberglass.
execution
Original pickaxes have a pointed and a flat side, both of which should make the smallest possible area. Depending on the size and length of the handle, these tools are intended for one-handed or two-handed use. In particular, the long-handled models with a handle length of up to two meters require the use of both hands. In addition to the traditional flat pickaxe, there are mixed forms on the market, for example a hoe and a hammer.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What forms of pickaxe are there?
Pickaxes come in a variety of sizes and designs. For the garden you need short-handled, handy tools that can be easily operated with one hand and that should be as light as possible. But the forms equipped with a long wooden handle are also practical for tilling the soil, but require more physical strength.
Which are the simplest / most common models?
The most common is a pickaxe model, which is also referred to as a pickaxe or pickaxe. These devices have been used almost unchanged for hundreds of years. These hoes are handy and can be used in many ways. Nowadays, microfiber glass handles are often used instead of wooden ones because they are more robust and less prone to splintering.
Does a pickaxe need to be sharpened?
Since the pickaxe is not a cutting tool, but a striking tool, a sharp blade is not essential for use - especially since the tip wears out very little. Manual sharpening is therefore usually not necessary. You should take good care of the tool and regularly remove adhering dirt.
Which companies offer pickaxes?
Almost all well-known and lesser-known manufacturers of gardening tools have pickaxes on offer. In addition to big brands like Fiskars, Peddinghaus or Ribiland, manufacturers like Ideal, KS Tools, Mercatools, Truper, Alyco or Silverline are also popular. In addition, many specialist shops (e.g. hardware stores) offer inexpensive, good-quality own brands.
How much does a pickaxe cost?
How much you have to spend on a pickaxe depends on various factors. Simple no-name products with a wooden handle are of course cheaper than the high-quality branded product with a microfiber glass handle. Depending on the manufacturer, size and material, a standard pickaxe costs between around 15 and up to more than 100 euros.
What do you need a pickaxe for?
You need a pickaxe for tilling the soil, for example from (longer fallow) garden beds. With this tool, the various layers of soil, including hard ones, can be easily loosened so that instead of digging up a bed, you simply have to hack through it. In addition, handy pickaxes are needed as pickaxes by mountaineers, but other criteria are applied to them.
equipment
spade
our recommendation
Fiskars garden spade for hard, stony ground, pointed, length: 125 cm, high-quality boron steel, grey/black, ergonomic, 1001568
EUR 32.90 To the productAnyone who has to work on heavy, stony soil will benefit from a pointed spade. This can be used to dig up different subsoils. The tool is also suitable for cutting off lawn corners or rootstocks. The ideal addition to the pickaxe for any tillage.
shovel
our recommendation
Fiskars shovel, width 23 cm, length 130 cm, quality steel blade/glass fiber reinforced plastic handle, black/orange, Xact, 1003688
52.59 EUR To the productLoosened soil or other material must then be moved. A robust and stable shovel is suitable for picking up earth, sand, stones etc. Here you have the choice between classic models, but you can also opt for a mixture of spade and shovel.
wheelbarrow
our recommendation
Jusky's Wheelbarrow Garden | 100 liters volume | 210kg | Pneumatic tire with metal rim | tub galvanized | Garden cart wheelbarrow transport cart
74.95 EUR To the productWheelbarrows for the garden must not be too heavy themselves, but must be easy to move. Nevertheless, a high capacity is necessary so that material such as cut and bulk material can be transported away easily. Pneumatic wheels are easier to move than hard rubber variants.