The hoopoe pick or hoopoe hoe is a powerful, versatile gardening tool that can even be used to dig up hard, rocky soil and dig up thick roots. Read what else you can use the practical pick for, how to use it correctly and which criteria are important for buying a high-quality model.
The hoopoe facilitates digging up and removing roots
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Hoopoe pick EDGE forged from one piece Hoopoe hook pick hook tree rake with 110 cm ash handle
EUR 39.95 To the product| head | forged from one piece |
|---|---|
| head shape | edgy |
| stalk | ash wood |
| stem length | 110 centimeters |
| Weight | approx. 2.1 kilograms |
This hoopoe pick is popular with many Amazon customers because of its good price-performance ratio, even if the blade sharpness is occasionally criticized. However, the tool can be easily resharpened so that it is sharp again quickly. With a total weight of approx. 2.1 kilograms, the hoopoe hoe is also one of the lighter models on the market, but according to customer reports it is still very suitable for clearing work - even bamboo can be removed with the tool. The advantage here is the very long handle made of hard ash wood, which enables strong leverage. However, the tool head and handle must be assembled by the customer himself.
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Silverline GT45 flat and pickaxe 2,300 g
15.02 EUR To the product| head | made of forged steel |
|---|---|
| head shape | edgy |
| stalk | must be purchased separately |
| stem length | k. A |
| Weight | approx. 2.2 kilograms |
Somewhat heavier is the pickaxe from the manufacturer Silverline, which has also been rated very well by many customers and found to be excellently suited to rough clearing work. The wrought-iron tool head alone weighs approx. 2.2 kilograms, which makes the tool ideal for breaking up hard layers of earth and digging up even thick roots. Unfortunately, only the tool head is supplied with this hoopoe pick, but not the matching handle. You have to purchase this separately, which of course also has its advantages: You can decide for yourself how long the handle needs to be. According to the manufacturer, the Silverline cross and pickaxe handles fit perfectly.
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Thien 50080 ax handle Ammerländer cow foot, 80 cm, ash handle
56.51 EUR To the product| head | wrought iron |
|---|---|
| head shape | edgy |
| stalk | ash handle |
| stem length | 80 centimeters |
| Weight | approx. 2.2 kilograms |
The hoopoe pick is known by various names, one of which is "Ammerländer Kuhfuss". The manufacturer Ideal also sells this proven tool under this name, with which you get a tool head made of forged iron and an 80 centimeter long ash handle. The angular, heavy tool head is excellent for all rough garden work, although unfortunately the handle is quite short and therefore full leverage cannot be applied. However, a shorter handle also has its advantages, v. a. for physically smaller people or when it comes to using the device in a confined space.
Purchase Criteria
execution
There are different versions of the hoopoe pick, which not only differ in size and weight, but also (and above all) in the shape of the tool head. This consists of two sides, one of which is always designed as an axe. The second side, in turn, is held in one of three possible forms.
broadsheet: A hoopoe pick with a broad blade is also known as an angular hoopoe pick and has the advantage that it offers a larger attack surface compared to other forms. This model is therefore very well suited to working on larger areas (e.g. flower beds) or heavily branched roots (e.g. hedges). In addition, the broad-blade pick is used for so-called angle planting.
oval leaf: The oval-tipped hoopoe pick, on the other hand, is perfect for stony and hard surfaces, as its narrower blade penetrates the soil more easily and deeper. In addition, you can work more precisely with this form than with the broad blade model.
pointed blade: Hoopoe pickaxes with a pointed blade are just right for digging in hard ground and with or on rock. However, these models cannot be used for clearing or woodwork.
material
A hoopoe pick consists of two parts: the tool head and the handle. The tool head should ideally be forged from one piece, since the tool has to withstand enormous forces when used. A hardwood such as ash or beech is ideal for the handle. Softwood handles, on the other hand, should be avoided as they break too quickly. Some manufacturers, such as Fiskars, also offer handles made of special plastic that have damping (i.e. joint-gentle) properties and a rubberized and therefore non-slip grip.
processing
As a rule, hoopoe picks are delivered disassembled, i. H. You need to assemble tool head and handle by yourself. You don't need any screws or nails for this, as the individual parts are held together solely by inertia - provided, of course, that the handle and the recess in the tool head intended for the handle fit together. You don't really need any tools either. In the video you can see how to handle the hoopoe hoe and other garden tools yourself.
Weight
The weight is also an important criterion when buying the hoopoe pick. Most devices weigh between two and three kilograms and are therefore precisely dimensioned. The pick should not be lighter because it requires a certain weight for the chopping and cutting work. Heavier equipment, in turn, leads to faster fatigue (which may mean you have to take more breaks and spend more time doing your job) and also increase the risk of muscle pain and injury.
stem length
Many hoopoe hoes come with a matching handle, with most manufacturers offering handles between 80 and 110 centimeters in length. Which handle suits you best depends primarily on your height:
- Handle length up to 90 centimeters: small people up to 170 centimeters tall
- Handle length up to 100 centimeters: people up to 180 centimeters tall
- Handle length up to 110 centimetres: people over 180 centimeters tall
frequently asked Questions
What advantages does the hoopoe pick have over other garden tools?
The great advantage of the hoopoe pick is its versatility. Strictly speaking, it is not a tool, but a multifunction device. You can use the pick as an ax or hatchet, as a spade or as a hoe, just as you need it. For a few years now, the old garden tool has been gaining in popularity again, after it had been almost forgotten for a long time.
What jobs can you use a hoopoe pick for?
With the hoopoe pick you can dig up or loosen up beds, whereby the device can be used particularly well on hard and stony soil. It is also suitable for clearing tree stumps and roots, removing bamboo and other stubborn vegetation, clearing fields and removing and crushing stones or layers of rock.
Can I fell a tree with the hoopoe pickaxe?
Since one side of the hoopoe hoe always consists of an axe, you can of course also use the tool to chop down a tree - if it is absolutely necessary. The pick is also good for chopping and chopping firewood. Incidentally, it can also be used for planting, which is why it is very popular with forest workers.
How do I properly sharpen the hoopoe pick?
It is best to use a belt grinder, a cut-off grinder or a flex for resharpening. The devices should be applied to the cutting edges at an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees. But beware: grinding is a complicated matter, where you can do a lot wrong. It is therefore best to have a specialist show you the correct procedure vis-à-vis.
How do I properly care for the hoopoe hoe?
So that you can enjoy your garden tools for a long time, you should clean them carefully after each use and store them in a dry place. Of course, this also applies to the hoopoe pick, the tool head of which should be kept clean and dry so that it does not rust. The stem can also be affected if, for example, it gets wet and then rotten. In addition, regular sharpening is advisable.
Are there differences between the hoopoe pick and the hoopoe pickaxe?
The terms "hoopoe pick" and "hoopoe pick" are synonymous terms for one and the same garden tool. That means there are no differences. The Ammerland cow foot already presented is also a hoopoe pick, but a slightly modified variant with a square blade on one side of the tool head.