Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Georgie Smith
A homesteader requires different types of tools to perform a range of tasks. Whether it is something for transporting equipment, landscaping or digging up the soil for planting, there is always ideal equipment for every job. However, you might want to ask; what is the best digging and cutting tool for use in my backyard garden?
Truth is; the market has varieties of these, something which is sometimes a recipe for wrong decisions. In fact, the confusion that comes with buying the right tool is a common occurrence, primarily when one cannot differentiate between a tool for digging hard rocks, breaking roots, or scooping soil.
Most people know about a hoe, shovel, spade, Axe, Pruning shears, and sickle, but what about the best Cutter Mattock, Pick Mattock, and Pickaxe?
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Gardening can be sophisticated or relaxed depending on the type of tools and equipment one uses. Digging tools are some of the common variants in this regard, but a question every farmer should ask is; do I have the best or do I need the experience to use a cutter mattock efficiently?
While this may be relative depending on one’s preferences, a good buyer review like this one by Morninghomestead should be able to jumpstart your search for the best.
The Best Heavy-Duty Digging and Cutting Tool Options
Almost everyone knows that machetes and axes are tools for cutting planks. However, you cannot use the latter to trim hedges, and fences, and cut grass. Thus, it means that there are always limitations when it comes to using gardening tools and equipment, beyond which a different one becomes a necessity.
You will also not use an ax or a machete to cut through rocky soils or break down concrete surfaces. It is here where one should start thinking about a cutter mattock, a pickaxe, or a pick. However, here is the catch. What options do you have?
Naturally, people always have different opinions when it comes to buying the best Cutter Mattock, Pick Mattock, or Pickaxe. Moreover, while listening to such can add to the confusion, the best buyer review should carry the day, something that should be manifest at the end of this post. You should also be able to (through our comprehensive review of our best picks) make the right choice.
Defining a Mattock
Mattock is a tool that has a long handle or shaft, usually measuring between 1-2 feet. It is essential to choose a length that suits your gardening needs. There is a head that is often two-sided and connected at the central hole through which a shaft passes. On both ends of the head are protruding adze (cutter or pick mattock) and ax blade.
The average weight of a typical Mattock varies between 3 to 7 pounds. However, this can vary depending on the head and the shafting material. Also, you are likely to notice more variations about Pick Mattock, Pickaxe, and Cutter Mattock. The following table lists some notable differences to guide you in making the right decision:
Things to Consider When Buying Mattock/Pickaxe
There are certain aspects that inform buyer decisions even when it comes to choosing the proper gardening and landscaping tools. The following should thus help you when selecting a Mattock/Pickaxe:
- Durability should be on top of the list because you do not want to end up with a tool that will break after a short period or when doing heavy-duty tasks in the garden.
- Cost is another crucial consideration everyone must make. While you want something that will not leave a dent in your pocket, value for your money is the key to the right choice
- Quality is crucial everywhere.
- Look at buyer reviews on Amazon. Morninghomestead.com has taken this seriously when compiling this fantastic review of top picks.
- The weight of the equipment is another critical issue. Beforehand, determine whether a heavy or a lighter tool will be ideal for a task at hand.
Cutter Mattock vs. Pick Mattocks & Pick Axe: the Differences
| Cutter Mattock | Pick Mattock | Pick Axe |
|---|---|---|
| An apparatus for removing stones, breaking gravel, hard ground, and concrete | Head constitutes pick and a horizontal adze blade | The head features a spike and adze |
| A tool for cutting roots and digging trenches | A tool for digging rocky or hard soils | An apparatus for removing stones, breaking gravel, hard ground and concrete |
| For gardening | For clearing trenches and landscaping | For landscaping |
Best Cutter Mattocks, Best Pick Mattocks & Pickaxes for Sale:
The market has everything you would need for either gardening or landscaping. Moreover, because you want to be an exceptional homesteader at any cost that comes with it, Morninghomestead is the right partner in helping you make the right decisions. With our guide, you can be sure of paying for the best tool and equipment on Amazon.
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 | Truper 31638 5-Pound Cutter Mattock | – 5-pound cutter – 36-inch long – Optimum quality & value |
| True Temper Cutter Mattock | – 5-Pound – 36″ long wood handle – Perfect for the hardest earth | |
 | Truper 31618 5-Pound Cutter Mattock | – 5-pound cutter – 36″ hardwood handle – Awesome tool & great price |
 | Truper 31614 5-Pound Pick Mattock | – 36″ Fiberglass Handle – 5-pound pick – Great tool with Perfect weight |
 | Collins Pick 2-1/2 Lb. 36 ” Bulk | – 2-1/2 Lb – 36 ” long |
 | Truper 31615 5-Pound Pick Mattock | – 36″ Wood Handle – 5-pound pick – Powerful swing |
 | Fiskars Garden IsoCore | – 5 lb Pick, 36″ – Ideal for rocky surfaces – Full lifetime warranty |
 | True Temper Garden Pick | – 2 1/2-Pound head – Handle’s strong & durable – Highly recommend |
Cutter Mattocks:
Below are some of the Cutter Mattocks we recommend to anyone who is looking for the best out there. Head over to Amazon and make your pick and we would be happy to receive your feedback about the same in the comment section.
Truper 31638 5-Pound Cutter Mattock with Fiberglass Handle
Any gardener looking for the best should go for a cutter mattock that weighs relatively light. Truper 31638 which weighs 5 pounds makes it to the top of our list as one of the best you can find out there. Another exciting feature of this tool is that it provides excellent value for your money, thanks to the standards of Truper, a leading manufacturer of farming tools and equipment.
You should also not fail to notice a shock-absorbent handle that features fiberglass. So, it does not matter how hard you strike a tough root during cutting. With this product, you can be sure of performing other duties like breaking the hard soil and cutting tough shrub with great eases.
What more can you ask? Buy Truper 31638 Cutter Mattock from Amazon today and enjoy great comfort, thanks to extra layers of rubber for grip on the 36-inch extended hand.
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True Temper Cutter Mattock-1195300
A durable product is worth the money, and that is what you get with this cutter mattock from Truper. Its head weighs 5 pounds and constitutes sturdy steel for durable use. A sturdy handle featuring hardwood further makes the 1195300 cutter mattocks even more special.
Moreover, if you are looking for something that will cushion your hands from overstrike, then this is the ideal choice. The handle has an innovative finish for a firm grip during work. With it, you can break up even the hardest of soils.
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Truper 31618 5-Pound Cutter Mattock with Wooden Handle
Gardeners and landscapers can sometimes find it tricky to choose the perfect tool for their needs, and the thought of spending money on a fake product is usually very worrying. However, that should not be the case anymore with Truper 31618 cutter mattock. This item combines a head combo that will fit into most of your tasks.
Moreover, to add to it, the handle measures up to 36 inches for great momentum during handling. Its head weighs 5 pounds, an ideal weight for cutting through shrubs, roots, and rocky soil. The handle features hardwood and has a lacing of shock-absorbent material to protect your hand from hard strikes.
You need to stock your yard shed with the best, and this one is another top selection you can purchase from Amazon today.
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Pick Mattocks:
It can be time-consuming looking for the best Pick Mattock without success, but not anymore if you go through our top selections and unbiased reviews below. In a nutshell, it will save the hassle.
Truper 31614 5-Pound Pick Mattock with 36-Inch Fiberglass
Pick mattocks to happen to be necessary farm implements today, and with an excellent choice, you can worry less about strenuous activities like digging trenches and breaking through gravel. In our list, the 31614 Version from Truper comes at the top. However, the question is; why is it one of the best?
Well, this item weighs 5 pounds, which is an ideal handling weight. On the same premise, you can also be sure of excellent momentum when striking hard surfaces. A handle that has a poly shock absorbent is another great feature to consider. In other words, it will protect your hands during work even when you strike against hard surfaces.
The handle is 36 inches long and because it features fiberglass, no worries about strop grip and control. Thus, it is another top choice from Truper if you are in need of something that will make it easy to cut roots of small shrubs, and break stubborn and hard pain soil. You can buy this item from Amazon at a cost-effective price today.
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Collins Pick 21/2 Lb. 36 Inches Bulk Pick mattock
The standard handle length of most Pick mattocks is 36 inches, and this one from Collins fits the bill perfectly. You may want to ask; what then makes it different from the rest?
It weighs two and a half lbs, a weight that is ideal for light-duty tasks. Buy this item from Amazon today.
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Truper 31615 5-Pound Pick Mattock with 36-Inch Wooden Handle
A 36-inch long handle, a 5-pound pick/mattock head gives you this Pick Mattock. It is another exceptional product from Truper you should add to your collection of farm equipment and tool. There is more.
The handle has a poly shock absorbent material to cushion your hands from hard strikes against hard rocky surfaces. Truper 31615 is a tool you can use to break hard soils, cut difficult shrub roots and more. Thus, it would be a great addition to your collection if you place a purchase order on Amazon now.
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Pickaxes:
It does not end with Pick or Cutter Mattocks. Pickaxes are also handy tools that every gardener or landscaper needs. Take a look below and choose from the top selections in the market which you buy from Amazon today at very affordable prices.
Fickars Garden IsoCore 5lb Pickaxe 36-Inches
Here comes the best Pickaxe for every gardener. Garden IsoCore from Fiskars has a head that weighs 5 pounds, which means it is suitable for heavy-duty tasks such as breaking through rocky soils, gravel, and dry earth. You can also use the flat end for digging.
It features shock-absorbent materials on the handle, which is also a patent of the IsoCore Shock Control System. Thus, vibration coming from striking against hard surfaces generates is two times less. Insulation sleeves add to this functionality so that you are utterly safe.
There is also a dual layer of insulating materials to further hand cushion you from tasks that generate much vibration on the handle. Now, think about buying a product that comes with a lifetime warranty. Amazing, right?
Buy this Pickaxe from Amazon now and enjoy extraordinary experiences and offers.
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True Temper Garden Pick-119500
Two-and-a-half pounds head, sturdy, heavy-duty steel, and durability are features that define an outstanding Pickaxe. True Temper Garden Pick comes with all that. The body features a durable hardwood handle for stronger grip and durability.
Breaking and digging hard soil has never been easier and that is why this tool comes through as a great companion.
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Why Buy a Mattock or Pick an Axe?
You might be wondering; with the many digging and cutting tools available in the market, why do I need to buy a hatchet or a Pick Axe? It is a good question, and the right answer will be beneficial to millions of gardeners and landscapers out there.
In the case of gardening, you will realize significant efficiency when breaking down hard soils using an ax. It is the best anyone would need. It is also true for landscaping because sometimes you will want to break rocky soils whereby a Pick Axe becomes an excellent choice.
How to Loosen Soil with a Mattock
There is nothing complicated about using a hatchet, but like every tool, it is imperative to take caution to avoid injuries. Now, regardless of whether you want to use a pick or a cutter tool, the technique is pretty much the same. So, here are the steps to follow:
- Hold the shaft firmly, and at a position, you can pivot with ease. Your dominant hand should be halfway to the side facing you and the other one towards the base, but of course not too close to the bottom to hinder movement.
- Now, you need to bend at the waist. At this point, it is imperative to flex your knees while keeping your back straight. Put one foot forward with the feet and shoulders wide.
- Finally, lift the head of the tool, slightly above knee height and let it fall back on the ground with the help of driving force from your hands.
Points to note when using a mattock
- Depending on the type of work you are doing, it is imperative to use the right blade or adze. The reason why this is important is that each end is for a different purpose. Avoid using the ax-like edge when loosening the soil. A pick is the best option here.
FAQs
It is okay to ask some questions so that you can get a clear direction on issues like buying tips, usage tips and many more. It always goes a long way in helping buyers make the right selections and spend money wisely. Below are some questions that people ask frequently:
Q: Why should I use mattocks more than other alternative tools?
A: The Truth is, there are many digging and cutting tools one can opt to use. However, these farm implements are preferable for some reasons such as the following:
- A mattock combines two crucial tools into one; an ax and an adze
- You save on costs that come with purchasing two different types of equipment
- The weight of a grabber provides it with enough momentum thus very useful in digging and cutting.
Q: Are there other activities I can do using a mattock?
A: People always want something that can help them finish tasks faster and with an ax; it gets even better, thanks to its multifunctional nature. In short, you can use this equipment for demolishing unwanted structures, paving and levering of slabs. You can use the pick as a more efficient and efficient replacement of crowbars.
Q: What are some surfaces on which I cannot use a cutter/pickax?
A: Each end of a mattock head is suited for different tasks. While you will not be able to use adze to cut roots or on rocks and hand soils, a pick provides the best reinforcement when performing such tasks. The bottom line is that always use the right tool for the right job. There is something for everything, and this post should help you make this critical decision.
Q: How should I clean and store my mattock?
A: It is imperative that farm tools and equipment be in good shape and condition. It thus comes down to a question of how you ought to take care of your implement. Before storing your tool, remove any dirt such as earth/soil from the handle and the head (adze and pick/ ax). After doing this, make sure it is dry then keep it out of reach of children.
Moreover, when it comes to preventing the metal head from rust, a smear of oil or covering it with oily clothing will go along way in making sure such an unfortunate thing does not happen. Clean the wooden handle using linseed oil or any recommendable alternative to guard against rotting. Mattocks whose handles are fiberglass in nature should be in a place away from intense UV light which tends to degrade them faster than anything else.
Finally, when it comes to storage, a sheath will always help keep your equipment safe from any from any form of damage.
Q: What is the best mattock size?
A: Sizes vary when it comes to buying an item that will suit your gardening needs. Average weight is somewhere between 1-4 and 3.2 kilograms. The length of the head also differs from one selection to the other. The same is also true for handles which ranges between 0.9 and 1.2 meters.
Q: What is the cost of a Pick Mattock, Cutter Mattock, and Pick Axe?
A: You would want to spend money on something that will serve its purpose. However, what is the best price? While prices of these tools vary depending on such aspects as size, weight, and length, you can spend as little as 10 dollars on an excellent device. Top review samples you have read in this post by Morninghomestead put together some of the best options you can choose from and never regret.
However, smaller options, which are not withstanding lighter (micro-mattocks), can also do. They usually measure 45 centimeters in length, and you can use them with great ease and with only one hand.
Final thoughts
There are many gardeners out there who will relate very well to the difficulties that use of the wrong tools brings. In even worse scenarios, the completion of a task may not be up to your expectations. Thus, it is imperative to note the different uses of various tools and equipment at your disposal.
In case you are looking for the best Cutter Mattock, Pickaxe, or Pick Mattock, this review by Morninghomestead should equally serve as an exceptional buyer guide so that you can always order from Amazon, the best tools in the market. The right information is what everyone needs if he or she wants to spend money on items of value.
What’s more? Well, share this vital information with your friends who want to experience home gardening like never before by using the best digging and cutting tools. Do not forget to post your views in the comment section below because we are always happy to receive your feedback.
