Caleb MorganBy Caleb Morgan

Updated November 2026

A garden tools pick mattock is a heavy digging tool with a pick end for breaking hard ground and an adze or axe-style blade for chopping roots and cutting trenches. Choosing the right one comes down to three things: the head design, the weight and the handle. This guide walks you through each so you can match a mattock to the digging jobs you actually do.

Decide Which Job the Mattock Needs to Do

Mattocks come in a few common configurations, and each favors a different task. A pick mattock has a pointed, curved pick on one side and a flat adze blade on the other. A cutter or grub mattock has a wider, sharper blade for slicing through roots. Think about your main work before you buy:

Shopping for one? See our guide: Sets of Garden Tools: 5 Best Picks Compared for Every Gardener.

  • Breaking compacted clay or rocky soil: choose a pick-heavy head with a narrow point.
  • Grubbing out roots and brush: choose a wider cutting edge on the adze side.
  • Digging trenches and planting holes: a balanced adze side works well for prying and scooping.

Check Head Weight and Balance

Most garden mattocks have heads in the range of roughly 2 to 5 pounds. Lighter heads swing faster and suit general digging. Heavier heads drive deeper into hard ground but tire your arms faster. Hold the tool by the end of the handle and let the head hang. If it feels like it wants to pull your wrist down, it is too heavy for sustained use.

Look for a head that sits centered on the handle. An off-balance head makes every strike less accurate and puts stress on your lower back.

Evaluate the Handle and Head Attachment

The handle matters as much as the head. Hickory and fiberglass are the two materials you will most often see. Hickory absorbs shock well and feels traditional in the hand, while fiberglass resists weather and does not crack as easily when struck. Whichever you choose, confirm that the head is secured with a wedge or through-bolt rather than a loose friction fit.

Handle length should reach roughly to your hip or the middle of your thigh when you stand upright with the head on the ground. A handle that is too short forces you to bend deeply, which strains your back.

Step-by-Step: Testing a Mattock Before You Commit

  1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and grip the handle near the end with both hands.
  2. Lift the head to about waist height and let it drop onto firm, dry soil. Watch whether the pick bites or bounces.
  3. Check the head for wobble by pressing it sideways against the ground.
  4. Swing gently several times and note whether the tool feels controllable at the end of each arc.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Buying the heaviest head available without considering how long you will be digging.
  • Ignoring the handle length and ending up stooped over for every swing.
  • Using a mattock on large stones, which can chip the head or damage the handle.
  • Storing the tool damp, which speeds rust on the head and loosens the wedge over time.
  • Skipping sharpening: a dull adze blade tears roots instead of cutting them cleanly.

A sturdy pair of work gloves protects your palms from blisters on long digging sessions. Look for a leather or synthetic-leather palm with reinforced fingertips. View on Amazon

A bench grinder or hand file keeps the adze edge sharp, which makes root-cutting far easier. View on Amazon

A tool rack or wall-mounted hook keeps the head off the floor and out of damp corners. View on Amazon

For more on matching tools to specific tasks, see Top 3 Tools for Weeding Garden Beds and Lawns Compared and Garden Implements and Tools: A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Ones. Storage ideas are covered in Garden Tool Storage Guide: Racks, Sheds and Walls.

FAQ

What is the difference between a pick mattock and a cutter mattock?

A pick mattock has a pointed pick on one side and an adze on the other, suited to breaking hard soil. A cutter mattock has a wider, sharper blade designed mainly for slicing roots and brush.

How heavy should a garden mattock be?

Most garden mattocks have heads from about 2 to 5 pounds. Choose a weight you can swing controllably for the full length of your digging session.

Should I sharpen a mattock blade?

Yes. A sharp adze edge cuts roots cleanly and reduces strain on your arms. Sharpen the bevel with a file at the angle the factory edge follows, and check the manufacturer’s guidance for your model.

Conclusion

A good garden tools pick mattock matches its head to your soil and root work, feels balanced in your hands and has a handle long enough to keep your back straight. Test the weight and balance before buying, and keep the blade sharp. With those basics covered, the mattock becomes one of the most useful tools in the yard.

Ready to choose one?

Caleb Morgan

About Caleb Morgan

Caleb Morgan is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our garden hand tools & equipment guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.