--- title: "The Best Pickaxes to Break Hard Ground" description: "We tested the best pickaxes for breaking hard soil and rocks. Our top picks offer durable heads, ergonomic grips, and strong handles." date: "2025-11-14" modified: "2025-11-14" authors: - name: "Tony Carrick" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/" - name: "Michelle Larson" job_title: "Assistant Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/best-pickaxes-2025/" categories: - "Hand Tools" - "Reviews" - "Tools & Materials" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # The Best Pickaxes to Break Hard Ground ![Best pickaxes group]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* While a shovel may be the first thing one reaches for to dig a hole, when it comes to breaking through hard, rocky soil, a pickaxe is the [tool]() of choice. Famous for its use in the construction of the Great American Railroad in the 19th century, the head of a pickaxe has a pointy pick on one side and a flat wedge-shaped side on the other, hence the name “pickaxe.” While the pickaxe's days of excavating earth to make way for the Iron Horse may be over, their ability to break up compacted soil, large rocks, and tree roots makes them essential in the world of gardening and landscaping. After testing five popular models in our own backyard and an overgrown area next to it, we chose the [Hooyman Pick Mattock with Heavy-Duty Forged Head]() as the best overall model for its ergonomic design, versatility, durability, and overall value. Read on to learn more about why the Hooyman topped our list of the best pickaxes and see which other models we recommend. ## Pickaxes Comparison | Product | Weight | Handle length | Handle material | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [**Hooyman Pick Mattock with Heavy-Duty Forged Head**]() | 5 pounds | 36 inches | Fiberglass with rubberized grip | | [**Fitool Forged Adze Hoe and Pick**]() | 1.4 pounds | 15 inches | Fiberglass with plastic coating and rubberized grip | | [**Truper 31646 6-lb. Railroad Pick**]() | 6 pounds | 36 inches | Fiberglass with rubberized grip | | [**Fiskars Pro IsoCore 5-lb. Pickaxe**]() | 5 pounds | 36 inches | Dual-layer fiberglass and anti-vibration insulating materials with rubberized grip | | [**Ames RazorBack 5-lb. Pick Mattock**]() | 5 pounds | 34 inches | Fiberglass with rubberized grip | The Hooyman pick mattock with a heavy-duty forged head feels like it was built for serious work. From the first swing, its solid weight and balance felt good in the hands of both our testers: one 6 feet 1 inches tall and the other 5 feet 4 inches tall. The 1045 high-carbon steel head made quick work of cutting through compacted soil in a neglected landscaping plot, tangled grapevine roots attempting to take hold on a nearby tree, and mixed rocks and gravel in an empty lot next to our property. One of our favorite features of the Hooyman pickaxe was its no-slip grip. The 5-pound head was a fair bit to swing for our smaller tester, but the handle felt comfortable and secure even when her hands got sweaty. The fiberglass core seemed strong and sturdy, and the epoxy-sealed head-to-handle connection never wobbled, even after extended use. The dual-head design—one side a pick, the other an adze—gave us the versatility needed for both breaking ground and prying up stones. At 36 inches long, it’s a bit big for smaller spaces, but that’s true of any full-size tool. When the work is done, there’s a convenient peg hole for hanging—a small feature that’s notably absent in many models. **What our tester says:** “It was a tight race for first place between the Hooyman pickaxe and the Fiskars, but ultimately the Hooyman took first because of its value. It’s comfortable, durably made, and has a couple of convenient extras at a great price.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer **Get the Hooyman pickaxe at** [**Amazon**]()**,** [**Lowe’s**]()**,** [**Ace Hardware**]()**, or** [**Hooyman**]()**.** ![Hooyman pickaxe breaking into neglecting landscaping plot ]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ## More Pickaxes Worth Your Money We liked every gardening mattock and pick for digging we tested for this guide, which doesn’t always happen. Depending on your size, the task at hand, and your budget, one of the options below might be a better fit. ## How We Tested the Best Pickaxes | **Products tested** | 5 | | --- | --- | | Time spent testing | 4 hours | | Tests performed | 6 | | Price range | $15 to $75 | To find the best types of pickaxes for a range of outdoor tasks, we started by assessing more than a dozen options for their perceived durability, ergonomics, and usefulness. We narrowed those choices down to five, all of which have lightweight fiberglass handles for absorbing impact and strong steel heads built to withstand heavy-duty use. We prioritized rubberized grips that would allow us to get a good hold and included both full-size [axes for splitting]() large rocks and mini pickaxes for gardening and cultivating. We then spent several hours putting each model through a series of real-world tests. We used them to break up compacted soil, lift heavy rocks, and cut through tangled vines. During testing, we paid close attention to grip comfort and ergonomics, noting how secure each handle felt in our hands and in connection with its head, as well as how much vibration transferred through the shaft as we worked. We evaluated weight and balance during extended use, as these factors have a significant impact on how easy a mattock tool is to control. Finally, we assessed durability by checking for chips, loose heads, and handle wear after use. And since we don’t have a dedicated [garden tool organizer]() in our shed, we gave the two pickaxes with peg holes (the Hooyman and the Fitool) a little bump in their value scores. | **Product** | **Functionality** | **Ergonomics** | **Durability** | **Value** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [**Hooyman Pick Mattock with Heavy-Duty Forged Head**]() | 5/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | 5/5 | | [**Fitool Forged Adze Hoe and Pick**]() | 4/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | | [**Truper 31646 6-lb. Railroad Pick**]() | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 | | [**Fiskars Pro IsoCore 5-lb. Pickaxe**]() | 5/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | | [**Ames RazorBack 5-lb. Pick Mattock**]() | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 | ![Hooyman pickaxe in use]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ## FAQs If you’re wondering how a pickaxe differs from a mattock or another [type of axe]() or how you might use one, read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these outdoor tools. ## Meet the Tester Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Because she’d rather spend a little more up front than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of testing for finding quality items that are meant to last. *Additional research provided by Tony Carrick.* ## Author Michelle is a lifelong learner who lives and plays in the mountains of Park City, Utah, with her husband, daughter, and pets. She came to the Commerce team at BobVila.com in February 2022 with more than 5 years’ experience as a business owner, writer, and program manager.