A pickaxe is useful for working the soil, but also for lifting rocks or roots. Equipped with a wooden, fiberglass, or composite material handle, this hand tool is indispensable for gardening enthusiasts and construction professionals.
There are different types of pickaxes depending on the work to be done:
- the model intended for gardening is recognizable by its head formed of two flat and pointed tongues on both sides;
- the digger model is equipped with a head formed of a point to break solid elements on one side and a rectangular blade on the other
- the model designed for miners comes with two picks designed to break rocks.
The handle of this hand tool has some characteristics to know:
- the standard length is between 90 cm and 1 m;
- it is equipped with a head with gradual flaring to optimize holding in the eye of the iron;
- its ovalized shape makes it easy to grasp and use.
Pickaxes also differ by the material of their handle.
- Wooden handles are made of various woods such as beech, eucalyptus, or hickory. They are appreciated for their affordable price.
- Fiberglass handles are valued for their strength and lightness.
- Bi-material composite models feature a core of fiberglass coated in soft resin. Thus, they withstand external aggressions and partially absorb the vibrations caused by the shocks between the head and the rocks.
- Tri-material composite handles are similar to bi-material models, but they are equipped with a soft rubber at the area intended for the user's hands to absorb vibrations. This way, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders is limited.
Thus, the choice of a pickaxe depends on the work to be done and the desired comfort. It is worth noting that some tools are suited both for gardening and earthwork thanks to their head formed of a pick and a flat tongue.
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