What's the difference between a mattock and a pickaxe?

A mattock has a broad blade on one end of the head and a pick or axe on the other, which makes it good for digging, prying, and chopping. A pickaxe has a pick on one side and a chisel on the other, making it good for prying.

Is a mattock better than a pickaxe?

The thinner blade of the pickaxe allows it to penetrate rocky or clay soils deeper, making it more suited for those conditions. The mattock is better suited for removing larger quantities of softer soils.

What is a mattock pick used for?

A mattock /ˈmætək/ is a hand tool used for digging, prying, and chopping. Similar to the pickaxe, it has a long handle and a stout head which combines either a vertical axe blade with a horizontal adze (cutter mattock), or a pick and an adze (pick mattock).

What is the difference between a mattock and axe?

An axe cuts vertically with the blade vertical but an adze or mattock cuts horizontally with a horizontal blade which is ideally used for digging, carving and chopping.

Why is a mattock called a mattock?

The mattock is a hand tool that is often mistaken for a pickaxe. It is used for digging and chopping. Mattocks are very similar to what is called a Polaski in America. This tool gets its name from Edward Polaski, the forest ranger who developed it in the early 1900's.

Cutter Mattock tips 1 (pick axe)

How do you keep a pick mattock?

Both ends of a mattock should be maintained to keep a reasonably sharp edge; this can be done with either a grinder or a hand file. The adze blade and axe of a mattock should be kept clear of burrs and any severe dents/chips ground or filed out. The adze however should not be kept as sharp as the axe cutting edge.

How do you clean a mattock?

Cleaning. Mattocks, like most tools should always be cleaned before being put away. Brush off any dirt or earth from the whole mattock and dry the mattock if it's wet or damp.

What's the difference between a mattock and a Pulaski?

The axe blade of the Pulaski is the primary cutting edge, while the adze blade is secondary; this is the opposite of the cutter mattock, in which the adze blade is the larger of the two.

What's another name for a pickaxe?

In this page you can discover 9 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for pickaxe, like: pickax, round-shot, hatchet, penknife, pick-axe, pick, crowbar, machete and shovel.

What does a mattock look like?

A mattock is a tool that looks quite similar to a pickaxe. It features a long handle made of either wood or fiberglass. The head of the mattock may consist of an adze or horizontal blade on one side and a standard axe blade on the other.

How do you dig a trench with a mattock?

Trench with a Mattock

A mattock is designed for digging narrow trenches—just right for running cable or pipe. Swing it like an ax to cut into hard soil, and then lift out the dirt with the wide blade. The chopping blade slices through roots. Wrap tape around the shaft to gauge the depth of your trench.

What is a Maddock?

Maddock is the obsolete term for earthworm or maggot. It also may refer to: Maddock (surname) Maddock, North Dakota, a US city. Mattock, a multi-use hand tool.

Why do pickaxes have two sides?

The pointed end is used both for breaking and prying, the axe for hoeing, skimming, and chopping through roots. Developed as agricultural tools in prehistoric times, picks have evolved into other tools such as the plough and the mattock.

How much cobblestone can an iron pickaxe mine?

Pickaxes have different amounts of uses based on the type: Wooden: 60. Stone: 132. Iron: 251.

Should a mattock be sharpened?

Mattocks are sharpened like picks—instead of making the blade very sharp, maintain the original bevel angle (in this case, about 45 degrees). A too-sharp edge will become deformed as soon as it hits the first rock.

What is a Firemans axe used for?

Fire axes are among the most common firefighting tools. There are various types of firefighter axes; the two most used are the flat head fire axe and the pick head fire ax. Either can be used for smashing windows or doors to gain entry, or to chop holes in a roof for ventilation.

What is a firefighters tool called?

A Halligan bar, also known as a Halligan tool (sometimes also "Hooligan tool"), is a forcible entry tool used by firefighters and law enforcement.

What should you do to your tools after their use Why?

Make it a habit to clean tools after each use before you return them to storage. Wipe them down with a rag or old towel and be sure they are free of dust, grease and debris before you put them into their proper places. This is also an opportunity to look for any damage or defects.

What is the importance of wiping the tool with a dry piece of cloth before keeping it?

Be sure to remove any excess oil from the surfaces of the instrument using a clean, dry cloth. If a device is visibly wet with oil, it may attract particles that can cause internal wear of certain parts.

How do you keep a pick AXE?

Pick axes, like most tools, should always be cleaned before being put away. Any mud or dirt should be brushed off the head and handle, and if the tool is wet it should be dried.