Truper Cutter Mattock Pick Axe - Pickaxe 5 Lb Steelhead with 36-Inch Fiberglass Handle - Pick Axes for Digging - 31638

I live in Denver Colorado, if you aren't familiar with the area we have a clay issue: Essentially a couple inches underneath the surface soil there is a very hard, compacted layer of clay that can turn even simple gardening projects into all-day ordeals...I originally purchased this thinking it would help me simply break up the ground a bit around a bunch of roots left over from multiple large buckthorn and other trees we had to cut down. Turns out not only was it able to break up the clay, it actually helped me destroy the roots themselves with remarkable ease. In fact, I ended up using pretty much ONLY this tool for the ENTIRE job (see 1st pic for ref of what I dug out/destroyed)!I used the smaller pointed end to cut and break up roots/stumps, then the larger flatter side to dig deep and scoop out the pieces, this combo worked perfectly. Using this tool turned what I thought would be a 3-4 weekend situation into a SINGLE Sat afternoon job!One more thing of note: I am 6’4”, 285 lbs, and a former football player. Suffice it to say I was putting some SERIOUS power into my swings. I originally chose this tool specifically because it had a fiberglass handle bonded to the head itself, rather than simply stuck on top like others I’ve used and seen on Amazon. I can tell you now that handle was able to take a beating and never once was I afraid of the handle breaking or the head flying off, it was steady as ever no matter what I threw at it.If I had anything negative to say it would be that the larger flat side, (after repeated pulls on some particularly deep pieces stumps/roots), bent itself backwards, eventually achieving about a 30° angle upwards. As you can see in the pics, I was able to hammer it flat at least, but I could get that original curve back. That being said, for my use case at least it hasn’t proved to be that big of a problem because I can still angle it in myself and get the roots out just fine, it would just be a bit easier with that curve.Overall, If you are looking for a solid tool that can take a beating and keep on ticking this is a great choice. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!

I'm so happy with this thing!All the pickaxes I've ever seen had a useless pick on one end. Go figure! But really... What the hell? I'm not a miner. What are we digging for iron ore in our gardens? The pick end is useless! Especially for getting rocks out of the ground in New York. Chances are a glacier dropped it, and it's made out of solid granite. And nobody spends ten months pickaxe'ing through solid granite, unless they've been enslaved by an Egyptian Pharaoh. No, assuming it is even possible, you always have to dig around it and then pry it out, with the hoe-end, because the pick-end always slips around the side of the rock. (Making it useless yet again!) Blech.Thank the gods and Truper Inc. for making this amazingly high quality Cutter Mattock, or as I like to call it, the Axe-Hoe!!! It makes dealing with tree roots a million times less aggravating. I found it by accident while looking at Pulaski Tools. Now those things really are axe-hoes. But they're also 3.5lbs, instead of 5lbs like this baby. Also the hoe is pretty short on a Pulaski axe. I bought one anyway though! It was only forty bucks, and I really wanted to compare the two side by side while digging. See which I liked better. The cutter mattlock digs better, flat out. It's heavier so you drive it in farther without effort, and because the hoe is longer, you get more leverage on it for prying stuff up. That said, I'd rather cut down a tree with a Pulaski. Which probably explains why forestry firemen carry them. Heh.Oh, as for the tool itself, the heads come partially sharpened, you're going to need to get out your belt sander, or grinding wheel. The fiberglass handle is excellent, and very nicely seated. The rubber grips are also a nice touch. I spent hours on here looking for a good one, this is the best, at the best price.

This tool has been a blessing. It replaced a wooden handle one that was probably 50 plus years old. Amazing what little effort is needed to cut through trees and roots. It is nicely balanced and has some good weight to it. Seems very sturdy as well. Would purchase again but assume this will last our lifetime.

Great tool. Used it to clear ivy and vegetation which was smothering my bushes. It worked great.

I will hopefully remember to update this review in the near future but here is my first impression.1. Packaging would be considered over kill for some (personally only have issues with shipping when its underkill!. Item was shipped and ordered from Amazon, think packaging is to keep honest man honest and prevent theft.2. This could be a con if you let it, but when they force the head of the Mattock/Cutter on the fiberglass/plastic shaft it literally gouges into it to anchor it done. When I was removing the packaging/cover on Mattock/Cutter a sharp piece of plastic pierced my finger. I just went to my work room in basement tossed a band aid on my finger and filed down any other sharp/pointed pieces. So I recommend being careful near the junction of the head of Mattock/Cutter and the shaft until it is sanded/filled down.3. Item appears to be LEGIT and may bring out the inner beast in you. I was in the kitchen when I took it out of the box, as I was holding (packing still on Mattock and Cutter) the Mattock in my hand I was feeling manly and wanting to hit something with it. Of course saying ouch and sucking your finger two seconds later quickly deflates the old ego. Lucky for me, my wife never saw that part, but did see me on the way to the basement, were she said "what is that? Followed by "I don't like it, it looks scary."4. Item will get plenty of use in the near future with plenty of tree trunks and bushes to rip out, if it holds up and performs like it should will get the 5th star!

Hopefully it doesn’t break. I put some serious torque on it digging out 14 inch arborvitae stumps. So far so good.

I am a retired logger. I'm 176cm tall and weigh about 90kgs. I live now in Germany and have compared this tool to the closest matched tool I can buy here locally. The head of the German tool is about half the weight of the Truper head. The handle of the German tool is 105cm and the Truper 90cm. The length of the Truper handle for a man my size makes it a back-breaker. It is just too short. Try working for a couple hours in medium or large sized stumps. The next problem is that with the extra weight of the head the fibreglass handle bends when swinging it. This is a weird feeling that causes me not to fully trust this tool.The head is heavy enough to give it a very good penetrating cut on heavy roots. The shape of the mattock cutting blade makes it much easier to single out the root or roots that you want to concentrate on cutting.My father and I picked up similar heads from my grandpas blacksmith shop about 50 years ago. I will attempt to break the fiberglass handle from this head and have a wood carver make myself a proper handle for this tool. Only then would I agree that this tool is a must have for clearing stumps. Namaste, LoggerBoy.

Could not find this size mattock at any local hardware even after searching their online catalogues. Great handle. Quality steel head. Ripping up the yard with smooth blows and small ax end rips up roots and other twine.

I like this tool. Solid, very strong, cuts through the soil and roots without any problem. It is a bit heavy and needs some muscle, but it is great for the job that requires more force. I even managed to remove small stumps using this mattock. Recommend it, no question.