They’re both digging tools, but they’re shaped for different jobs.

• Pickaxe: Typically has two narrow ends (or a point and a chisel). It’s geared toward breaking hard materials like compacted gravel, rocky soil, or old concrete, and prying.
• Mattock: A dual-head tool with a broad blade on one side (adze or axe-like cutter) and often a pick on the other. It’s designed for cutting roots, shaping and loosening soil, trenching, and general garden/landscaping tasks.

On product pages you may see a pick mattock, which blends both functions. Choosing between them depends on whether you’re mostly breaking rock-hard material or working soil and roots.

A mattock is a versatile garden and landscaping tool that handles a range of ground work.

• Loosening compacted soil for planting or bed prep.
• Chopping through roots around shrubs and small stumps.
• Creating shallow trenches for edging, drainage, or drip lines.
• Digging and shaping planting holes and transplant sites.
• Weeding and cultivating larger areas by slicing and lifting.
• Breaking up hardpack (and occasionally ice or crusted surfaces) with the pick end.

Look for a pick mattock (adze + pick) for mixed soil and root work, or a cutter mattock (axe-like blade + adze) if you expect more root cutting and chopping.

For tough, compacted ground, many shoppers prefer a pick mattock with features that help with penetration and leverage.

• Head weight: A heavier head (around 5 lb or more) can bite into hard surfaces more effectively.
• Head style: A pointed pick end helps break through; the adze side lifts and loosens.
• Handle length: A longer handle (often around 36 in) can provide leverage; shorter handles fit tight spaces.
• Grip/handle material: Shock-absorbing or fiberglass handles can reduce vibration; wood offers a traditional feel.

Pre-wetting very dry soil and working in small sections can help. Compare product specs and customer reviews on Walmart.com to match the tool to your conditions.

You’ll see a few related names, and some describe specific head styles.

• Pick mattock: Adze blade on one side, pick on the other.
• Cutter mattock: Adze blade paired with an axe-like cutter for roots.
• Hand mattock/mini mattock: A smaller, shorter version for tight spaces.
• Garden pick or mattock hoe: Common retail terms for similar dual-head tools.
• Grub hoe/adze hoe: Related tools emphasizing the broad adze blade; not all include a pick.

Names can vary by region and listing. Checking photos and the head description helps confirm the style you want.

Basic care can extend the life of your mattock, though exact results depend on use and conditions.

• Clean and dry: Brush off soil after use, wipe dry, and apply a light coat of oil to the steel to help resist rust.
• Inspect and tighten: Check the handle, head, and hardware for wear or looseness; tighten as needed.
• Protect edges: Cover or wrap the blade and pick when stored.
• Store properly: Keep it off the ground in a dry area, away from prolonged sun or moisture.
• Replacement parts: Some designs accept replacement handles or grips; availability varies. You can search Walmart’s garden tools for compatible options.