The AMES Companies, Inc 1194500 True Temper Garden Pick

Two days after my True Temper Garden Pick arrived it was in the middle of a forest, digging holes through thick clay soil to plant several dozen Longleaf Pine tree seedlings. After a full day of use by several men, the pick axe was in great shape with no visible signs of defects or issues.The pick axe that I received had a full metal head seated onto a green plastic sleeve set onto the wooden handle. We placed a metal pipe clamp at the base of the green plastic sleeve to keep it firmly on the wooden handle. While this may not be necessary, we also never had any issues with this product during our day in the forest and in subsequent uses in the field.For the price, I feel that the True Temper Garden Pick is a great value and it does have enough weight to dig through thick Louisiana soil.

Nice. A lighter pick my wife can swing with mallace! Now if only the handle was 8" longer I could play too. A light pick deserves a longer handle, after-all if you can't pick up a 5lb pick you probably don't bend over too good no more either, ya?

The only negative to this Pick is the plastic guard where the handle meets the head. There is no use for it. The metal isn't forged perfectly, but I was able to put an edge on it fairly easily.I tore up about 300 sq feet of dirt to a depth of about 5 inches with it fairly easily. I needed to get some crab grass roots up so I could replace it with a kinder, gentler grass. I busted up my dad's pick helping him in his yard, so I passed this on to him in favor of a Pulaski. If I didn't love my Pulaski, I'd certainly feel good using this Pick.

Wood handle is not the best. Might want to get fiberglass handle.

Arrived intact. Short handle and would have been better if it was another foot longer.

So this is the story of my garden pick:1) I open the box. The handle clearly is not hickory as described, I believe it’s pine. I think “Oh well it should still do the job”.2) I pick up the tool and immediately notice how light it is. I’m not sure how I’m going to get any momentum with it but my wife appreciates the weight. I decide not to attempt a return.3) Time to do yard work. Less than 2 minutes into hacking some old bush roots the handle snaps. I have experience with these tools and I’m not overly strong, so this is unacceptable.Unless you intend to use this as decoration, I would look elsewhere. I hope this helps.

I was somewhat concerned, buying this online, that it might not be durable enough. But it is very well made, and hefty enough to effectively dig a hole and/or loosen the soil in some seriously hard-packed, unforgiving ground. The handle is very securely attached.

MIne came with a nice green synthetic collar extending about 8" down from the metal head to protect from scuffing and overstrikes. I have used this to clear my yard and garden of St. Augustine grass, small volunteer trees, and many other undesirables. This tool is the perfect blend of power and weight for me, for 90% if my yard excavation work.