Stop Fighting Difficult Roots: There's An Amazon Tool That Makes Digging Easier

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When you're doing intensive landscaping work like manually removing a tree stump or dealing with unwanted bushes that keep growing back, having good tools can make the difference between an exhausting struggle and a satisfying day's work. The Fiskars Pro IsoCore 14" 2-in-1 Pickaxe & Hoe is a popular choice for tough jobs thanks to its practical dual-head design and shock-absorbing handle. When it comes to yard work, the tools you use can actually have a big impact on your comfort and endurance. Something with a comfortable grip and balanced weight is going to serve you best, and the Fiskars pickaxe checks a lot of boxes and comes with rave reviews.

At the time of writing, the Fiskars mattock is available for $54.06 and has earned a 4.8-star rating with more than 800 reviews — and not a single 1- or 2-star review! In fact, it's one of Amazon customers' top gardening tools thanks to its versatility and small but sturdy size (the lifetime warranty and overall Fiskars quality don't hurt either). For projects that call for something stronger than standard gardening hand tools, but not a full-size pickaxe or hoe, this tool can quickly and easily cut through roots and more.

The entire Fiskars Pro line is designed to tackle tough landscaping tasks while being easy on your body, and that's just what this pickaxe offers. It's easy to develop hand cramps, wind up with a sore back, or tire out quickly when your outdoor tools are constantly slipping from your grip, ineffective at breaking up the earth, or falling apart. To this end, the Fiskars pickaxe's 14-inch handle minimizes vibrations and features a sculpted non-slip grip, giving you more comfort and control. The solid steel, dual-headed axe head (riveted to the handle to keep it sturdy and durable) makes this a versatile tool; the sharp pick end can break up clay soils or loosen stones while the mattock end can chop through roots or dig into harder soils.

Reviewers have found dozens of uses for this tool for everything from soil prep to light demolition work. Along with digging out roots to eliminate stubborn weeds or unwanted shrubbery, this tool can be used to break up soil and hard ground and pry out rocks for planting or amending. Its short length lets you work close for greater precision, but the solid axe head can still deliver powerful blows. One reviewer was impressed with how well the pick end retained its sharp point, even after two hours of breaking up asphalt. This tool seems to be particularly effective when it comes to clay soil, and multiple reviewers expressed appreciation for the tool's ability to prep planting holes much more quickly than a hand trowel. According to one reviewer who struggles with rocky clay soil, "The only way I can dig holes for planting is with this."