Mattock 287752 215069035 2008-05-26T15:47:35Z Boccobrock 218593 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/198.169.169.32|198.169.169.32]] to last version by PipepBot [[Image:Mattock.jpg|thumbnail|A mattock]]A '''mattock''' is a hand [[tool]] similar to a [[pickaxe]]. It is distinguished by the head, which makes it particularly suitable for digging or breaking up moderately hard ground. A mattock has a broad chisel-like blade perpendicular to the handle.<ref>''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'' 2000</ref> This broad-bladed end is effectively an [[adze]] that could be used as a [[hoe (tool)|hoe]] as well. The reverse may have a pointed end, in which case the tool is called a '''pick mattock''', or instead have an [[axe]]-like splitting end, then it is a '''cutter mattock'''. A combination axe and mattock used for fighting forest fires is a [[Pulaski (tool)|pulaski]]. In some regions of the southern USA, the mattock is called a "grub hoe" or "grub axe". Mattock heads range from 1.5 to 3.5 kg (3 to 7 pounds) in weight, and are normally mounted on a 90 to 120 cm (3 to 4 foot) shaft. The shaft is often heavier than the head, sometimes possessing twice the mass and density of a baseball bat. Mattocks are still frequently used for path work in hill areas such as the [[Scottish Highlands]], and are used extensively in archaeological [[excavation]]. [[Image:mattocking.jpg|thumbnail|A mattock in use to dig out a [[burrow]]ing pit.]]During the [[Middle Ages]] of Europe, the mattock served as an improvised [[pole weapon]] for the poorer classes. In [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Hobbit]]'' the Dwarves under the banner of Dain (and later fighting as one of the armies in the [[Battle of Five Armies]]) were armed with two-handed mattocks. ==References== {{reflist}} {{Types of tools}} [[Category:Mechanical hand tools]] [[Category:pole weapons]] [[Category:Gardening tools]] {{weapon-stub}} [[de:Rodehacke]] [[pl:Oskard]]