Best pickaxe technique

Best pickaxe technique
This is a quick video, demonstrating proper technique with one of my favorite digging tools, the pickaxe. This tool is one of my top picks for trying to dig in the hard Arizona soils. If you have to dig by hand, you definitely want this handy tool in your arsenal.
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[@KentVigilante]

Welcome back to Minecraft in real life Ultra HD Graphics Edition!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😆I know right!? Some kids probably thinking, they brought a minecraft tool to life.😁🙏 Thank you!

[@KentVigilante]

@@ourselfreliantlife I wanted to ask you what type of Pickaxe your using? been looking for a strong one for digging up old concrete on my property, right now I'm looking at one called a Roughneck Fibreglass Mattock & Pick 36 inch and wondered if there's anything better out their? Here is a copy and paste of what it's made of: Rolled forged alloy steel, hardened and tempered with black painted finish and fibreglass handle. Ideal for breaking up hard and stony ground.

[@MarlonVanderLinde]

@@KentVigilante Probably a late retort,but I am a HUGE mattock fan kent. There's not only root cutting, but also easy shallow trenching (by pulling out square chunks directly). I use the crap out of mine in our clay'esque landscape. Takes weeks ti get mattock fit though, heavy head. I got the techniques and muscle in an OK state now, but still working at it.

[@baseballplayer-rg5st]

Omg it’s the fortnite tool

[@Narcos-wb4yq]

Stop playing that stupid game dam idiot😤

[@lovelana3595]

My #1 tool for removing old stumps and tree roots in our forest.👍

[@Rayvn67]

put your legs into it, in the initial shove upwards of the swing, and then if you can pull back a little right at the end and sort of 'whip' it into the soil, it really bites into the ground; course they you gotta fight it, so it is best not to bite too deep till you gotta good ledge to work with. Good video!

[@edcohen1980]

In the UK that tool is commonly known generically as a " Pick Axe" - but that head type is correctly called a "mattock pick" - the blade end is the "mattock" (similar to African Adze) it is intended as the primary digging part of the tool. The narrow "pick" end is only supposed to be used for breaking up or prying loose large rocks. I was using my pick-mattock in garden today to cut a pathway in hard ground. The mattock was used to dig earth - I only used the pick to pry a concrete pillar that was buried out. Try it - that's how it was intended to be used

[@edcohen1980]

A pick-axe has a narrow pick- but the other end has a blade in line with shaft like an axe - hence "Pick-Axe" - pick with an axe blade. As opposed to mattock-pick, pick with a mattock blade

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

African adze? Aka hedgehog pooped a pick axe. Yaaaaaaaay I found the funds wheres my prizes bitches 🤣

[@KingyBobbie]

Smart man🫡

[@adas.985]

Thank you! That was so useful. I'm a massage therapist, also 4'11 and 100 pounds little lady that needs to do some heavy duty work on my backyard. As a massage therapist I can't afford to hurt my back or hands. This helped a lot! Thanks again.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

No problem! We're really glad this helped. It's all about technique and getting the most out of your swings. The work is still tough though. Thanks for the comment. 🙏

[@TheOleHermit]

Jim's pickaxe form is great. But, my back can't take it anymore. I've learned that a 10 lb digging bar is less stressful on the back. It's only a vertical lift and stroke, which works the arms and legs, but the back and torso remain straight. No twisting and bending forward. Hope this helps, although my comment is a year later. On the other hand, perhaps that makes it even more important. Best of luck with your heavy duty backyard work.😎

[@Billybobber47]

@@TheOleHermit Do you feel its as effective as the pickaxe if your back wasnt in pain?

[@TheOleHermit]

@@Billybobber47 Depends a lot upon the soil. In AZ, there's a lot of Caliche, a hardened natural cement of calcium carbonate. So, the point of a 10 lb digging bar focuses all the force onto one spot to break it up. By pushing the embedded bar sideways, it loosens the hard soil, similar to a crowbar. Then, a shovel can clear out the loosened dirt. A digging bar is also very useful for narrow post holes, because it is used vertically. Toss it into the air, as high as you can reach, then pull it downward to assist gravity for the best results (but keep your toes clear ;-) On the other hand, as Jim demonstrates, the wide blade of the pickaxe is better for soft or looser soil, because it can also drag material away, like a hoe (NOT a ho). lol!

[@bondpaz]

This is the way my Dad did his garage shed. Turned out great. Y’all are working hard! Keep up the good work. 😄

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Pamela Price I'm glad to know that this has worked for someone before. Hopefully we can do it as well.😆 Thank you!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Cheers

[@crlrealty1]

Great video. Simple and stright to the point!!!👍👍👍👍

[@UncleM682]

Maan that dirt is solid asf 😲 Thanks for sharing brother. Much love from New zealand. 💯❤😎

[@gameseeker18]

Never used a pickaxe in my life, and ready for an upper body workout. Thanks!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! It'll definitely give you a good upper body workout. 😃

[@andrewblair1606]

Me too bro

[@VerasakSahachaisaree]

Thank you so much for the technique. Yes very good workout. Much better than going to gym. The soil in my area is super hard but unfortunately it seem impossible to find a good pickaxe like yours. May be I have to wait until Covid is gone and go to buy it from your area :)

[@wendigo8204]

I have been digging a trench with a shovel and it has been so much work due to it being in the Forrest one of my men sent me this video and we already completed the trench

[@andrewblair1606]

Goid demonstration my general fisrt time going to use it 😮😊

[@andrievbastichy8551]

the enthusiasm of a mortician...such a even tone voice.. makes me wonder - if i was going to hear... "over there - is where i put that thief who tried to break in last week.. he got a nice christian burial." im teasing.. thanks for the video! its good see technique.. no one wants a wrecked back! did some picking yesterday.. but i use more leg in it... and i realised when i was lifting when tired id use my hips as a pivot - im wondering im not sore at all today - but im wondering if i was just lucky? So i came to look up a video.

[@believer270]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God bless you.

[@warningsystemsofohio1880]

I have a pickaxe and I didn't know how to use it when I got it and I watched this video thanks to you now I know what to do and how to use it properly thank you

[@joshoconnor6684]

I always found that a good stance for the pickass was feet a couple feet apart with the strong hand on the rear

[@JRPagan]

Thank you for the video! On a side note: for those correcting him, there's a difference in calling it a mattock only which is not what he has. Specifically, it is a pick mattock he's using. Pick axe is fine if you are using it generically since it covers all T-shaped tools.

[@jacobmills8263]

This comes up alot, isn't it strange that pickaxe became the umbrella term, especially since those are uncommon, but pickmatocks are everywhere.

[@grizzlycountry1030]

Actually pickaxe is a different than a pickaxe and thus can't be used generically for each other.

[@JRPagan]

@@grizzlycountry1030 so a pickaxe is a pickaxe which is different than a pickaxe? LoL

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

@@grizzlycountry1030 yeah true ok send mango there easy target lol

[@BR1967FE]

Yep, good workout🖒

[@nickbenson8717]

Definitely a good workout but I find it fun. Thank you for this video. This is how I use the pickaxe and Co-Workers have been telling me I'm using it wrong. I knew I was right! Also, does anyone know how to trench through solid rock with only hand tools? cant get the trencher in the spot me and my buddy are working and it's taking a long ass time lol. Also no jackhammer :(

[@ourselfreliantlife]

You're definitely right!👍

[@gazza2963]

Good to see you guys cracking on with the next build. so what are your plans for the foundations? am guess that your laying a slab down, as your digging the whole footprint out.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Gaz Underhill thanks! We were thinking about doing a slab, but we actually decided to lay down a gravel foundation. We'll definitely be doing slabs later on, but we thought gravel would be a good choice for this one.

[@gazza2963]

gravel is a good choice, plus more eco than cement :) if your laying timbers onto it then i would suggest making the gravel slightly higher than the ground level. in an ideal world you would lay some blocks down then timber. reason being when it rains the splash back doesnt hit the timber. Old tires rammed with earth can also be a substitute for the blocks. My friend built a round house in the UK with this as his foundation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqqbZZ58aLmGrsk

[@mackdickerson9322]

Swing that ax Jimmy. Ever wonder just how long that tool has been used world wide??? "Crew"!!! I love that dog. He seems a little camera shy. I know how he feels. lol.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Oh, for sure. It's definitely one that's stood the test of time. 😃Crew is one of a kind.😆👍 Thanks for watching.🙏

[@JamesCouch777]

I'm guessing that there aren't that many videos on how to swing a pickaxe but I'm willing to bet that yours is hands down the best.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! I don't know either, but I'll take it. 😁👍

[@michaeldowling5193]

I don't know about everyone else, but I was taught to never raise a tool like that over my head ,to let the weight of the tool do the work

[@persadsanjay]

Agreed

[@TheOleHermit]

Then your teacher didn't have a clue and you haven't used a pickaxe, axe, digging bar, nor sledgehammer, my friend. Jim's form is spot on. The hand nearest the head is used to thrust it into the air (like throwing a shotput) as high as one can reach from the bottom of the handle. Then, it is pulled down with as much weight and centrifugal force (circular motion) as possible.

[@payamahmad3843]

@@TheOleHermit 😂😂congrats bro you nailed it

[@sneakyguy4444]

And that would be good advice for kids. But if you look at his technique again, he is maximizing using the pick's own weight and momentum. You mostly use it if there is hard rock to deal with. You get much more power.

[@michaeldowling5193]

To the hermit, My point is one of safety not to mention that u would burn yourself out rapidly using this technique. I did use this technique as a young man and was told by the old timers why not to , the way a pickaxe is put together the head could easily come down on your head or hand that they seen it happen. Only thought I'd pass on that advice . Ps I have used every tool you mentioned

[@sprez534]

It's a mattock

[@ivyandroses4373]

Maddox

[@sprez534]

@@ivyandroses4373 wut

[@goatseverything]

why you remind of Daniel LaRusso

[@jeffstewart25]

When does he start cranking 90s?

[@janavery4634]

Good job boss

[@SuperStruct]

The Meta

[@borisbeloudus2691]

I d like to know if a steel handle pickaxe can chisel concrete for new fence posts without a jackhammer?

[@bboobb1122334455]

Eventually......maybe? I think the pick would give up before the concrete.

[@erebys21]

Wait, STEEL handle? Do you really want to destroy your hands? If you want to know how it would feel like, hit some concrete with a steel pipe.

[@beautiful80sladies22]

Keep at it fella. Consider switching hands during work. You should be able to go at it longer

[@normanbayona4636]

Useless comment, but thumbs up for having that same Deadpool tank top I have. XD

[@ourselfreliantlife]

That's not useless! That's cool! Deadpool in the house!!😀👍

[@TheOleHermit]

Jim, you sound worn out from all that pickaxe digging. Or have you simply become more of a ham in from of the camera over the past 2 years? 😜 It's great to see how both of you have grown and blossomed into the beautiful people you are.😉 Congratulations, GDP!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Definitely became more comfortable in front of the camera.

[@muzammilaamir4895]

Put Efficiency III , LOOTING III on that pickaxe

[@AustinAOkay]

Is it better with wet soil or dry soil

[@coryf.1877]

Id lean to drier than wetter myself

[@commercialconcepts2198]

I also call it a pick axe but apparently it’s a Mattock

[@joebustos6413]

Dude, that was a demo right? The flat with that round point back yonder would be more efficient. Chop skoop.

[@thegarbageman4507]

Hunh, I recognize that intro song somewhere...

[@stevenblackwell7744]

🤣

[@gprincess4012]

That looks difficult

[@PoisonedPizza]

it is

[@CoryCDS]

Back breaking work especially in clay and rock

[@TheOleHermit]

@@CoryCDS Yes. That's why I prefer the vertical lift of a digging bar. The back and body remain vertical and straight while working the arms and legs.😎

[@thebibi-sg3ze]

The Hermit you don't like it anymore ?

[@TheOleHermit]

@@thebibi-sg3ze Thank you for pointing out the double meaning of my comment. I simply meant that I don't do manual digging anymore. I'll edit out the "(used to)" part. Stay safe, friend.😎

[@xalthzdornier4805]

Never dig straight down.

[@adayinthelifeofriley4042]

All ways were a helmet if you use a pick axe

[@aubreygmcghee]

Curious why is that?

[@smallnuts2]

I dont understand why pick axe dont come in one metal piece? So the top never comes down. They make tomahawk axe in one piece.

[@SeelloBFH]

Cause metal handles are heavy and don't absorb shock very well. More of the impact gets transferred into your joints & muscles, which makes it a lot harder on your body. Composite and wood handles do a much better job at it and they tend to be lighter than metal handles too.

[@SHADOWGAMING-cw8wo]

Go for mining in 12 coordinate 😂😂

[@ambientsounds1416]

Mattock

[@grizzlycountry1030]

*THAT'S A PICK MATTOCK NOT A PICKAXE.*

[@HeyokaMushi]

Dude here ain't strong enough for a pick that size. Swinging like he's trying to bust through rock. That hole must've taken him weeks at that skill level

[@grezek]

pickax should not be over the shoulder ask and coal miner

[@donny9078]

I had to just stop this at 2:24, your technique for using the shovel is wrong, bending your back like that is going to cause you serious problems and while your hand technique for the pickaxe is correct your body technique is just as wrong as your shovel technique, try bending your knees like a squat instead of your back or kneeling is an acceptable technique. Bending your back can lead to serious back problems.

[@andrewblair1606]

Kmt 👀🤦🏽🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♂️🙄

[@michaelcome1]

Mattock not a pickaxe

[@Jumpathy]

omg they turned the pickaxe from fortnite into a real thing ;-;

[@earlrussell1026]

You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. You must love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus the anointed is Lord! Repent and be baptized and believe the Gospel.