Customer Reviews

V&B Mfg Co 861-01MP 16" Mini Pick

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This little pick is invaluable to the concrete flatwork formsetter for digging under stringlines and prying forms up and into place. Also handy for stripping forms. Highly recommended.

I bought this handy little pick mainly because my grandmother wouldn't let me have my grandpa's trenching pick. So I tried to order a new one from military surplus but the quality of the tool had died since the 50's when my grandpa got his. Through faulty quality it broke in a matter of days in a flowerbed (would have hated to see a solider actually dig a trench with it) So I searched for a small pick with similar design, size, and weight. Here is my reveiw:

Design: 3/5 The spade end works well but would have liked it to be a little longer (handy in digging and prying items like plants or rocks up from the earth). Also if the spade end had been dished so you could lift the dirt out instead of just draging it would have been nice. The pick end is flat so it does not penetrate as well as a rounded one and is useless when trying to make holes to plant seeds. I also got this to take on hikes to dig saplings for transplant but have not had the opportunity to use it for this yet

Size: 5/5 The handle is a little longer than the trencher of my grandpa's but it is still easy to use when sitting or kneeling down. I bought mine for the express reason of working in my flower bed, my garden and if I ever go out to dig saplings for transplant.

Weight: 5/5 Well balanced and heavy enough to dig well but light enough for ease of use and carry.

Durability: 5/5 Had it for over a year and even with the most punishing jobs the handle stayed solid and the head itself has so far held up.

Overall: 4/5 There are things about it that make me miss using my grandpa's trencher but it has proved usefull and durable enough that I use it every time I'm in my flower bed or garden (though I now carry a small shovel with me too. Can't always drag the dirt back from the hole.)

I searched for a long time for a quality pick like this. I metal detect in Southern Illinois and the ground has been almost like concrete. The pick I had been useing had been broken and welded several times and just could not stand up to the soil conditions. This is the first pick that has stood up to all my digging requirements! I love it.
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My garden is is central Florida, I work full time, so large woody weeds and thick patches of grass frequently need to be removed. This tool makes quick, easy work of it. It is well balanced for my 5'2" frame. Love it.