Last Updated on January 31, 2023 by John Patterson
If you are not new to the woodworking world, I guess you are quite known to hookaroon and pickaroon.
But if you are new or somehow don’t know about them, then you are certainly in the right place.
The core difference between a hookaroon and a pickaroon is close to none.
However, a subtle difference between them forced me to write this article on hookaroon vs pickaroon.
They have a difference in their shape and outcome.
Being said that, their use is pretty identical.
So, let’s fire away.
Table of Contents
Hookaroon vs Pickaroon
First, I am going to discuss pickaroon and hookaroon briefly. In due course, you will know which one is best for you under which circumstances.
Pickaroon and uses
What is a pickaroon, and what is its use of it?
In short, it is a woodworking tool mainly used for stacking, dragging, and rearranging wood, loading and unloading logs from the vehicle, etc. You can also use it while cutting wood.
Meaning pickaroon helps you move wood from one place to another or picking them up without letting you bend over to do the task.
How is the shape of a pickaroon?
Well, it looks pretty similar to a hammer or ax. The handle of a pickaroon is typically made of wood, and the head is made of steel.
Their handle is long enough to get a good grip while you are working.
The shape of the head is a combination of a wedge and protruding spike. This spike lets it bite the wood and helps you to relocate the wood comfortably.
When choosing a pickaroon, considering the length of the handle is essential.
Why?
Look, the main objective of using this tool is to pick the wood without bending over.
If you use a too-short handle relative to your height, it won’t serve the purpose.
On the other hand, a too-long handle won’t come in handy either.
If you see the standard size of pickaroon handle is not the right fit for you, then you can always use a custom handle.
After the length, you need to consider the handle material.
Typically you will find the wooden handle, but this is not the only option. Wood is dense and requires you to store it appropriately during the hot season.
You can use any lightweight metal like composite to make the handle of a pickaroon.
Next, let’s focus on the head.
Using rust-free material is the key to making a pickaroon head to ensure the tool’s longevity.
That means using a quality head is essential to get the best result.
The shape, particularly the tip of the head, can vary. The spike can be straight or slightly bent at the tip.
Remember, a super thick tip can cause trouble while lifting the wood upwards. It won’t grip well, and the wood will slip off.
You have to apply enough force to avoid slipping off in that case.
Our recommended Best Pickaroons on Amazon:
[amazon box=”B07NGJ5XTB, B004HL039G, B00I4AK1X4″]Now, let’s point out some of the upsides and downsides of pickaroons.
Pickaroon
Pros
- It helps you to lift, drag, stack, or rearrange wood comfortably.
- You can customize the handle based on your requirements.
- You can change the head too.
- Not a massive tool to deal with.
- The ideal option to deal with a light piece of wood.
Cons
- If the head is super thick, you must apply extra force to stick the pickaroon with the wood. Otherwise, the wood may slip off.
Hookaroon and uses
As I said earlier, the difference between hookaroon and pickaroon is very minimum. You can use these tools interchangeably.
Hookaroon is one kind of pickaroon I should say.
While the use of a hookaroon is the same as a pickaroon, the core difference is on the tip of the head.
The shape of the head is pretty similar to the shape of pickaroon.
However, the spike is more hook-shaped in the case of a hookaroon. Meaning it bends inwards on the tip of the head. That’s why we call it ‘hook’aroon.
What is the benefit of this shape?
Well, it helps the tool to bite the wood more accurately so that the chance of wood slipping becomes almost zero. Meaning here, you are getting a good grasp of the tool.
However, if you apply extra force while using a hookaroon, the wood might get stuck with the spike.
Choosing a hookaroon is similar to the consideration I talked about in the case of a pickaroon.
You need to pick the right length of the handle. Like pickaroon, you can customize the hookaroon handle too.
The only thing you need to keep in mind when making a custom head is to keep the head thin and bend the spike to get a better grasp. Otherwise, it will turn into a pickaroon instead.
Our recommended Best Hookaroons on Amazon:
[amazon box=”B01LYA0T9B, B000UOHFUO, B004HIC1P8, B01LZ94I4F”]So what are the pros and cons of hookaroon?
Hookaroon
Pros
- Like the pickaroon, this tool will help you to avoid bending over while stacking or dragging wood.
- This time you will get better control over the wood as the hook shape of the spike provides a better grasp.
- Like a pickaroon, you can customize the handle and the head.
- Usually lighter than a pickaroon as in most cases the head is thin in the case of a hookaroon.
- Picking dense wood is a cakewalk using this tool.
Cons
- If you apply extra force while picking up the wood, it might get stuck with the hookaroon.
Hookaroon vs Pickaroon – Which one is the Best?
This is a tough question to answer.
As you can see, the use of both Hookaroon and Pickaroon is the same, and you can always customize the tools as per your needs.
Nonetheless, it would be best if you chose a hookaroon while working with massive pieces of wood.
Why so?
As I said, hookaroon provides a better grasp due to the shape of its head.
You can use pickaroon only when dealing with light pieces of wood.
I always prefer hookaroon to pickaroon. Because I get better control using a hookaroon than a pickaroon, applying less energy is ok with this tool.
Final Words
Both are handy woodworking tools to help you avoid bending over and save your energy and time.
I pointed out the use of these tools with some upsides and downsides.
I believe I was able to clear the air regarding hookaroon vs pickaroon debate.
What else do you want to know? Comment below to get in touch.
Related Reading:
#1. Dead Blow Hammer and Rubber Mallet Differences
