A pickaxe is a tool with a hard head attached perpendicular to the handle, similar to a pick. One edge is pointed and the other chiseled. The spike is most commonly made of metal, and the handle is most commonly wood or metal.

The pointed edge is most often used to break up rocky surfaces. The large momentum of a heavy pickaxe, combined with the small contact area, makes it very effective for this purpose.

The chiseled edge is used for cutting through roots.

Its handler, without the head, is often used as a baton.

See also: pick, ice-pick .