Log store and kindling
You hold a piece in a log store or while you split kindling. You want a short, light pick, and a sheath if the box lists one. Rounds on the floor need a longer tool beside it.
Pickaroon comparison 2026
The best pickaroons, compared.
Top pick: Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon – Highest score in this set, 4.7 from 3,219 amazon.co.uk ratings at 816 g and about £51.41, with the broken-tip reports and the handle conflict left in the assessment. Best value: Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon – Sheath in the box, about £31.02, and 4.5 from 390 ratings. The 12 inch reach is for a store or kindling, not a replacement for a yard-length tool. Updated 22 October 2026.
Charlie White (Charlie DIYte)Expert source
A pickaroon is a handled spike you set into a log or a split so you can lift, drag or roll it. UK shops also say hookaroon, sappie or log pick, so the word on the title is a weak specification. Length, weight and how the head is fixed matter more. A short reach, about 30 to 45 cm, suits a log store or kindling. A yard length, about 70 to 80 cm, suits rounds on the floor. Under about 500 g carries easily and needs a clean hit. About 0.9 to 1.6 kg hits harder and punishes a miss. A head hung in a wooden eye can loosen. A fixed head or a one-piece bar does not have that wedge. Only some listings include a sheath. No British Standard for this tool turned up in the sources used here. HSE guidance still wants smaller pieces and shorter carries, and the spike does not make a heavy round safe to lift. If the head moves, stop. Length and fixing are set out in the [pickaroon buying guide](/hub/forestry-tools/pickaroon/sub/pickaroon-buying-guide).
A pickaroon is a handled spike you set into a log or a split so you can lift, drag or roll it. UK shops also say hookaroon, sappie or log pick, so the word on the title is a weak specification.
44 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +16,800 readers
12 of 12: Best pickaroons compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
9.6/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.2/10
8.8/10
8.8/10
8.2/10
8.0/10
–/10
∼ £51
∼ £70
∼ £96
∼ £80
∼ £36
∼ £35
∼ £31
∼ £48
∼ £63
∼ £35
∼ £47
∼ £20
4.7(3,219)
4.6(1,549)
4.6(285)
4.6(129)
4.6(49)
4.6(26)
4.5(390)
4.3(619)
4.3(619)
4.0(94)
3.9(38)
–
Personal buying guide
Which pickaroon fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
Where is the wood?
The best pickaroons in detail
Our view
Across 3,219 amazon.co.uk ratings the Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon scores 4.7, and reviewers use the 28 inch reach to lift logs off the floor, roll a trunk, and feed a splitter with less bending. The listing weight is 816 g at £51.41, and the toothed beak is the hold those reviews name. Only five of the 50 saved headers are from the United Kingdom, so the star line is much larger than the UK write-ups in the file. Two of those UK reviews say the tip broke or sheared, one after about 12 months of light use, and then it would not stick. The title says a non-slip grip while the specification table says wood, and the file does not resolve the two. A sheath is not listed. It is the top pick in this set on the star line and the count, with those tip failures as the limit.
Pros
- 28 inch reach for rounds on the floor and a splitter
- 4.7 from 3,219 amazon.co.uk ratings
- 816 g, lighter than the 1.3–1.6 kg picks in this set
- Toothed beak named as the hold in reviews
Cons
- Two UK reviews say the tip broke or sheared
- Title says a non-slip grip and the table says wood
- No sheath listed
- Only five UK headers in the 50-review cap
Best for: You move rounds on the ground or onto a splitter and want the largest review count in this set.
Less suitable: You need a short tool for a log store, or you want a sheath in the box.
Specifications
- Model
- Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon
- Brand
- Fiskars
- Price
- ∼£51
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(3,219)
- Length
- 71 cm
- Weight
- 816 g
- Head fixing
- Not an eye
- Handle
- Wood listed
- Head
- Boron steel
- Point
- Toothed beak
Common questions
How long is the Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon?
The title and the bullet say 28 inches. The dimension line says 78.1 cm by 21.9 cm. Item weight is 816 g.
Does this listing include a sheath?
The included-components line names the hookaroon only. A sheath is not listed.
What is the handle made of?
The title says a non-slip grip handle. The specification table says wood. The saved listing does not resolve the two.
Our view
The Fiskars WoodXpert is listed at 78.5 cm and £69.97, with 4.6 from 1,549 ratings and 27 United Kingdom headers in the 50-review cap, the densest UK sample in this set. Reviewers call it light and balanced, say the point bites with a small swing, and use it beside Fiskars tongs so they are not pinching fingers under a round. Item weight is 798 g and a bullet says 880 g, so the mass is not a single figure. UK reviews leave the storage case unused because it is too bulky to carry while you work. A light head is said to need a harder hit in heavy hardwood, and the listing itself talks about small logs. No repeated broken tip shows in the UK headers that were read.
Pros
- Stated length 78.5 cm for rounds on the ground
- 4.6 from 1,549 ratings, with 27 UK headers in the cap
- Sheath and a storage case in the box
- Curved non-slip end and a hanging hole
Cons
- £69.97, above the 28 inch Fiskars
- UK reviews call the case too bulky to carry
- Item weight 798 g and a bullet of 880 g
- Light head may need a harder hit in heavy hardwood
Best for: You want a yard-length Fiskars with a case in the box and the most UK review text in this set.
Less suitable: You want the lower price of the 28 inch Fiskars, or a case you will actually carry between cuts.
Specifications
- Model
- Fiskars WoodXpert hookaroon
- Brand
- Fiskars
- Price
- ∼£70
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,549)
- Length
- 78.5 cm
- Weight
- 798 g
- Head fixing
- Fixed head
- Sheath
- Yes
- Handle
- Glass fibre
- Head
- Hardened steel
- Point
- Serrated
- Butt
- Stop end
Common questions
How long and heavy is the WoodXpert hookaroon?
The title and the contents bullet say 78.5 cm. Item weight is 798 g and the bullet says 880 g. The head-weight field says 816 g, which is close to the whole tool.
Is there a sheath?
Yes. The listing includes a protective sheath and a storage case. UK reviews say that case is too bulky to carry while you work.
Is it for left-handed use?
The bullet says it is for right- and left-handers, and for two-handed use.
Our view
The Ochsenkopf OX 172 A-0500 is listed at 500 g and £96.29, the highest shelf price in this set, with 4.6 from 285 ratings and two United Kingdom headers in the 50-review cap. One UK review calls it light, like an ice axe, and says it becomes an extension of the arm once the angle is learned, for cord-length rounds rather than stabbing splits and lifting them. The other UK header says it does what it should. Amazon does not print an overall length. The package length is 58 cm, and the maker’s page states 535 mm and 0.45 kg, which is not the same figure as the Amazon 500 g line. The Amazon table says an aluminium blade. Do not treat that cell as the tip alloy. A sheath is not listed.
Pros
- 500 g listing weight and an aluminium handle
- 4.6 from 285 ratings
- UK review: light, and suited to cord-length rounds once the angle is learned
- Maker page states a regrindable tip on an aluminium shaft
Cons
- £96.29, the dearest row here
- Only two UK headers in the 50-review cap
- Overall length is not on the Amazon table
- Amazon blade-material cell says aluminium, which is not a tip-alloy proof
Best for: You want a light aluminium-handle sappie and you will read the maker’s 535 mm figure beside the Amazon weight.
Less suitable: You want the largest review count, a sheath, or a length you can read off the Amazon table alone.
Specifications
- Model
- Ochsenkopf OX 172 A-0500
- Brand
- Ochsenkopf
- Price
- ∼£96
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(285)
- Weight
- 500 g
- Head fixing
- Shaft fixed
- Handle
- Aluminium
- Point
- Straight edge
- Butt
- Plastic grip
Common questions
What weight does Amazon show?
Item weight is 500 g. The head-weight field says 270 grams. Package weight is 540 grams and the package length is 58 cm.
What do the UK reviews use it for?
One UK review calls it light, like an ice axe, and says cord-length rounds are the job, not stabbing split logs and lifting them. The other UK review says it does what it should.
Our view
The Oregon 536319 is a 50 cm aluminium lifting pick at 449 g and £79.99, with 4.6 from 129 ratings and seven United Kingdom headers in 38 saved reviews. UK reviewers call it light, compare it with an ice axe, and say end grain makes sizeable chunks easier to lift. One UK forestry review says it is used every day. Another UK review, written at unpacking, says it does not feel like a professional tool and questions the rivets and the handle strength. A US review says it will not enter oak except at end grain, that the tip needed sharpening, and that the head is not replaceable. The bullets claim notches for frozen wood and a stop end. The table also lists wood among the handle materials while the bullets say aluminium.
Pros
- 449 g at a stated 50 cm
- Stop end and a non-slip handle in the bullets
- 4.6 from 129 ratings, seven of them UK in the saved set
- UK reviews use it daily and on end grain
Cons
- £79.99, near the top of this set
- UK unpacking review questions the rivets and the handle
- US review: poor bite off end grain, and the head is not replaceable
- Table lists wood as well as aluminium for the handle
Best for: You want a light alloy pick with a stop end for end-grain lifts, and you already accept this price.
Less suitable: You need a cheap yard tool, a replaceable head, or proof that the notches bite frozen hardwood.
Specifications
- Model
- Oregon 536319
- Brand
- Oregon
- Price
- ∼£80
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(129)
- Length
- 50 cm
- Weight
- 449 g
- Head fixing
- Not an eye
- Handle
- Aluminium
- Point
- Notched tip
- Butt
- Stop end
Common questions
How long is the Oregon 536319 on this listing?
The style name is 50 cm and the item weight is 449 g. A UK review calls it the 500 mm version.
Does the listing claim a frozen-wood grip?
Yes. The bullets say notches for extra grip in frozen wood, and a stop end on the handle.
Our view
The KOXHERO short pick is about 14 inches and 907 g at £35.99, with 4.6 from 49 ratings and two United Kingdom headers in 21 saved reviews. Those UK reviews use it to move, drag, and lift logs before they are processed, including quite large rounds. The head-type field says hatchet and a bullet describes a hammer poll, while the title says hookaroon and pickaroon. A metal wedge is claimed, and the handle is beech. At 907 g it is heavy for a 14 inch tool next to the 272 g Fiskars. A US review calls the stamped finish rough but still functional, and a Canada review says getting the hook back out takes practice. No broken head is in the sampled headers. Buy it as a short, heavy pick, not as a hatchet for chopping.
Pros
- About 14 inches with a beech handle and a claimed metal wedge
- Two UK reviews use it to move and lift rounds
- Carrying loop and a hanging hole
- £35.99, with 4.6 from 49 ratings
Cons
- 907 g, heavy for a short pick
- Table says hatchet while the title says pickaroon
- Rough stamped finish in a US review
- Only two UK headers, and release takes practice
Best for: You want a short, heavy beech pick for rounds in the yard and you can live with a hatchet label in the table.
Less suitable: You want a light kindling pick, a proven chopping hatchet, or a large review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- KOXHERO 14 inch pickaroon
- Brand
- KOXHERO
- Price
- ∼£36
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(49)
- Length
- 36 cm
- Weight
- 907 g
- Head fixing
- Metal wedge
- Handle
- Beech
- Head
- Carbon steel
- Point
- Pick and poll
- Butt
- Hanging hole
Common questions
Is this a hatchet or a pickaroon?
The head-type field says hatchet, and a bullet describes a hammer poll. The title says hookaroon and pickaroon. Two UK reviews use it to move and lift logs and rounds.
How long is it?
The title says 14 inch. One bullet says 14 inch and 2 lb. Another says 14.5 inches overall. Item weight is 907 g.
Our view
The MichaelPro 16 inch hookaroon weighs 499 g and costs £35.00, with 4.6 from 26 ratings. Fourteen headers were saved and one is from the United Kingdom, dated 4 April 2026. That UK review praises it on wet or slippery wood and calls it light, with enough head to pick a log. US reviews say the point enters without a hard swing and that the tool is used while splitting. One US review says it is short for fireplace rounds. No repeated break appears in the headers, and included components are listed as N.A., so a sheath is not in the box. The reinforced-neck claim is a bullet, not a result from these reviews. The star line looks level with tools that have hundreds of ratings, which this file does not.
Pros
- 16 inch and 499 g at £35.00
- UK review: useful on wet or slippery wood
- Fibreglass handle
- No repeated break in the 14 saved headers
Cons
- Only 26 ratings and one UK header
- Short for fireplace rounds, in one US review
- No sheath listed
- Reinforced neck is a bullet, not a review finding
Best for: You want a short fibreglass pick around £35 and you accept a sample of 26 ratings.
Less suitable: You want a large UK review sample, a sheath, or reach for rounds on the floor.
Specifications
- Model
- MichaelPro 16 inch hookaroon
- Brand
- MichaelPro
- Price
- ∼£35
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(26)
- Length
- 42.9 cm
- Weight
- 499 g
- Head fixing
- Neck claimed
- Handle
- Fibreglass
- Head
- Carbon steel
- Point
- Chisel edge
Common questions
How heavy is the MichaelPro 16 inch?
Item weight is 499 g. A bullet also says 1.1 pounds. The handle is fibreglass and the blade material line says carbon steel.
Is a sheath included?
Included components says N.A. A sheath is not listed.
Our view
The Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon weighs 272 g and costs £31.02, with a sheath in the box and 4.5 from 390 ratings. UK reviews put it into a log store or an IBC and use it to hold a piece while kindling is split. Owners in the sample also keep a longer Fiskars for wood on the floor, which matches the repeated limit that 12 inches is too short as the only tool. One UK review says it is not essential for loading a splitter. Sharpness is praised in some headers and criticised in others, and no loose-head story repeats in the sample. It is the best value here on price, sheath, and a count that is large for a short pick.
Pros
- 272 g and a 12 inch reach for a store or for kindling
- Sheath included
- 4.5 from 390 reviews
- Plastic handle and a hardened boron steel head
Cons
- Too short for rounds on the floor
- One UK review says it is not essential at the splitter
- Sharpness is mixed across the sample
Best for: You want a light pick for a log store or for kindling, beside a longer tool if you also work on the ground.
Less suitable: Your only job is rounds lying on the floor or on the way to a splitter.
Specifications
- Model
- Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon
- Brand
- Fiskars
- Price
- ∼£31
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(390)
- Length
- 30 cm
- Weight
- 272 g
- Head fixing
- Not an eye
- Sheath
- Yes
- Handle
- Plastic
- Head
- Boron steel
- Point
- Toothed
Common questions
Is the 12 inch Fiskars light enough for one hand?
The listing weight is 272 g, with a plastic handle and a hardened boron steel head. Reviews use it in a log store and while cutting kindling, and say it is short for rounds on the floor.
Does it come with a sheath?
Yes. Included components lists a sheath.
Our view
The Forester 28 inch is a hickory pick listed at 680 g and £47.57, with a bullet that claims a 1.5 lb drop-forged head. The star line is 4.3 from 619, and the saved review text matches the 36 inch ASIN, including one United Kingdom header. That UK review says the head loosened quickly and nearly came off, and calls the tool expensive for the quality. Other headers in the shared pool describe a hickory handle that split on first use and a handle that snapped in the eye so the head flew off. Those defects are not pinned to the 28 inch length alone. Reviews that praise the pool talk about moving rounds without bending. The included-component line says axe. Stop if the head moves, and do not treat this 619 as a second sample beside the longer Forester.
Pros
- 28 inch hickory handle at £47.57
- 680 g item weight
- Reviews in the shared pool describe rolling and stacking
- Bullet claims a 1.5 lb drop-forged head
Cons
- Same 4.3 from 619 and the same review text as the 36 inch listing
- UK review: the head loosened quickly and nearly came off
- Shared pool includes a split handle and a head that left the eye
- Included-component line says axe, and no sheath is listed
Best for: You want a 28 inch hickory pick and you will check the head for play before each session.
Less suitable: You want a head that is not hung in an eye, or a rating that belongs to this length alone.
Specifications
- Model
- Forester 28 inch pickaroon
- Brand
- Forester
- Price
- ∼£48
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(619)
- Length
- 71 cm
- Weight
- 680 g
- Head fixing
- Hung head
- Handle
- Hickory
- Head
- Alloy steel
- Point
- Angled pick
Common questions
Is this the same rating as the 36 inch Forester?
Both listings show 4.3 from 619, and the saved review text matches, including one UK review that the head loosened. Treat it as one shared rating.
What is the head weight?
The bullet and the head-weight field say 1.5 pounds. Item weight is 680 g.
Our view
The Forester title length is 36 inches, the only 36 inch pick in this set, at 680 g and £62.74, with a hanging loop listed. It shows the same 4.3 from 619 as the 28 inch Forester, and the saved review text matches, so this is not a second independent sample. The shared UK review says the head loosened quickly. The dimension field prints 91.4 cm by 91.4 cm, which is not a usable width, so the title length is the figure to use. The bullet still says a 1.5 lb head while the head-weight field repeats 680 g, the weight of the whole tool. Praise in the shared file is less bending, rolling, and stacking. You pay more than the 28 inch Forester for the extra reach, on the same rating and the same loose-head warning.
Pros
- 36 inch title, the longest reach in this set
- Hanging loop listed
- 680 g, the same item weight as the 28 inch Forester
- Shared reviews describe rolling and stacking
Cons
- £62.74 for the same 4.3 from 619 as the shorter Forester
- Shared UK review: head loosened quickly
- 91.4 cm by 91.4 cm is not a usable width
- Head-weight field repeats 680 g rather than a separate head mass
Best for: You specifically want a 36 inch hickory reach and you accept that the reviews are shared with the 28 inch listing.
Less suitable: You want an independent review count, a fixed head, or the lower price of the 28 inch Forester.
Specifications
- Model
- Forester 36 inch pickaroon
- Brand
- Forester
- Price
- ∼£63
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(619)
- Length
- 91 cm
- Weight
- 680 g
- Head fixing
- Hung head
- Handle
- Hickory
- Head
- Alloy steel
- Point
- Pick
- Butt
- Hanging loop
Common questions
How long is this Forester?
The title says 36 inch. Item weight is 680 g. The dimension line says 91.4 cm by 91.4 cm, which is not a credible width, so use the title length.
Does the head-weight field add information?
It repeats 680 grams, the same as the item weight. The bullet still says a 1.5 lb drop-forged head, as on the 28 inch listing.
Our view
The Dolibest is a one-piece steel pick listed at 1.36 kg and £34.99, with a bullet length of 71 cm and a dimension line of 73 cm. The star line is 4.0 from 94 ratings, and none of the 50 saved headers is from the United Kingdom. Reviews that describe a pick say it helps rotate big logs, and also that it does not stick, needs several swings, or feels too heavy when you miss. Some other headers on the same ASIN describe a two-tip peavey with a foam grip, which is not this listing, so those lines are not features of the tool. A sheath is not listed. The curved end that is said to protect your body is a bullet only. At this weight the miss is the complaint the pick reviews name, and there is no UK write-up to separate that from the contaminated text.
Pros
- One-piece steel, so there is no hung eye to loosen
- Stated length about 71–73 cm
- £34.99
- Some reviews say it helps rotate big logs
Cons
- 1.36 kg, and reviewers call a miss too heavy
- Bite complaints: it does not stick or needs several swings
- No UK header in the 50-review cap
- Other headers on the ASIN describe a different peavey
Best for: You want a one-piece yard-length bar and you will test the bite on your own timber before you rely on it.
Less suitable: You want UK reviews, a light swing, or a listing whose review text all describes this tool.
Specifications
- Model
- Dolibest pickaroon
- Brand
- Dolibest
- Price
- ∼£35
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(94)
- Length
- 71 cm
- Weight
- 1360 g
- Head fixing
- One-piece
- Head
- Steel
- Point
- 16 cm spike
- Butt
- Curved end
Common questions
How heavy is the Dolibest?
Technical details say 1.36 kg and 73 cm by 16.31 cm by 3.3 cm. The bullet says 71 cm and a 16 cm spike, one-piece steel.
Do the reviews say it sticks?
Several saved reviews say it does not stick, is too heavy, or needs several swings. None of the 50 headers is from the United Kingdom. Some other headers describe a two-tip peavey, which is not this listing.
Our view
The Kings County pick is listed at 31.2 inches and 1.56 kg for £46.64, the heaviest tool in this set, with 3.9 from 38 ratings. The only United Kingdom header, dated 1 October 2025, says “Excellent product” and nothing else. US headers in the same file say the point is blunt, the head sat crooked on a half-driven wedge, and in two cases the head broke off, once on first use and once on second use. The included-component line says log grapple. A duck-bill tip is a bullet, not a measurement. One review says it works better in soft wood than in hardwood. The mass will hit harder than a 272 g pick, and the head failures in the US text are why this row sits at the bottom of the scored listings.
Pros
- 31.2 inch hickory handle for yard reach
- 1.56 kg if you want a heavy swing
- One UK header is positive, in a single line
- A US review says the wood handle can be replaced
Cons
- 3.9 from 38 ratings, the lowest star line in the set
- US reviews: blunt point, crooked hang, head broke off
- Only one UK header, and it has no detail
- Included-component line says log grapple, and no sheath is listed
Best for: You already know you want a heavy 31 inch hickory pick and you will inspect the wedge before the first swing.
Less suitable: You want a fixed head, a sharp point out of the box, or more than one detailed UK review.
Specifications
- Model
- Kings County pickaroon
- Brand
- Kings County Tools
- Price
- ∼£47
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(38)
- Length
- 80 cm
- Weight
- 1560 g
- Head fixing
- Wedge noted
- Handle
- Hickory
- Head
- Alloy steel
- Point
- Duck-bill
Common questions
What length and weight are listed?
The title says 31.2 inch. Dimensions are 80 cm by 17.8 cm. Item weight is 1.56 kg. The handle bullet says American hickory.
What do reviews say about the head?
The only UK header says excellent. US headers in the same file say the point is blunt, the head sat crooked, and in two cases the head broke off.
Our view
This 16.5 inch hookaroon has no brand field. The manufacturer line is Hangzhou Fittools, and the shelf price is £19.99. Technical details say 997.9 g and 41.91 cm. The bullet claims a one-piece C45 steel head, a hardness of HRC 45–52, and a plastic-coated fibreglass handle. There is no Customer Reviews line and no review text in the saved listing, so there is no report of bite, balance, or a loose head. The hardness figure is a bullet, not a test we can cite. A sheath is not listed. The gap versus the Fiskars 12 inch at £31.02 is that missing rating, not a measured saving once the tool is in the wood.
Pros
- £19.99, the lowest shelf price in the set
- 16.5 inch one-piece claim
- Bullet names a plastic-coated fibreglass handle
Cons
- No star line and no review text
- No brand field
- Hardness and steel grade are bullets, not a test
- About 1 kg, with no sheath listed
Best for: You are comparing the bottom of the price list and you will not treat a missing rating as a recommendation.
Less suitable: You want any UK review, a known brand, or a sheath before you carry a spike.
Specifications
- Model
- 16.5 inch hookaroon
- Brand
- n/a
- Price
- ∼£20
- Length
- 41.9 cm
- Weight
- 997.9 g
- Head fixing
- One-piece
- Handle
- Coated glass
- Head
- C45 claimed
- Point
- Angled hook
Common questions
Is there a star rating?
The saved listing has no Customer Reviews line and no review text. Price is £19.99.
What is it made of, according to the listing?
The bullet says a one-piece C45 carbon steel head and a plastic-coated fibreglass handle. Technical details say 997.9 g and 41.91 cm long. The bullet also says 2.2 lb (1010 g).
How we compared
Twelve pickaroons were scored from amazon.co.uk shelf prices in the saved listings of 19 October 2026 and from the star line times 20. A missing Customer Reviews line scores 0. Sample size, a shared parent rating, a thin UK header count, a broken tip and a loose head stay in the assessment. They are not a second subtraction. Best value is the other listing with a sheath, a price at or under £36, and at least 200 ratings. Length cells are centimetres: a printed centimetre figure when the listing states a length, otherwise the inch title times 2.54, rounded to the nearest centimetre. The Fiskars 28 inch and 12 inch dimension lines disagree with those titles, so the table uses the title and the assessment keeps both. This desk did not swing any tool. There is no British Standard score. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9, is the satisfactory-quality rule for a consumer sale. Prices move.
1
Length
25%About 30 to 45 cm suits a log store or kindling. About 70 to 80 cm suits rounds on the ground. A 36 inch title is longer than that yard band. One length does not cover both jobs.
2
Head fixing
25%A head hung in a wooden eye can loosen or leave the handle. A fixed head or a one-piece bar does not have that wedge. A loose head means stop. A broken tip is recorded in the assessment, not as a second score cut.
3
Mass
20%Under about 500 g carries easily and needs a clean hit. About 0.9 to 1.6 kg hits harder and punishes a miss. Item weight is the figure in the table when a bullet disagrees.
4
Stars and sample
20%The published score is the amazon.co.uk star line times 20. A 4.6 from 26 ratings and a 4.6 from 1,549 ratings therefore share a score. Read the assessment before you treat those rows as equal. The two Forester listings share one parent rating.
5
Sheath
10%Only two listings state a sheath or a case. A bulky case that UK reviews will not carry is not the same as a sheath you keep on the spike between cuts. A missing sheath line is not proof a sheath is in the box.
Independent review
Last updated: 22 October 2026
8 sources checked
Pickaroon buying guide
Choose length for the job before the star rating. Then check how the head is fixed, what the tool weighs, and whether a sheath is actually listed. The notes below follow the amazon.co.uk listings in this set and the public UK sources at the end of the page.
What is in this pickaroon comparison?
A pickaroon is a handled spike you set into a log or a split so you can lift, drag or roll wood that is already on the ground. UK listings also say hookaroon, sappie or log pick. The twelve amazon.co.uk rows here run from a 12 inch store tool to a 36 inch hickory title, and from 272 g to 1.56 kg. Shelf prices in the saved listings of 19 October 2026 run from about £19.99 to about £96.29. Nothing on this page is a lab swing. Length comes first, as a rule of thumb.
Best for
- A log store or kindling, with a short light pick
- Rounds on the ground, including the walk to a splitter
- A light alloy pick with a stop end for end-grain lifts
Not ideal for
- A hung or tensioned tree, or a stack that has shifted
- Anyone who counts the two Forester star lines as two samples
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
One length for every job
A 12 inch pick suits a store or kindling. It is too short as the only tool for rounds on the floor. A yard-length pick is awkward in a log store. Buy the length for the job you actually do.
- 2
Counting the Forester stars twice
Both Forester lengths show 4.3 from 619, and the saved review text matches. That is one parent rating. The 36 inch row is extra reach on the same star line, not a second sample of 619.
- 3
A hardness bullet, or stars as a safety test
A hardness number in a bullet is not a test. The star line is not a lab result and not a lifting limit. HSE still wants smaller pieces and shorter carries. If the head moves, stop.
What to weigh up
Length
HighLength follows the job, as a rule of thumb rather than a trial on this desk. About 30 to 45 cm suits a log store or kindling. That is the Fiskars 12 inch, the MichaelPro 16 inch and the KOXHERO around 14 inches. About 70 to 80 cm suits rounds on the ground. That is the Fiskars 28 inch, the WoodXpert stated at 78.5 cm and the Dolibest stated at 71 cm. Only the Forester title is 36 inches. The Ochsenkopf Amazon table does not print an overall length.
Head fixing and mass
HighHung hickory, on the Forester listings and the Kings County pick, loosens or snaps in the saved reviews. Stop if the head moves. A proper rehang is not another swing. The Fiskars, MichaelPro, Oregon and Ochsenkopf listings are not described as an axe wedge. Two UK reviews still say the Fiskars 28 inch tip broke or sheared, so a fixed head is not a promise that the point lasts. The Dolibest and the 16.5 inch listing claim one-piece steel.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Rounds on the ground
You lift, roll or feed rounds that are already down, including on the way to a splitter. You want yard-length reach and you will read the tip and handle notes before you rely on the star line.
End grain and a stop end
You already pair tongs with a hook and you want a light alloy pick with a stop end. The listing claims notches for frozen wood. That claim is a bullet, not a trial on your hardwood.
Common questions about pickaroons
What is a pickaroon?
A pickaroon is a handled spike you set into a log or a split so you can lift, drag or roll it. UK shops also say hookaroon, sappie or log pick. Those names are not a specification. Length, weight and how the head is fixed decide whether it suits a log store or rounds on the ground. Cant hooks and tongs are different tools. No listing here was lab-tested.
Which pickaroon is the top pick for 2026?
The top pick is the Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon at about £51.41. It has the highest score here, 4.7 from 3,219 amazon.co.uk ratings, at 816 g. Two UK reviews say the tip broke or sheared, and the title says a non-slip grip while the table says wood. Best value is the Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon at about £31.02, with a sheath and 4.5 from 390 ratings. It is too short as the only tool for rounds on the floor.
How much does a pickaroon cost on amazon.co.uk?
Shelf prices in the saved listings of 19 October 2026 run from about £19.99 to about £96.29. About £20 to £36 covers a 16.5 inch listing with no star line, the Fiskars 12 inch at about £31.02, and short picks around £35. About £47 to £70 includes the Fiskars 28 inch at about £51.41. About £80 to £96 is the Oregon 536319 at about £79.99 and the Ochsenkopf OX 172 A-0500 at about £96.29. A dealer price ex VAT is not the Amazon shelf price. Prices move.
What length of pickaroon should you buy?
Choose length for the job, as a rule of thumb rather than a measured trial. About 30 to 45 cm suits a log store or kindling. About 70 to 80 cm suits rounds on the ground. The only 36 inch title here is longer than that yard band. A short tool will not replace a yard-length one for wood on the floor, and a long one is awkward in a store. Where the title and a dimension line disagree, keep both figures rather than averaging them.
Is a hookaroon different from a pickaroon?
On these amazon.co.uk listings, hookaroon and pickaroon are not two specifications. Shops also say sappie and log pick for a handled spike that lifts or rolls wood. The point still differs: a toothed beak, a chisel edge, a notched tip or a heavier poll. One short listing’s table says hatchet while the title and the UK reviews describe a pick. Cant hooks and tongs are different tools. The name alone does not tell you the length.
Are the two Forester star lines separate samples?
No. The 28 inch and the 36 inch Forester listings both show 4.3 from 619, and the saved review text matches, including one UK review that the head loosened. Count that as one parent rating, not two samples. The 36 inch title is the longer reach, at a higher shelf price, on the same star line. The 28 inch included-component line says axe. Praise in that shared file is about rolling and stacking with less bending.
Does a pickaroon replace a log splitter?
A pickaroon moves a round. It does not split it. Once the wood is at the machine, a log splitter does the splitting. Reviewers of the longer picks mention feeding a splitter with less bending. A 12 inch tool is what UK reviews place in a log store, and one UK review says that short pick is not essential at the splitter. The spike does not change how heavy a piece you can safely carry.
When should you stop and get help?
Stop if the head moves, loosens or leaves the handle. Get help when a tree is hung or under tension, when a round is more than you can move without twisting, or when a stack has shifted. HSE agriculture guidance screens a close lift at about 25 kg and still wants smaller pieces and shorter carries. At work, PUWER 1998 requires a suitable, maintained tool. LOLER’s forestry page covers machines, not this hand tool. A hung head needs a proper rehang.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon: the highest amazon.co.uk star line in this set, 4.7 from 3,219 ratings, at 816 g and about £51.41. Two UK reviews say the tip broke or sheared, and the handle line conflicts. The best value is the Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon at about £31.02. It is the other listing with a sheath, a shelf price at or under £36, and at least 200 ratings (4.5 from 390). It is too short as the only tool for rounds on the floor.
Best overallView offer
Fiskars 28 inch hookaroon
Highest score in this set, 4.7 from 3,219 amazon.co.uk ratings at 816 g and about £51.41, with the broken-tip reports and the handle conflict left in the assessment.
Best value
View offer
Fiskars 12 inch hookaroon
Sheath in the box, about £31.02, and 4.5 from 390 ratings. The 12 inch reach is for a store or kindling, not a replacement for a yard-length tool.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsamazon.co.uk listingsPublic UK sources
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: 22 October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to pickaroons
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Pickaroon buying guideLength, head fixing, mass and a sheath.Best pickaroonsWho the top pick and the best value are for, and who should skip each.How to use a pickaroonSet the point, move the wood, release it, and stop if the head moves.Pickaroon or hookaroonWhether the two names are two tools, or only a difference in the point.Pickaroon for firewoodRounds, splits, a splitter and a log store.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public sources from the research digest. Shelf prices are the amazon.co.uk figures in the saved listings of 19 October 2026.
- HSE: Manual handling in agriculture (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE: Safe working with timber (WIS2) (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE: PUWER overview (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE: LOLER and forestry (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Ochsenkopf OX 172 A-0500 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Oregon lifting pick 536319 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- Arbtalk: lifting tongs and a hookaroon (retrieved 22 October 2026)
Expert source (DIY & tools): Charlie White (Charlie DIYte) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The order follows amazon.co.uk listings, review counts and the public sources below. The commission does not set the scores. The amazon.co.uk tag is pcuk26-21.