A quality Kusakichi Pick Mattock hand hoe forged in one solid head piece. Made of high carbon steel, the blade is very sharp & cuts tough weeds & roots with ease. The pick hoe is also good for cultivating soil. The blade is  slightly curved which helps dig into the soil easily. The blade also easily resharpens when the need arises. It is also a good idea to tap in the wedge on the top of the handle occasionally, since the hardwood handle may expand & shrink over time due to moisture. Kusakichi - Yoshida Hamano.    

About Carbon Steel

High carbon steel is tougher & harder than stainless steels, making it ideal & desirable for applications where durability is required & where frequent regrinding is needed. Carbon steels are more durable & have razor-sharp edges, & is easy to re-sharpen as well when the need arises.