So sorry to butt in, but I can only take so much.
The mattock is by far the worst tool available for excavation. The fact that they are easily available commercialy in bulk and have been amassed for years by 'long' established outfits by no means indicates appropriateness.
Much better alternatives can be found -I have not used a mattock for excavation in years. My tools allow me dig faster, more accurately, and with higher rates of artefact recovery than I ever did using a McCrappock.
In particular, THIS - " by holding it nearer the head.....using a careful legs spread stance with the shaft between your legs" is guaranteed to cause back problems.
(also make sure your shirt is long enough, and your pants adequate B= :O )
I wont go into details (MY tools, NO, you cant have them!), but one element is a moderately small headed pick (from a small hardware store), hafted myself on a medium/long shaft - this is the closest I now use to a mattock. The results speak for themselves.
I note that 'vintage' mattocks (not easily commercially available) come with a range of head sizes, mostly smaller/lighter than those from e.g. Screwfix or Homebase. Also, Please, please note the vast variety of 'hoes' used in archaeology and elsewhere around the world - whole range of sizes, styles, weights, and applications (never, ever bother with the 'English garden hoe' - it really is just for weeding).
If you think about it, do a bit of research, a keep a keen eye open, you can find much better tools - but I am not doing the research for you.
(I might respond to PMs from genuine newbies who want advice - the rest of you should know better by now, or are beyond redemption)
BTW: dig clay with a McCrappock...REALLY?!!! - do NOT do it. If it is malleable, carve it, e.g. with a spade. It its baked hard, stop for a moment, look at the McCrappock, look again, remember that you are not a total idiot, and then get a better tool.
It is bad enough for anybody starting out in this 'profession' - don’t hamper them with shite tools as well.
["Why have you both got trowels in your hands?" - because we are not ignorant lumpen numpties.]
PS
cleaning by mattock LOL (ffs)- i guess, with the right mix of desperation and necessity (sorry i mean "practice"), a brick, a stoat, and IFA membership card can all be used for all aspects of precision excavation. And can also be used to build a club house for weasel-like corporate lobbyists, if that pickles your fancy - could look like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjJe7D090E
anyway,
RIGHT TOOLS 4 THE JOB PEOPLE PLEASE (really...)
The mattock is by far the worst tool available for excavation. The fact that they are easily available commercialy in bulk and have been amassed for years by 'long' established outfits by no means indicates appropriateness.
Much better alternatives can be found -I have not used a mattock for excavation in years. My tools allow me dig faster, more accurately, and with higher rates of artefact recovery than I ever did using a McCrappock.
In particular, THIS - " by holding it nearer the head.....using a careful legs spread stance with the shaft between your legs" is guaranteed to cause back problems.
(also make sure your shirt is long enough, and your pants adequate B= :O )
I wont go into details (MY tools, NO, you cant have them!), but one element is a moderately small headed pick (from a small hardware store), hafted myself on a medium/long shaft - this is the closest I now use to a mattock. The results speak for themselves.
I note that 'vintage' mattocks (not easily commercially available) come with a range of head sizes, mostly smaller/lighter than those from e.g. Screwfix or Homebase. Also, Please, please note the vast variety of 'hoes' used in archaeology and elsewhere around the world - whole range of sizes, styles, weights, and applications (never, ever bother with the 'English garden hoe' - it really is just for weeding).
If you think about it, do a bit of research, a keep a keen eye open, you can find much better tools - but I am not doing the research for you.
(I might respond to PMs from genuine newbies who want advice - the rest of you should know better by now, or are beyond redemption)
BTW: dig clay with a McCrappock...REALLY?!!! - do NOT do it. If it is malleable, carve it, e.g. with a spade. It its baked hard, stop for a moment, look at the McCrappock, look again, remember that you are not a total idiot, and then get a better tool.
It is bad enough for anybody starting out in this 'profession' - don’t hamper them with shite tools as well.
["Why have you both got trowels in your hands?" - because we are not ignorant lumpen numpties.]
PS
cleaning by mattock LOL (ffs)- i guess, with the right mix of desperation and necessity (sorry i mean "practice"), a brick, a stoat, and IFA membership card can all be used for all aspects of precision excavation. And can also be used to build a club house for weasel-like corporate lobbyists, if that pickles your fancy - could look like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjJe7D090E
anyway,
RIGHT TOOLS 4 THE JOB PEOPLE PLEASE (really...)