Thanks to the AG website, I shall be exploring the merits of my mattock hoe more seriously come a bit better weather.
Several years ago I bought a medium weight one (not sure of it's blade width/weight right now) and never got on with it. Despite trying to get blade to bite rigidly on the handle, the blade frequently ended up swivelling around the handle. BUT now I know to soak the handle/blade end in water to make it swell, which I never thought of. However, thinking aloud, would soaking in some sort of oil be better (?): I always have a bit of old/used mineral oil hanging about, but it could be veg' oil alternatively.
Any thoughts please re water versus oil to make my mattock hoe's handle swell for a firm fix of the blade ?