FAQ

How did the "patiche" get its name? How is it pronounced?

You may have tried looking up the word "patiche" (pronounced "pah-TEESH") only to find that it doesn’t exist! Up until just recently, we thought it was French for "handpick," based on what Larry Ingalls called his original prototype. At the time Larry developed the first prototype in 1985, he was working with French- and Arabic-speaking crew members at dig sites in the Middle East. So when he told us that’s what it was called, we simply took his word for it, and the name has prevailed.

How do I place my order?

Go to the "Store" tab on this website, click on the product(s) you want to purchase, specify the quantities of each product, and then click on the rectangular "Add To Cart" button. After you have made your selection(s), click on the "Cart" tab, and then the "Checkout" button. You will be asked to provide your email address (which will be used to send your receipt and notifications about your order), your shipping address and payment method (all major credit cards are accepted). You will then have the opportunity to review your order before placing it. Once the order ships, you will receive an email with the tracking number and the expected delivery date.

What is the time frame between when I place my order and when it ships?

If we receive your order Monday through Friday by noon Pacific Time, and if it is an order for one or two items, it will usually ship out the same day. Orders received over the weekend will go out either Monday or Tuesday of the following week. This time frame will vary depending upon the quantity of items you order, and you will be kept informed of your order’s status throughout the process.

Do you ship anywhere in the world?

We only ship to addresses within the United States. Please contact our distributor at forestry-suppliers.com to order our products to be delivered to an international destination, including Canada and Mexico.

I placed my order, but your website is not adding in the cost of shipping and handling.

This will usually happen in cases where you have ordered more than one of any item, or a combination of items (for instance, a viking mattock and one or two patiches). If S&H has not automatically been added to your order, you will be contacted by email as soon as we determine what the additional charges will be. Then we will send you a Request for Payment through PayPal for the additional S&H. Once payment is received, your order will ship.

Can I specify a different delivery address for my order?

Yes! This is especially handy if you are sending your purchase as a gift. Shipping and handling rates will apply to the zip code of the delivery address. If the order is to be a gift, let us know by email and we will only include a packing slip with the order that specifies you as the sender. That way your gift recipient does not need to know the cost of the gift, but will know that it was you who sent it. You can also request that we email you the invoice separately.

What options are available for shipping?

For most orders, we use the USPS Priority Mail method, which usually delivers within 2–3 business days. We have also used UPS and FedEx. These methods are generally used for larger orders, but can be specified in cases where a postal delivery address is not an option. Please contact us by email and we will work with you to satisfy your request.

I banged up the blade side of one of my patiches while removing rocks this summer and the edge is a bit mangled and not as flat as I would like it to be anymore. Do you recommend any particular method for fixing that?

If you will return the damaged item to us at your expense, we can usually refurbish it for you and only charge you for the return freight. Please note that this may alter the dimensions of your patiche head in the process of grinding off and smoothing any damaged areas. Prior to sending us your tool, please email us describing what has happened to cause the damage, along with photos, and we will advise you on how to proceed from there.

I broke the handle on one of my patiches. Do you sell just the handle and can I replace it myself?

Yes, we do sell individual handles which come with the necessary amount of steel wedges so that you can replace the broken handle with the new one. You can also return the item with the broken handle to us at your expense. We will then replace the handle with a new one and can usually refurbish the pick head for you at the same time. You will be charged only for the cost of the handle plus the return freight. The best thing to do in this case is to contact us first by email to let us know about your particular situation, as we don’t sell individual handles through our website.