Pickaxe

Where to find it

Chance that one search turns one up. Loot gets better as you level up (in co-op, the lowest level in the group counts).

Crafting

Craft one in Bag → Craft from 2× Planks + 3× Scrap Metal + 4× Nails (4 XP)

What it's for

What you can use it on

• The infected — all of them. How many swings that takes depends on your MELEE skill, what you are wearing and what you are buffed on, so nobody can put a number on it.
• Rocks for stone, and metal things — cars, bins, streetlights — for metal and scrap. See Breaking things.
• A heavy weapon — slower, and it staggers what it hits, which buys you the step back.
• It reaches further than most, so you can hit first.