Axe to grind

Went to the hardware shop to pick this up, and asked the owner how I should attach the head to the axe-handle.

She helpfully described the whole procedure and told me what to buy if I messed it up. She then said "So...you're needing a mattock, then?" in an are-you-sure-you-know-what-this-is? kind of way.

When I told her I needed it to tackle a stubborn root, she nodded approvingly and pointed out that the design hadn't really changed since ancient times. 

It's possible, of course, that she was telling me it was old stock.