A pick tool (100) comprising a strike member (110) non-moveably attached to a pick body (120), the strike member comprising a strike structure. The strike structure comprises super-hard material and defines a planar strike surface (112), the strike surface defining a cutting edge (114) that includes an apex (115) in the plane of the strike surface (112). The thickness of at least a proximate volume (107) of the strike structure adjacent the cutting edge (114) is at least about 2 millimeters.

A bolster for a degradation pick includes a transverse cross section that is non-circular. Non-circular cross sections include square, triangular, hexagonal and other shapes. The bolster is made from a wear and/or erosion resistant material. The wear and/or erosion resistant material helps to protect the shank of the degradation pick. The bolster has a matching shape to the shape of the shank of the degradation pick.

A pick assembly is provided, comprising a bit assembly and a holder assembly; the bit assembly comprising a bit support body, a fastener mechanism and a deflectable member, cooperatively configured such the deflectable member can be deflected responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body to the fastener mechanism. The holder assembly comprises a holder body and is configured for accommodating and retaining the bit assembly by interference means. The holder assembly and bit assembly are cooperatively configured such that the retention of the bit assembly by the holder assembly by interference means can be progressively increased responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body with the fastener mechanism when the bit assembly is accommodated by the holder assembly, operative to prevent substantial movement of the bit support body relative to the holder body in use.

A bolster for a degradation pick includes a transverse cross section that is non-circular. Non-circular cross sections include square, triangular, hexagonal and other shapes. The bolster is made from a wear and/or erosion resistant material. The wear and/or erosion resistant material helps to protect the shank of the degradation pick. The bolster has a matching shape to the shape of the shank of the degradation pick.

A rotatable cutting tool includes a cutting tool body with a head portion. A bolster is at least partially received in the head portion and includes a socket, a collar portion and a shank portion. The socket is formed with a conical side wall and a radius blend. A hard tip or cutting insert is at least partially received in the socket and includes a conical head portion, a collar portion and an axially rearward frustoconical portion that generally conforms to the geometry of the socket of the bolster. The shank portion of the bolster provides a narrow bottom style geometry and the axially rearward frustoconical portion of the cutting insert provides a tapered geometry that together increases the strength of a braze joint between the bolster and the base portion, thereby reducing forces and stresses transmitted to the cutting tool during a machining operation.