Update...
I FINALLY got a chance to use the T-One pickaroon/hookeroon yesterday. I did leave it in it's virgin form so I could pass along an honest opinion.
The "tooth" will definitely get reshaped. It may work well in softwoods "as is", but required what I felt was excessive force to get it to "hook" in hardwood (Ash). This also caused the release to be a bit "sticky". Much like splitting knotty firewood with an axe. Not complaining by any means. At least it has sufficient material available for removal to make it better for my application. Better to have it and not need it vs. need it and not have it.
The yellow paint with the sand to add grip will stay on the handle for the time being.
The handle itself is SOLID and the head is hung well (read NO epoxy)... a rare thing these days.
I'd be hesitant about buying one online though, since grain direction is paramount, unless the seller hand picked one prior to shipping, which might be a feasible thing to request.
I'll get to try out the revised version in a couple days.
Regardless, the tool is a huge labor saver and I wouldn't/couldn't be without one.