I don't think adding a Scrapper's Pickaxe is the best way to do scrapping, especially since Metal Scrap doesn't appear as loot until Level 9.
I'll second that. I'd like to get into this mod right away in all my playthroughs, but that isn't possible when Metal Scrap is essential. Is it possible to make all 1H Hammers and Axes count as craft hammers and 1H swords and daggers count as cutting tools?
Speaking of which, do rare materials drop when salvaging rare gear like blues and purples?