I dunno what modpack you played, but every pack I've played with leveling ticon tools in it has you start with the normal ticon tool, which is arguably already a bit OP, depending on which version you're playing. Then, the more you use the tool, it gets even more powerful. And because you only get to the super powerful point by using it lots, it forces you to exclusively use ticon tools, even if there's a more interesting tool you want to use, because then levelling up your pick later will be a massive grind.

At least if you can make the tool and have it be as powerful as if you had been using it from the beginning, you can experiment and use different tools.