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Post by perkins17 on Aug 3, 2021 18:43:13 GMT -5
I intend to purchase a rock hammer/pick for Rockhounding and was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a small/medium rock hammer. I am also in the market for a pickaxe and chisels. I have heard estwing it a good brand. Is that true? Thanks in advance.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Aug 3, 2021 18:51:22 GMT -5
Estwing for sure ... They have a great guarantee...
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 3, 2021 18:57:12 GMT -5
Estwing for sure ... They have a great guarantee... Definitely Estwing. Just remember, the hammer is not for breaking rocks into pieces!! |
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 3, 2021 19:01:51 GMT -5
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Aug 3, 2021 21:32:42 GMT -5
Estwing for sure. I like the larger Geo/Paleo for mine dumps and more dirt oriented digging but having the regular Estwing rock hammer is vital too.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 3, 2021 21:44:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice quartzilla! I might get the smaller rock hammer (22 ounces I think). |
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Post by oregon on Aug 3, 2021 23:21:04 GMT -5
Estwing is fine, have several. But Vaughan is another option. I picked up an old one, used it to death, But I have to say that that pick is still sharper than my several basic Estwings, ymmv, but I have a sense that it didn't wear down as fast as my estwings. Might be the vintage steel? Not as prevalent, but a fine option if you come across one. Be curious if anyone else has used a Vaughan pick over the years? thoughts?
Anyone ever try sharpening a pick?
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 4, 2021 0:13:20 GMT -5
Estwing is fine, have several. But Vaughan is another option. I picked up an old one, used it to death, But I have to say that that pick is still sharper than my several basic Estwings, ymmv, but I have a sense that it didn't wear down as fast as my estwings. Might be the vintage steel? Not as prevalent, but a fine option if you come across one. Be curious if anyone else has used a Vaughan pick over the years? thoughts? Anyone ever try sharpening a pick? Rock picks are purposely from a softer, less brittle tool steel, the idea being that wearing is better than breaking. The softer steel also is more likely to pop a window out of a specimen without spider webbing the point of impact. Hand picks are really intended for fairly light work, if you know you will need to engage in some serious minimg then a miners pick, along with a crack hammer, chisels, and a wedge or two better be in the truck too. |
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 4, 2021 0:32:11 GMT -5
Thanks Rockoonz! That makes a lot of sense. |
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Post by rmf on Aug 4, 2021 3:53:13 GMT -5
perkins17 There are three basic types of hammers a rock nut might want. The chisel end which is a brick layers type of hammer. The traditional rock hammer with a point and the ever popular crack hammer. Estwing makes multiple weights in hammers some smaller for smaller people and then the larger size. Crack hammers come from 2 - 4 lbs. These are great for chisels. Estwing make a premium product and charges a premium price. Sometimes cheaper wood handled versions are available at Harbor Freight, Great Northern, ACE HW, etc. The Estwing pic/mattox is also a hard to beat tool if they are still making it. Fiskars 5-lb Composite-Handle Forged Steel Garden Pick at Lowes for $50 is about the same.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 4, 2021 12:29:13 GMT -5
perkins17 There are three basic types of hammers a rock nut might want. The chisel end which is a brick layers type of hammer. The traditional rock hammer with a point and the ever popular crack hammer. Estwing makes multiple weights in hammers some smaller for smaller people and then the larger size. Crack hammers come from 2 - 4 lbs. These are great for chisels. Estwing make a premium product and charges a premium price. Sometimes cheaper wood handled versions are available at Harbor Freight, Great Northern, ACE HW, etc. The Estwing pic/mattox is also a hard to beat tool if they are still making it. Fiskars 5-lb Composite-Handle Forged Steel Garden Pick at Lowes for $50 is about the same. Thank you! |
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Post by Mel on Aug 11, 2021 21:17:45 GMT -5
I have an Eastwing with the pointed tip, and a flat square head on the other end. Love it. One of the best tools I own.
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 11, 2021 21:32:51 GMT -5
I have an Eastwing with the pointed tip, and a flat square head on the other end. Love it. One of the best tools I own. Thanks! If I get a pick, I will buy estwing |
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Aug 12, 2021 22:09:20 GMT -5
I have an Eastwing with the pointed tip, and a flat square head on the other end. Love it. One of the best tools I own. Thanks! If I get a pick, I will buy estwing Everything Estwing makes is great. I have their rock hammers, the paleo pick, 2 lb crack hammer, and gads, chisels. I work construction so my favorite pry bar is a Estwing and I have Estwing cats paws and razor knives. Simply cannot go wrong with Estwing. |
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Post by mohs on Aug 13, 2021 13:07:54 GMT -5
ping softly and  carry a big pick whoops that must be typo |
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 13, 2021 14:48:12 GMT -5
ping softly and carry a big pick whoops that must be typo I'll keep an eye out for a pick whether it be the Paleo pick or a common awl. |
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Post by mohs on Aug 13, 2021 15:17:35 GMT -5
right on  perkz those paleo picks were some tough hombre's |
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Post by greig on Aug 13, 2021 15:54:07 GMT -5
If you rockhound public places, keep your eyes open for lost tools. The price is right. They drop them, bury them, set them down and forget them. I have both found and lost tools.
I generally walk around with a light rock hammer, usually an Estwing. I usually leave in the truck in case I need something heavier, an straight iron bar, crow bar, 3 lb sledge and 15 lb sledge. My other tool is a mudding pick which is good for loose(ish) gravel.
If you are near a Geologist or general busybody, they will yell at you if you use the rock hammer's pick point as a pick. It is "supposed" to be used as a lever. Same with claw hammers, don't let them catch you using one to hammer a cold chisel. Claw hammers "are for carpentry". I didn't say that I follow these rules, but prefer not to be seen when "being bad".
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Post by mohs on Aug 13, 2021 16:06:35 GMT -5
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Post by perkins17 on Aug 13, 2021 16:47:04 GMT -5
If you rockhound public places, keep your eyes open for lost tools. The price is right. They drop them, bury them, set them down and forget them. I have both found and lost tools. I generally walk around with a light rock hammer, usually an Estwing. I usually leave in the truck in case I need something heavier, an straight iron bar, crow bar, 3 lb sledge and 15 lb sledge. My other tool is a mudding pick which is good for loose(ish) gravel. If you are near a Geologist or general busybody, they will yell at you if you use the rock hammer's pick point as a pick. It is "supposed" to be used as a lever. Same with claw hammers, don't let them catch you using one to hammer a cold chisel. Claw hammers "are for carpentry". I didn't say that I follow these rules, but prefer not to be seen when "being bad". Thanks for the information! I will try to follow these "rules" when rockhounding with people who know these "rules". 😂 |
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perkz 
