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So, I recently received an Estwing geo/paleo pickaxe for Christmas. After its first use I learned that there are many more uses for the tool than tearing up sedimentary exposures. 1. Perfect climbing pick. Ever seen someone climb a sheer cliff in a movie? Well, you can use the paleo pick to climb steep slopes. (Just never cliffs, ALWAYS climb with a rope or don’t climb at all.) 2. Awesome wall mount. Display it on your wall and pretend you’re a gold prospector! Go ahead and share your alternate uses for the Estwing geo/paleo pick.

A while back, I wrote this article/page because I was fascinated with all the different rock hammers, especially Estwing. I had some experience using them, and I liked them more than others. https://fossil.15656.com/resources/geological-hammers-and-tools/ Surprisingly on a website where I write about many paleontological topics, this page has been the most visited by people using Google. I hope it's useful for anyone seeking out a hammer.

Can’t wait to put these to some use!

Is the Estwing brand paleo pick useful or is it a waste of money?

Hi all! Two sort-of unrelated questions, but I figured I would combine them into one post so I don't spam the forum with newb questions! I was wondering if anyone had any luck with Estwing's "sure strike" drilling hammer? I'm trying to determine if there are any reasons to go with the fiberglass handle (other than the price!). https://www.estwing.com/collections/sure-strike/products/drilling-hammer-fiberglass I was also looking at their cross peened "blacksmith hammer", and it seemed like it might be valuable as an all-purpose hammer in certain circumstances. I've seen this type of hammer mentioned on a fossil hunter site or two, but when I searched the forum I couldn't find any mentions so I figured I'd ask for everyones' thoughts/experiences with them https://www.estwing.com/products/blacksmiths-hammer-fiberglass I currently only have some nail hammers and a cheap chisel, so I'm doing my research toward my first real hammer purchase(s). Thanks in advance!

Hi all. New here, new to fossil collecting, and have a question about handles on Estwing rock picks... After some reading, it looks like a suitable choice is a 22oz Eswing rock pick/hammer, but I'm not sure about handle type. The one with the stacked leather looks lovely and is very appealing, but what's it like for vibration compared to the vinyl version? I should mention that I'm unlikely to be breaking rocks all day - occasional weekend use for maybe a couple of hours or so. No idea what sort of material I might be breaking in terms of hard or soft, so probably best to assume some hard material at least some of the time, and I have my eye on some chrome vanadium splitting chisels. If the leather one is okay for vibration, what about longevity? I assume it will wear quicker than the vinyl one, but is it particularly short lived? (If it helps, a few years of occasional use would be fine by me in terms of cost over time.) Cheers.

My wife has been asking me what I would like for my upcoming 51st Birthday. I told her today that I would like the book "Trilobites of New York". She actually got this book for me as a birthday gift years ago. Like an idiot I put it up for auction when I started my Sharktooth faze. I guess at the time I was so engrossed with finding sharkteeth that I felt that i didn't need this truly wonderful book anymore. What a nimrod I was! Anyways she said she would get the book. Shortly after we were in Home Depot because they are the only place I know that sells a few Estwing products. So I picked out a 4lb crackhammer and a brickhammer. She said she would get those for me as well. Score! My wife is the best!

I was cleaning up my hammers, pry bars, and chisels when something occurred to me. I have had this mini sledge for 20 years and its been through hell. Since I bought this hammer I have broken 3 Estwing brick layers, 2 crowbars, and several chisels. This hammer has been laying in water, mud, misplaced, and has smashed through literally several tons of rock. I cant believe I haven't lost it or it hasn't broke in half by now. Take a look at your weapons of geology and see if there is one in your arsenal that has defied the odds. SHOW US YOUR WEAPON.