Pterygotus Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Hello everyone, I’ve been looking to buy a geologists hammer but first would like to know if there is a difference between it and a normal hammer. Does it split rocks easier? I’ll mainly be working on the rocks around Lyme Regis which seem to be very hard. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 A carpentry type hammer is not tempered for hammering hard rock, it is designed to drive nails into relatively soft wood. Such a hammer may chip and send hazardous fragments flying into your eye. A geological hammer is less likely to do that (although you should still wear protective goggles). The geological hammer will have a pick or chisel end that is useful for prying open or splitting rock, and a carpenter's hammer has a claw used to pull out nails that is not designed to split rock. Lastly a good geological hammer will have the handle and head made of one piece of metal, so the handle is unlikely to break and allow the head to go flying off and hit someone. Don 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pterygotus Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 18 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said: A carpentry type hammer is not tempered for hammering hard rock, it is designed to drive nails into relatively soft wood. Such a hammer may chip and send hazardous fragments flying into your eye. A geological hammer is less likely to do that (although you should still wear protective goggles). The geological hammer will have a pick or chisel end that is useful for prying open or splitting rock, and a carpenter's hammer has a claw used to pull out nails that is not designed to split rock. Lastly a good geological hammer will have the handle and head made of one piece of metal, so the handle is unlikely to break and allow the head to go flying off and hit someone. Don Thanks for your reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Take a look at Estwing hammers they are one of the leaders in the industry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pterygotus Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 9 minutes ago, Troodon said: Take a look at Estwing hammers they are one of the leaders in the industry Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 As Frank says, you can't go wrong with an Estwing. I have both Estwing and Vaughan and like them both. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 I've moved the topic to the Collecting Gear subforum where you'll find several threads on geologic hammers. 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 I agree Estwing sets the standard for geological hammers. They are as I recall on the pricey side though. As a compromise, I have used a good bricklayer's hammer, which is tempered to break bricks (much harder than nails into wood) and it has a chisel end intended to (again) split bricks in a controlled fashion. It probably isn't ideal for hammering on really hard rock like a massive limestone or granite, but for most purposes it will do OK. Once again, when bashing rocks use eye protection, regardless of how "good" your hammer may be. Don 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 5 hours ago, Pterygotus said: I’ll mainly be working on the rocks around Lyme Regis which seem to be very hard. I’m not certain of the type of rock you will find around Lyme Regis, but if you are trying to split stuff that is really hard, you may also want to consider a crack/drilling hammer or engineering hammer. They are basically miniature sledge hammers. Maybe even some rock/stone/mason chisels. I tend to use my standard geological hammer the most. For knocking small chunks off of pieces, splitting small rocks, digging around in the dirt, etc. However, if I have a large piece that I need to reduce, or something that is very hard, I break out the heavy equipment. 2 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megalodoodle Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 a geologist’s hemmed is harder than your average hammer, the head shape differs too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megalodoodle Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 I use a mason hammer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 My hammer is my friend. I love my hammer. My hammer has a name. He is called Harry. (not very original, I know, but it was 40 years ago.) Normal people have normal hammers. Exceptional people have geological hammers. 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 I have geologist hammers split bits of steel off which then imbedded pretty good into my leg. That rock was haaaarrrddddd. Always use eye protection. "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe" - Saint Augustine"Those who can not see past their own nose deserve our pity more than anything else." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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