What Kind of Rock Pick Would You Recommend?

[sseth]

I do love my Estwing, although up in the Green River I find that a wood handle gives me a better split for whatever reason. I guess it depends on preference and the matrix you are working in. I would never use wood on our local trilobites.

[PFOOLEY]

These tools work overtime.

Landscape tools by day, adventure tools by night.

Well worth every cent.

[trilobite tim]

I have used a inexpensive masonry hammer, from HomeDepot, for years.  It cost me about $20.  The handle is wood, but has given me no problem so far.  It has a chisel head that I use occasionally.  My only complaint is the handle could be a little longer.  Works great in shale, and OK in limestone.  Works well when I pound it into rock with my crack hammer.  Another tool I can not live without, for shale, is a tile nipper.  With one of these, taking small bites, I can trim shale like butter.  OK, I do occasionally break a fossil, but not often. 

[Bone Daddy]

Another vote for the trusty Estwing. Works great for breaking up micro matrix material.  

[DNF]

My $.02, for whatever it's worth 

 

I use a 2 lb wood handled chisel peen hammer I got at a flea market. it may have been a giant brick hammer at some point, but now it's a geology hammer .

 

I also carry a cold chisel (and now a cape chisel as well).

 

Any hardened hammer can double as a drilling hammer if you strike with the side of it. the body of a hammer is usually soft, only the faces of the peens are hardened.

 

 

 

 

[Herb]

the problem with masonry hammers is two fold, one, most have a short handle and unless it is a steel shaft they will not stand up to the use, and two, they are made to crack bricks, which are a lot softer than most matrix. They dull easier. I have had several and they were not worth the money if they are cheaply made. I have 3 Estwing, picks 2 picks and one chisel. I like the chisel one best. 2 with rubber grips which are sort of slick until I roughed them up, and one with a leather grip which I like the feel of best. I had to rough up the grip also.  Another tip if you hunt in quarries or in general in the wild. Paint the head bright yellow (Rustolium) , it helps stop rust and makes them much easier to spot.

[MikeD]

Hey Herb, that paint is a great idea.

[Gizmo]

Estwing for me.