which rock hammer?

[Hatstand]

Hi

Not strictly caving, but I guess there are a few geologists on the forum, so the quick question is, can anyone recommend a rock hammer to purchase for someone who has just started to investigate geology and minerals?

It _is_ Christmas soon after all 

Hat

 

[owd git]

Look above (in blue). I always found good chisels more use than the fanciest of bespoke ,luxury hammers. assuming you have at least a rudimentary hammer type device to hit it with.  :-\  O. G.

 

[SamT]

What - so you can start going down mines and hacking away at the minerals down there, maybe keep a few specimens for the mantleshelf    :-\

I thought the motto was take nothing but photos, leave nothing but foot prints....

(though even the footprints bit can be a detrimental in some locations).

 

[owd git]

in my past experience (having been in open-cast mining for a few years, a long time ago.) and visiting many quarry's,spoil tips, beaches and 'road widening schemes.there is ample Geology that legitimately requires collection and close examination of specimens.
So i am completely 'with you'. leave cave / mine features for all to enjoy.
Hope I didn't come over as too much of a k*ob. :ang:

 

[Big Jim]

Estwing do go geology hammers. Ive got a nice fibreglass shafted job with chisel end (not pick end) which I got from geo-supplies in sheffield. It doesnt go caving with me though.

 

[robjones]

Putting my geologist's hat on, I have always found a small club hammer and a range of cold chisels to be far superior to a geological hammer.

Geological hammers are fine as badges of office but they lack the finesse possible with a cold chisel and the clout possible with a club hammer.

If you are determined however, Estwing is the pukka make, though a bricking hammer can be a very affordable substitute.

Always remember though that a x10 handlense is more useful than a hammer - and leave no marks.

 

[Brains]

As a geologist I have found looking and thinking to be more useful than smacking and whacking. There are usually an abundance of chips and bits to look at with your hand lens without a need to break anything. A brickys scutch hammer would be a good geo-hammer if you really want one, available in most DIY stores, but as mentioned above a good selection of cold chiesels and a lump hammer are much more precise if really needed. I would suggest a 7lb sledge on a 1yd handle, light enough to use one handed on a chiesel, but good enough to crack open a geode or nodule on the beach. Dont forget, almost all of geological time is on the bedding planes, so carry a broad bladed chiesel to open them up to see the fossils in fallen/loose blocks. You will be looking at eroding sea cliffs or active rock faces - cuttings, quarries etc, the biggest dangers will be bits dropping on you from above and bits flying off into your eyes - get some good safety googles and at least a site helmet, hi-vis and safety boots - you will be in perfect disguise for being in the active quarry without permission, or more easily seen when you need rescue because the sea has cut you off!

 

[robjones]

7lb hammer? Clearly you're a hard rock man.

2lb is quite suficient for upper Palaeozoic imo (guess which rocks i live on...).

 

[Moose]

Hilti do a superb range.......

 

[Brains]

7lb hammer? Clearly you're a hard rock man.

2lb is quite suficient for upper Palaeozoic imo (guess which rocks i live on...).

I prefer to break a boulder with a blow or two, rather than knock off a few chips, but yes, I prefer the hard rock geology!

 

[Hatstand]

Many thanks to all of you who gave the really useful, helpful answers 

The hammer and chisels option makes so much sense, makes you wonder why anyone would buy a rock hammer... (bit like a neofleece!)

...and no thanks for the patronising insulting suggestion that any such would be used without consideration.  :thumbsdown:

 

[SamT]

soz - just re-read and it did come across really badly...  :-[

The post  was just straight in the back of the 'Bits of stal in a shop somewhere post'

oh well.


oh well. still slightly dubious about "mineral collecting". 

 

[Hatstand]

Apology accepted - thanks dude 

[modified] apology accepted before your mod - who said anything about mineral collecting?

 

[SamT]

You'll probably retract that after my edit 

its just a personal opinion really about mineral collecting per se, not directed at you personally.

 

[bubba]

So mineral collecting is bad, but blowing passage up with bang is ok?

Double standards purleeze

 

[graham]

Whats the difference between knocking lumps of rock off and collecting them and not collecting them? 

 

[Roger W]

If you don't collect the bits of rock, you are acting altruistically (is that the right word, O Forum Pendant?) and for the greater good of the caving community.

If you to pick 'em up and take 'em home with you, you are a scumbag mineral collector and should be used for testing rock hammers and cold chisels on...