EstwingE3/22P Rock Pick - Vinyl Grip 616g (22oz), Blue

I struggled to decide between this geologists pick and a brick hammer of about the same weight for fossil hunting. I am glad I chose this as the pick point is surprisingly useful and you can always use a chisel and the hammer end to get much better control of where you cleave a rock. The weight is as another reviewer said "just right" for field work. Partly I am reviewing it to drive up the batting average due to a crazy review here. Quality product, very robust but not cheap.This product is also perfectly suited as an ice climbing pick for dumber than a rock survivalists looking for a Darwin Award.

I use this hammer nearly every day for work. It’s great and looks fantastic. Perfect for testing rock strength.

This is my first rock pick, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but it has stood up to a good bit of my amateur abuse without a complaint. I have a great Estwing claw hammer that has served me well for years, and so far this little rock pick has given me no reason to doubt that it will offer the same.Size wise I'm glad I chose the 22oz, as I was considering the 14oz one for ease of carrying but this is actually a great size for taking on outings. Now that I have a little experience using it I think if I'd bought the 14oz then I would have discovered I needed to upgrade to something more capable and with more leverage.The shock resistant handle is a nice touch as well. Great all round.

I bought this on behalf of my boyfriend as he needed one. he is studying geology and it does the job brilliantly when he is out in the field (not literally a field, though sometimes it is!) the shaft between the hammer head and the handle seems thin but it is incredibly strong compared to how it looks, overall, a very satisfied customer!

Good for the purpose, but I found the steel a little bit soft.

Use it for fossil hunting and it’s wonderful. The only downside is the sharp end, wish it came with a nice sheath. You can probably make one yourself out of polymer clay if need be, otherwise be careful as it can easily poke holes into your bag

I use this pick at times when metal detecting. It gets through the layers of stone found after about 6"+ down. Saves a lot of time and effort of digging through with a spade or trowel. The weight is just right for the job. I carry it in a shoulder holster, which means it is always handy.

If you only buy one geology hammer - then this is it. While I don't recommend it as a rock climbing devise, it got me out of a sticky spot when I ended up on a wet slippery slope in a quarry I ought not to have been on. It saved an extinction event - mine.