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Techniques for CollectorsBest way to stow your rock pic when exploring

4th Apr 2024 04:51 UTCPaul Hernday

Thinking of getting a backpack with a pic saddle on it, or using a belt saddle like shown above, vs just carrying it in hand. Seems like the belt saddle would have the handle of the pic banging against your leg. Backpack approach might put it out of reach. Suggestions? Thanks

4th Apr 2024 06:09 UTCRuss Rizzo Expert

Seems like the belt saddle would have the handle of the pic banging against your leg.

Yes, it does a little. But I think that it's a small inconvenience for having it close at hand.

4th Apr 2024 06:26 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

You could always go for a standard walking pick - that way you have walking stick and a pick and no bumping into your leg, and have a light weight pry bar at the same time ! ((-:)

But a tool belt I feel is best - just a standard toolbelt, that way you have a couple of pockets to put in additional tools like chisels, compass, phone, maps etc. Being on your waist it doesn't feel so much like you are carrying any additional weight, compared to adding to a back-pack.

4th Apr 2024 13:43 UTCPaul Hernday

Thanks, great advice - Paul

4th Apr 2024 20:50 UTCRalph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager

I tend to carry it in my hand mostly, so I can smash everything in sight,

4th Apr 2024 21:17 UTCWayne Corwin

I go along with Ralph! " I tend to carry it in my hand mostly, so I can smash everything in sight,"

I like the Long Handle Estwing (20 oz I think) Much more swing force and I don't have to bend down as much to hit a rock or use hammer to turn over a rock.

((Always turn rock over towards you, so any creature (like snakes) under it can escape Away from you instead of it coming at you))

5th Apr 2024 20:45 UTCRalph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager

I also prefer the long handled Estwing, always in the car. Sometimes I carry a little hammer in the backpack if it’s a long walk with few rocks about.

4th Apr 2024 22:13 UTCSteve Ewens

Paul,

I like the 20 oz Estwing pick also. Generally, I carry it in my hand but when climbing gets a little sketchy, it goes in a holster on my belt.

I am not a big fan of a pack carry set-up. I do that with my camera and accessibility is a problem.

Taking a pack on and off is a pain on the slopes I hike.

Unrelated but:

For specimens, I only take my pack off to stow specimens when my hands or pockets are too full or if the piece requires special handling. And, for those who like to collect using a 3- or 5-gallon bucket, consider putting some slotted pipe insulation or a "pool noodle" around the rim. My leg gets sore REALLY quickly with a bucket banging against it.

4th Apr 2024 23:26 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert

These days my pick is silver, and it stows quite conveniently in my wallet.

5th Apr 2024 01:27 UTCPaul Hernday

Thanks to all for the tips. I recently picked up the 22oz, long-handled pic. It's a beast but I'm really happy with it for the reasons Steve and Wayne mentioned. And prying rocks loose is a breeze compared with the short-handled one.

5th Apr 2024 01:59 UTCBill Hamel 🌟

I almost never carry & rock pick or rock hammer when “exploring” unless I am absolutely sure I am going to use it. My tool of choice is a 24 inch crow bar (wrecking bar) with angled chisel end & I prefer to “pry” rather than “bang”. I also find that a crow bar is easier to carry than a pic. If I know that I am going to be “excavating“ in hard rock, then a full-sized pick ax & crow bar are my usual go to tools. However, many of my rockhounding friends would never be caught without a rock pick (even if just going to the grocery store)!

5th Apr 2024 02:01 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Bill Hamel 🌟 ✉️

never be caught without a rock pick

Mine's always in the car!

5th Apr 2024 02:50 UTCSteve Ewens

Kevin,

The problem with the rock pick in the car is that you are not in the field.

5th Apr 2024 02:54 UTCSteve Ewens

And also the experience of exploration, discovery, and on and on . . .

Steve

5th Apr 2024 11:31 UTCWayne Corwin

So Steve

What is it??

5th Apr 2024 17:01 UTCSteve Ewens

Kind of hijacking the rock pick thread. Sorry about that Paul. The point was that tools that you do not carry are often the ones that you need. I find that if I think I will not need a 6-pound crack hammer I surely will. Also, a chisel. I once saw a pick that had a hollow handle for a chisel to be stored in. I do not know if they are still available.

As to the specimen, it is an amygdale with an initial growth of quartz followed by a secondary deposition of jasper in a waterline habit.

5th Apr 2024 03:17 UTCPaul Hernday

Amazing rock!! Sawn and polished. I suppose that works well if the rock is dense and well cemented together inside, but not so well if the rock is more loosely built (pardon the scientific jargon)?

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