Geologist's hammer

A geologist's hammer with tubular shaft and chisel head
A geologist's hammer used to break up rocks, as well as a scale in the photograph

A geologist's hammer, rock hammer, rock pick, or geological pick is a hammer used for splitting and breaking rocks. In field geology, they are used to obtain a fresh surface of a rock to determine its composition, nature, mineralogy, history, and field estimate of rock strength. In fossil and mineral collecting, they are employed to break rocks with the aim of revealing fossils inside. Geologist's hammers are also sometimes used for scale in a photograph.

Shape

Geologist's hammers, as with most hammers, have two heads, one on either side. Most commonly, the tool consists of a flat head on one end, with either a chisel or a pick head at the other end.[1]

Construction

The effective power of a geologist's hammer is mainly considered to be a reflection of its head weight and handle length. Head weight may range from 8 oz (225 g) or less on a small hammer—such as would generally be used for casual use or by children—to 24 oz (680 g) and greater. A hammer of 16 oz (450 g) is often quoted as sufficient for all rock types, although metamorphic or igneous rocks often require heavier hammers for a more powerful blow.

The best geologist's hammers are forged from one piece of hardened steel, which renders them sturdy and long-lasting. Alternatives such as tubular- and wooden-shafted hammers are more commonly used, in part due to their lower cost. Such alternative handles sacrifice strength and make the hammer unsuitable for high-strain activities such as prying.

The form and weighting of the shaft defines the balance, which itself defines the ease, efficiency, and comfort of use of the geologist's hammer.

Other

In Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (1982), as well as in its film adaptation The Shawshank Redemption (1994), protagonist and prisoner Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins in film) asks fellow inmate Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) to smuggle a rock hammer into Shawshank State Penitentiary, ostensibly so Andy can continue his amateur geology hobby inside the prison walls. Red does this, and Andy is able to keep the rock hammer hidden from correctional officers for the duration of his imprisonment.

References

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