Kooter's Geology Tools and Supplies

Geology Rock Hammers

Solid steel geology rock hammers made in the USA by Vaughan.  Kooter has been using a Vaughan hammer in the field for 15 years, and it is the only brand we sell.  See the rock hammer selection guide if you need help choosing
Kooter's price includes free shipping in the US!

Field pouch image


Special deal!

      Buy a Vaughan rockpick, and we will throw in our regular $8.00 fabric field pouch for only $3.50 extra!

Field pouch details

geology rock hammer

Vaughan AP16U Rock Pick,  our "best buy" professional rock hammer

Pointed tip style rock pick which is sometimes called a prospecting pick. This Vaughan model has a black painted finish, but otherwise is exactly the same as the AP16 rock hammer below.  By simply skipping the final polishing step it costs a few dollars less.
  • Total length 12" (305 mm)
  • Head length 7.25" (185 mm)
  • Actual weight 29 oz. (820g)
Price: $32.00 including shipping
Choose:
Rockpick only $32.00
w/Navy pouch $35.50
w/Black pouch $35.50


AP16 polished prospecting pick

Vaughan AP16 Geology rock hammer

Pointed tip style rock pick.  This is exactly the same as the AP16U prospecting pick above, but with a with polished finish.
  • Total length 12" (305 mm)
  • Head length 7.25" (185 mm
  • Actual weight 29 oz. (820g)
Price: $35.00 including shipping

Choose:
Rockpick only $35.00
w/Navy pouch $38.50
w/Black pouch $38.50


AP16L rock hammer

Vaughan AP16L Long handle rock hammer

Same as the polished AP16 above but with a longer length handle that some people prefer. Very well balanced.  This rock hammer has the best proportion of head and handle that we have seen.
  • Polished finish
  • Total length 15.25" (385 mm)
  • Head length 7.25" (185 mm)
  • Actual weight 32 oz (910g)
Price: $38.00 including shipping
Choose:
Rockpick only $38.00
w/Navy pouch $41.50
w/Black pouch $41.50

abl18 chisel rock hammer

Vaughan ABL18 Chisel style rock hammer

Sorry, we no longer stock this item.
Chisel style rock hammers in several sizes are easily available locally at most large hardware stores or building supplies outlets where they are classified as a 'masonry hammer' or 'bricklayer's hammer'.


Tool belt, hammer holsters, small safety goggles
tool belt image  Leather tool belt  $18.00
gfeller rock hammer holster image  Hammer holsters   $4.00 and $18.50
small safety goggles for children

  Child or small size safety goggles  $6.00

Rock hammer selection guide

  • These rock hammers are used by geologists to break small chips from a rock outcrop in order to have a fresh surface to examine with a hand lens.  They can also be used to collect small mineral samples.
  • If you are collecting large rock samples, you would probably use a heavier 3 pound or more "crack hammer" or drilling hammer and chisels. Small sledge hammers and masonry chisels are commonly available at hardware stores and building supply outlets, so we do not stock them.
  • The pick end of a prospecting pick is useful for excavating small samples that are imbedded in dirt or weathered rock.  The pick should not be used for extreme prying, or the hardend steel tip may break.
  • The chisel end of a hammer is used as an excavating tool, for example to carve away weathered rock or dirt that  may have a fossil or mineral embedded in it.  It should never be used as a chisel by hitting the square end with another hammer.  All hammer faces are hardened steel, and hitting them together can cause injury.

For 10 years we have sold only Vaughan rock hammers even though Estwing is a better known and more popular brand.  Our opinion is that Vaughan's quality control standards provide the highest quality rock hammers available.  The one-piece forged steel head and handle hammers have a black neoprene molded grip that resists sunlight and provides a good grip in wet weather.

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Last revision 01/19/2008