EstwingGeo/Paleo Rock Pick - 25" Geologist Tool with All Steel Construction & Vinyl Cushion Grip - GP100, Blue

I bought my first one eight years ago and just bought one for my fiance. These things are magical!! They literally coax the ore right out of the ground!! Beware sunstones and petrified wood and moss agates and limcasts and Holly Blue, we're coming for you!!

Very nice and light weight! Very good for gem mining.

I cant think of one thing bad to say about this pick. Ive used it in the field twice now. I prospect and rockhound in all types of terrain. Youll never find me out on an adventure without my rockhammer pinned to my side, ever. If my truck was on fire my hammer would certainly be the one thing i would grab before i bailed out. Would I trade my rock hammer for anything? Yup. This pick. Its just perfect. It doesnt rattle, vibrate, or make any other unsettling noise during use. It simply sings harmonically keeping cadence as every swing devours material in front of my eyes. However they arrived at the angles, weight, and dimensions couldnt have been accidental. The pick end is amazingly accurate, and seems to progressively sink with great effect in breaking up hard clays. It penetrates without bounce out, cracks material up, and then stays put as long as you keep tension on the handle, then pops out effortlessly upon relief of tension or recoil. its ideally sized to be the tool that spans all needs, from jobs where a rock hammer is too light, through any job requiring a heavy pickaxe, but one that can be sheathed safely and without discomfort or loss of balance on ones back. I truly hated lugging around a large pick or pulaski in any circumstance where my vehicle could only get me within hiking distance of my destination. I slide it in between my pack and back allowing the spade to rest on my shoulder, and even untethered in any other way it remains there. I never even worried it was sliding or falling out, and most importantly didnt poke my eye or cut my face or gear when performing other duties. The spade end plows even flat planes in any direction you might swing it, and i havent heard even the slightest crack or pop from the handle when using it to pry objects apart. I doubt it would be advertised or reccommended for a couple other things i used it for (with great result) including an extended climb up the wall and out of a ravine like a viking. It looks cool and I'm pretty sure i could even drive and putt effectivley with it. In conclusion.....did i test it thoroughly? Certainly. Did it meet my expectations? No, it exceeded all of them. Wouldnt just say that.

Ever felt the difference between a well-balanced golf club and a poorly-balanced one? How about a fishing rod and reel combo that just feels like an extension of your arm? These tools are like that. Without even trying you can hit your target with either of these. They are short enough to keep them light and intuitive to wield, and yet heavy enough to wield effectively. These are great tools that are easily my favorite go-to companions for breaking up tough rocky soil for the first time.

I just received this pick and I was surprised to find that it was much smaller than I expected. The product dimensions are listed at (as of this review) 36" by 18" by 3", and one of the reviewers claimed that they could use it as a walking stick?! The actual dimensions are 26" by 13.5" by 2.25" (the box was smaller than said dimensions as well). Having noted that point, I think I'm going to really like this pick. I'll update this review once I've had a chance to use it in the field--hopefully my rating will go up to a 5 star. My impressions are that it is well constructed and seems like just about the perfect size for close-quarters digging. If you're going to dig a big hole in flat ground, then this pick is a little too short. If you're digging into a wall or will be digging while kneeling, this should be perfect.Update (5-15-2014)After spending a weekend rockhounding with this, I love it (thus an increase to 5 stars). If I was only able to bring a single tool for any rockhounding trip, this would be it. Here are some notes:-It can completely replace a standard pick except in the case where you are digging in a smaller hole--the head of this pick is pretty long, so it can be difficult to maneuver it in a tighter place.-It is very effective as a pry bar. I noticed zero flex when applying some pretty heavy loading.-It holds its edge well. After taking a serious pounding this weekend, the tip is definitely duller than when I started, but it could be much worse.-The shovel is incredibly convenient-The handle is very tough. So far there's no damage to the handle--I think it might actually hold up in the long run.

I live in an area where we have about 3 inches of soil and then it's all rock. I wanted to transplant some trees that we have on our property that seem to grow well in rocks. I dreaded digging up the trees, but really dreaded digging fresh holes. I don't believe I could have done it without this tool. I transplanted a total of 6 trees and this tool never let me down. I broke the handle on my pick axe, but this thing is a brute. Well worth the money.