[Rockhounds] Virgin Valley Nevada Collecting (favorite tools)

[DonH]

Tim Fisher wrote:

> 
> My meager tool bucket of 10 years ago has expanded into two full 5 
> gallon buckets and a couple big bars & shovels that I usually just leave 
> in the pickup in case I get the urge. I think I have 200 lbs. of tools 
> now :D

Tell me about it.  I got into the habit of having two buckets full of 
tools.  That's fine when your car is right next to the collecting site, 
but when you need to hike in, it is a hideous situation.  I have since 
engaged in "negative growth."

I find the essential tools for nearly *any* trip to be a 3-lb. crack 
hammer, a few sizes of steel rock chisel, three carbide-tipped chisels, 
including one about the size of a soda can that Trow & Holden customized 
for me; a gad pry bar, and a handful of spring steel wedges.  All this 
fits in a backpack.  The bucket holds a bundle of newspapers (you can 
get lots of free ones when the newspaper people come to empty out the 
racks of ad papers at the corner store) and egg cartons.

Of course, different collecting environments require different tools.  I 
may also carry a long-handled 4-lb. mini-sledge; a shovel or spade; 
sieving screens; washing water; hand trowels; or some extra-wide masonry 
chisels.

One thing I have, but almost never carry, is one of the famous Estwing 
geologist's hammers, with a flat face on one side and either a pick or a 
narrow curved pry bar on the other side.  As many old-timers put it, 
"those are about good for putting in pictures for scale."  I often watch 
students go on field trips, armed with brand new Estwing pick hammers, 
trying to break hard rock with the pick end.  Eventually they give up 
and need to be introduced to the hammer and chisel method.  Over the 
years, on average, I have found a small crack hammer and a careful 
selection of chisels to be far more versatile than one of those Estwings.

Don