Digging in hard ground

[Nevada Prospector]

A few years back I learned something from a gal in our local club while relic hunting. She had two hammer holders on her belt, one on each side. One held a prospector's pick and the other held a hammer. When she got a signal she used the hammer to drive in the prospector's pick along side of the spot. The handle of the pick was used for leverage to pry out the dirt and rocks. I have adopted her method and it works wonders when I am relic detecting in tough soil.

 

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[HIGHSTRUNG]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

In certain areas I carry a bricklayer's hammer - like a geologist's/mineralogist's pick but with a chisel tip instead of a point. Can be handy on roots as well.

 

[EQ8]

DO be advised.. it is very dangerous to strike a hardened hammer with another one.
The possible "bullet" would be extremely sharp.
Be sure to at least wear safety glasses.
I believe I can see that on the warning label in the above picture.

 

[Nevada Prospector]

DO be advised.. it is very dangerous to strike a hardened hammer with another one.
The possible "bullet" would be extremely sharp.
Be sure to at least wear safety glasses.
I believe I can see that on the warning label in the above picture.

You are so right, Eq8. I have learned this by a lifetime of splitting firewood with a maul and wedge. When using my technique don't strike the miner's pick like you are killing snakes, it's not necessary.