INCLY 5 PCS Geology Rock Pick Equipment Kit for Gold Mining & Prospecting

I'm giving this 5 stars as a starter kit for someone who wants to introduce a child to rock hounding. But this would not be a great value for an adult. Here's why: the whole package was $25, which is a low price for a rock hammer, chisel and the other items, so it lends itself well as an entry-level kit for someone who isn't sure how serious they're going to be about rockhounding. The chisel seems to be a very good one. A comparable one from a store would be $10. The hammer is acceptable. After all, it's a heat-treated piece of steel used to bang against another heat-treated piece of steel. But only acceptable; the hammer is rough in fit and finish. The grinding is haphazard, and fitment to the handle is solid, but unsightly. And the entire Hammer has been painted in a metallic color to suggest that it's not paint but rather steel. I can only assume they did this to save cost on finishing. You are NOT getting a hammer comparable to say, an Estwing. But an Eastwing rock hammer alone will cost you $30! I got my son an Estwing rock hammer many years ago. I can't tell you how many times it has been left out side in the elements overnight and even for a week or two on end. Sometimes, at night I lie awake in bed with guilty ruminations concerning the life we gave that old Estwing...okay...not really. But I think it would have been more appropriate to start a child out with a hammer such as the one I'm reviewing in this kit. It will work just as effectively, but it's not as high quality in terms of fit and finish. The steel seems good. The metallic paint chips off pretty quickly, but that's no big deal. The steel underneath of it seems to be doing just fine. At this price, if a child loses it, or leaves it out to rust in the rain for a couple of years, it is a low-cost way of seeing how serious he or she is about rockhounding (and it will save you some sleepless nights :). For this purpose, I think the hammer is a good value. But if youre an adult, Eastwing all the way. The eye protection, whistle and magnifying glass may seem like kitsch. But the eye protection is a step up from what you might find in a local Dollar Store. And while the whistle may seem quaint, it is a great opportunity to teach a young person that a whistle is part of the Ten Essentials that you must take into the Wilderness with you in case you get lost. So the kit is a good value for youth, but it's also a great teaching opportunity. 5 stars if youre buying for a young child you want to introduce to rock hounding.

Quality products

Great equipment does the job

I picked up this set not for geology or rock hunting, but to help with shaping stones while installing stone veneer, and it’s proven to be a great tool for that purpose. The rock hammer is solidly built and full-tang, with the steel running through the entire handle, giving it great heft and durability. I’ve been using both the flat side and the pointed pick to help trim and chip stones for a better fit in my layout. While I would never use this tool to set veneer (a rubber mallet is much safer for that), it’s been fine for shaping the stone. The masonry chisel turned out to be useful too! My son and I recently used it to chip away at a piece of fool’s gold and separate out little “gold” flecks/chunks. It turned into a fun father-son moment and gave the chisel a second life outside of masonry. The kit also includes thoughtful extras like a whistle (which I’ve used while reffing my son’s soccer games), a pair of safety glasses (always handy to have nearby), and a compass, which is a nice addition even though I haven’t used it yet. Bottom line: For just over $20, this kit is a great deal l, even if you only need the hammer. It's strong, comfortable to use, and versatile enough for both DIY stonework and its intended geology use. Would absolutely recommend.

Bought for husband as gift but he loved it