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This 11 in rock pick hammer is a compact steel geology hammer for prospectors, rockhounds and detectorists who need to break, split and sample rock in the field. The head has a square striking face on one end and a long pointed pick on the other, on a steel shank with a gray textured grip. The 20 oz head and 32 oz total weight make it light enough to carry all day in a pack or on a belt.
Who This Rock Pick Hammer Is For
The 11 in rock pick suits prospectors sampling quartz and outcrops, rockhounds collecting specimens, and gold detectorists who need to break up a rock with a target signal in it. It is a one-hand hammer for controlled strikes, not a demolition tool. If your work is mostly digging soil, roots and gravel rather than breaking rock, a pick or digger from our shovels, diggers and picks collection will move more ground per swing.
How Each End of the Head Works
- Square striking face: the flat end is for breaking rock, knocking loose a sample and cracking a stone open to see fresh, unweathered surfaces.
- Pointed pick end: the long tapered pick is for splitting along cracks and seams, prying loose pieces from an outcrop and scraping into crevices and clay.
- One-piece steel head and shank: the head and shank are a single steel piece with no wooden handle to loosen or crack after repeated strikes.
- Textured grip: the gray grip covers the lower handle and gives a firm hold on a 6 in handle section.
What's in the Box
- 11 in rock pick hammer with 7 in head
- Reusable plastic tip cover
Keep the tip cover on the pick end when the hammer rides in a pack, so the point doesn't punch through fabric or catch on other gear.
Where It Works Well and Where It Doesn't
Good fits
- Breaking quartz and other vein rock to look inside, then bagging a sample.
- Splitting layered rock along bedding planes with the pick end.
- Cracking open a rock that sounds off on your detector, to check whether the target is inside. Find a detector for that work in our gold detectors collection.
- Scraping crevices in bedrock clean before panning the material.
Limits
- A 20 oz head is for sampling and specimen work. Large boulders and heavy breaking call for a sledge.
- Do not strike the hammer against another hammer, an axe or hardened steel. Hardened faces can chip and throw sharp fragments.
- Wear safety glasses whenever you break rock. Rock chips fly fast and in every direction.

Specifications
- Overall length: 11 in (28 cm)
- Head length: 7 in (18 cm)
- Handle length: 6 in
- Overall weight: 32 oz (907 g)
- Head weight: 20 oz (567 g)
- Construction: one-piece drop-forged steel head and shank
- Grip: textured grip
- Included: reusable plastic tip cover
Why Buy from Serious Detecting
Serious Detecting is a metal detecting and prospecting store with a showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, staffed by people who detect and prospect. We stock the field tools that go with a detector, from rock hammers to pans and classifiers in our gold prospecting equipment collection. Every order is covered by our 30-day return policy, and our team answers questions about tools and technique. For more guidance, visit our metal detecting tips and FAQs page.
Customer Questions & Expert Answers
Is the pointed tip suitable for splitting sedimentary rock layers?
Can I use this hammer for chiseling or prying in addition to striking?
How do I maintain the pointed tip to prevent dulling?
What is the difference between a rock pick hammer and a standard claw hammer?
Can I replace the textured grip if it wears out?
Is this hammer suitable for breaking up concrete or asphalt?
What safety precautions should I take when using this rock pick hammer?
Can I use this hammer in wet or muddy conditions?
How does the 11-inch length compare to longer rock hammers?
What types of minerals can I expect to fracture with this hammer?
Customer Reviews & Field Feedback
See what real detectorists and prospectors are saying. Read authentic experiences from the field, discover what users love most, and learn how this product performs in real-world conditions. Share your own review to help fellow explorers choose with confidence.
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