benm73•7mo ago

My rock hammer gave me a choice: break the rock or break my thumb

I was out near Sedona last weekend trying to get a fresh look at a really nice piece of jasper in a basalt flow. The thing was wedged in tight, and I had to decide: give it one more solid whack with my Estwing, or try to pry it out with a chisel. I went for the whack. The jasper popped free, but the hammer bounced right off and smashed my thumb. I spent the next 20 minutes with my hand in a cold stream. Got a great sample, but my thumb is still purple. Anyone have a better method for stubborn rocks in hard matrix?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

terryrobinson7mo ago

Feel that pain right through the screen. My own thumb has turned that familiar shade of plum more times than I can count. Sometimes the rock just wins that round.

2

miller.tara7mo ago

Remember when you were a kid and they said you'd grow out of hitting yourself with a hammer? My thumb looks like a bad bruise color wheel, from that weird yellow to deep purple. I swear my toolbox just holds grudges. The rock doesn't just win, it celebrates.

3