My rock hammer bounced off a piece of quartz and nearly hit me in the face

I was out near Sedona trying to get a clean sample from a vein. I gave it a solid whack, but the hammer just skipped right off the slick surface. It flew back and I had to duck, my heart pounding in my chest. I learned right then that you need to check the grain and strike angle on really hard, smooth minerals. Anyone else have a close call like that with a simple hammer swing?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_hart182mo ago

I used to skip eye protection for quick jobs, but a flying chip of chert scratched my safety glasses last year. Now they go on before I even pick up the hammer. What kind of gloves do you use?

joel_hall172mo ago

Man, that's why I always wear safety glasses even for simple stuff.

wells.olivia2mo ago

Yeah, quartz will absolutely do that. It's like the rock world's version of a boomerang. You think you're in control, and then the universe reminds you that physics doesn't care about your plans. I'm just glad your face is still in one piece. That's a pretty intense way to learn about strike angles.