So, you're going on a rock hunting field trip. You don't want to have to carry too much, but at the same time, you want everything you'll possibly need to get the job done. It's very frustrating to get to a collecting site and realize that you are ill-prepared. This is a list of the best items that you should want in tour tool bag:
-A good tool bag or heavy plastic bucket, or my favorite, a backpack.
-Safety glasses ( a must )
-A good rock hammer
-An 8-10 lb. sledge hammer
-a 4-6 pound sledge hammer
-a long cold chisel (at least 12")
-a 24" pry bar
-a large flat-head screwdriver (for smaller prying jobs)
-a small pointed probe or awl (for delicate removals)
-an old toothbrush (for cleaning specimens when you unearth them)
-a 3-prong garden claw (great for clearing debris)
-a garden spade
-a small LED flashlight (for looking into vugs and crevices. LED lights stand up to abuse much better than regular flashlights)
-small bottle of insect repellent
-at least 2 bottles of drinking water
-a disposable poncho or plastic garbage bag (never know when those pesky rain showers will pop up)
-a bunch of paper lunch bags, newspaper, paper towels, or tupperware containers to protect and carry home your finds.
-A knee pad or old piece of plastic carpet runner for those knees.
-Pad and pencil (for writing dates, times, and minerals found as well as any juicy info you gather from other rockhounds at the site)
-and, possibly the most important item in my kit...don't laugh... toilet paper!!! I can't count how many times I've been in the woods and....well...needed to use it! I thank my lucky stars every time I reach into my bag and it's there, let me tell you!!
The above listed items fit easily into a 5-gallon pail, tool bag or backpack.
Enjoy your rock hunting!