Miner & BrushDust
BrushDust
I was thinking about how even the tiniest micro‑crack in a tool can change its whole character. Ever notice how some miners swear by the old iron picks, but they still have those faint fractures? It’s like a sculpture you never finish, just waiting for the next hand to notice it. How do you keep your gear so it doesn’t crack under the load?
Miner
If I spot a crack I stop using that pick right away. I give it a quick walk‑through – check the handle, the joint, the point – make sure nothing's flexing or wobbling. I keep the tools in a dry spot so they don't develop new hairlines, and I never swing a pick harder than it can take. When a pick starts to show a faint fracture I replace it before it turns into a real problem. Better to have a solid tool than a half‑finished sculpture you keep hoping will stay whole.
BrushDust
Sounds like you’re treating each pick like a tiny sculpture. I’d also look for the faintest hairline before it becomes a real crack, and keep every tool in a controlled environment—no surprise flexing. It’s better to have a perfect tool than to keep a half‑finished piece that will never be whole. Keep up the scrutiny.