"Whilst any good ironmonger can supply cold chisels and strong knives or trowels, he is very unlikely to have safe and suitable hammers in stock. The steel of ordinary domestic and many trade hammers is far too soft for use on most rocks. It will splinter and flying fragments of steel can cause nasty wounds, particularly to the eyes, not only of the hammerer but also of his companions." Fossils in Colour - 1967 - J.F. Kirkaldy, D.Sc. Formally Head of the Department of Geology, Queen Mary College London.

Most of the fossils can be picked up off the foreshore without the need of any tools. However, it is best to take a few tools which may come in useful. In particular, blocks of a highly fossiliferious bone bearing bed can be often collected along the base of the cliff.

Crack Hammers: You will need good quality crack hammer and Chrome chisels at Yaverland for splitting the bone bearing blocks.

Chisel Picks: For the more 'weathered rocks' These chisel picks work well in loosing weathered layers. Geological hammers are also suitable.

Chisels: Because the rock are extremely hard, most normal chisels will blunt quickly. It is therefore highly recommended that Special Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisels are used. These are made from the highest quality steel and are coated for extra protection. They are also much sharper than normal chisels and will last much longer. As for the type of chisel, standard 1" or less are best, it is also ideal to take a small chisel around 1/2" for any delicate work and a splitting chisel to split layers.

Safety Wear: Goggles or Safety Glasses are absolutely essential at this location when using hammers and chisels, rock splinters can pierce the skin.

Picks: A pick may come in handy for taking samples for sieving either onsite or back home.

Knee Pads: For all locations which are mostly based on foreshore beach combing, knee pads are ideal, they will protect your knees and also prevent you from getting so wet. Sharp rocks or beach litter will always cause a risk of injury when searching for fossils on your hands and knees.

Knives: A handy tool to pick fossils out of the clay with.

Endecotts Sieves: Small seeds and teeth can be collected from either wet sieving onsite or by taking back samples for sieving at home (either dry or wet). Endecott Sieves are the best test sieves in the world and will last you years.

Field Lenses: Yaverland can yield many tiny fossils including teeth which sometimes will require a magnifying lenses. It is not always possible to tell very small objects with normal eyesight. The most common type is the 10x.

Specimen Bags: These are ideal for collecting from Yaverland, expecially for taking back samples. Sealable Clear Specimen Bags can hold your finds. These can be purchased from UKGE for low prices and can easily be re-used.

Geological Bags: Strong, Waterproof and durable geological bags that last years are ideal for any keen fossil hunter. These quality bags from Estwing are ideal for bringing back those larger finds or sample bags.

Footwear: Wellington Boots are recommended for Yaverland, the foreshore is very muddy and soft.