Abstract: A cutter tool that includes a shank by which the tool is releasably retainable within a tool holder, an enlarged shoulder or heel provided at one end of the shank and adapted, in use, to abut a seating surface of a tool holder and limit the penetration of the tool holder into a receiving aperture of the tool holder, and an integral blade provided beyond the enlarged shoulder or heel and terminating in a carbide or other tip. The tool is provided with a zone of weakness such that if subjected to fracture forces, a fracture will be encouraged to propagate from the zone of weakness in a particular desired manner.

Abstract: A cutter tool that includes a shank by which the tool is releasably retainable within a tool holder, an enlarged shoulder or heel provided at one end of the shank and adapted, in use, to abut a seating surface of a tool holder and limit the penetration of the tool holder into a receiving aperture of the tool holder, and an integral blade provided beyond the enlarged shoulder or heel and terminating in a carbide or other tip. The tool is provided with a zone of weakness such that if subjected to fracture forces, a fracture will be encouraged to propagate from the zone of weakness in a particular desired manner.

Abstract: A mineral cutter pick (1) has an oblong section to define leading (3), trailing (4) and side (5) faces of a shank (2), and has longitudinal and transverse axes (6, 7). The shank (2) is provided with a single, circular section through hole (16) extending orthogonally across its side faces (5), in which hole (16) is fitted a resilient member (17) of circular section with an external diameter to match that of the hole (16), the resilient member (17) itself having a coaxial through hole (18) so as to provide an annulus of constant thickness when uncompressed and adapted, in use, after the pick shank (2) has been inserted into a shank-receiving aperture (22) of a pick box (5), to itself receive, and frictionally retain, a manually insertable, and manually removable, metal pin (23) adapted to project beyond the side faces (5).