Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! > Ice Fishing Safety
Ice chisel / spud weight
sodakdave:
What is an acceptable weight for an ice chisel to function properly to check the ice thickness?
I was at the store the other day and took a look at the Eskimo 2-piece chisel. It seems really heavy. I just can't imagine myself pounding the ice with it every step during my walk out. I wouldn't have an arm left to fish with by the time I got to a spot.
I can also see going too far the other way, where a chisel wouldn't be heavy enough to really be effective.
Where's the happy medium?
I know the Eskimo chisel is only 11 lbs, and as dead weight that's not an issue, but lifting and pounding every step or two would be (for me).
On the other hand, something like the Cabela's brand chisel is only 6 lbs. Light enough that I can see myself using it over a long distance, but is it heavy enough to be effective?
Thoughts?
Ice Scratcher:
You just have to understand the capabilities of the tool in your hand...
Pounds per square inch has everything to do with it..
A simple piece of rebar sharpened like a pencil can tell you a lot...
Sometimes it might be more about hardness, than how thick, I've been on 2ft I felt lucky to make it back from..
Also, a tool for checking safety, and one for cutting actual fishing holes could be entirely different...
<°)))>{
sodakdave:
I'm not going to be using it for cutting holes, just for safety. I got one with a staggered tooth pattern because I figured that would be more effective than a 2" wide piece of flat still.
I'm probably overthinking it (as I am known to do).
Just bash the ice a few times and get a feel for how much it takes out per hit and go with that.
skifisher:
I don't think weight is the issue. I use a spud bar to check not only the thickness of the ice, but the quality and tone of the ice. Like Ice Scratcher said, 2 feet of ice can be as sketchy as 2 inches of black ice. The important thing to remember is ice thickness varies, and other factors like your weight and how much gear you're toting are all factors in how safe you are. If it don't feel right, IT AIN'T!
hardwater diehard:
I would suggest an economy one piece chisel ..weigh between 4.5-5.5 lbs..heavy enough to get the job done and light enough to bring every outing ...one piece means no parts to lose .Eskimo ..Frabill ..Mills Fleet Farm have versions that you can find online with discounts and sales ...$20-$25.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=2581713&type=product&WT.z_btnclk=YMAL-2581713&WT.z_pg_ref=prd1083142
use code 7HOLIDAY free shipping
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