Spud bars

[piersm2]

Need to buy a spud bar and am thinking about buying the Redneck economy one for $25 considering it will be used for a week or two each year.  Anyone have issues with this model?

[piersm2]

Actually, Cabelas brand bar looks better and cheaper.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-augers/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/cabelas-ice-chisel/2581713.uts?slotId=13

[SLAYERFISH]

I make my own.

[RStock521]

I have the 2-piece Eskimo one and it does it's job.  I've never broken it down, so I'd probably just get the 1-piece if I did it again.

[fishermantim]

Do you sharpen your spuds at all?
I have when they show signs of dullness, and they cut much better.

[bigstorm]

Actually, Cabelas brand bar looks better and cheaper.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-augers/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/cabelas-ice-chisel/2581713.uts?slotId=13

I got this one last year and it works fine

[Iceassin]

I got this one last year and it works fine

X2

[hardwater diehard]

Actually, Cabelas brand bar looks better and cheaper.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-augers/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/cabelas-ice-chisel/2581713.uts?slotId=13

Looks very similar to my Frabill ...paid the same price several years ago w/o a wrist strap. I love mine.. one piece..no moving parts to lose/forget...plus its stepped. Good luck with your purchase.

[markinohio]

I had the CH7 (Redneck Economy), but lost it last year. It is very light, but I feel like the weight was a negative (had to hit ice multiple times to check thickness). I’m replacing with the CH11 for the additional weight to help punch through the ice.

[filetandrelease]

I traded in my green monster a few years ago for the redneck economy chisel no complaints ,
 

[mbart]

I also own the eskimo one piece chisel, easy to use without being fatiguing at 4.5 lbs. Added a paracord lanyard and a bicycle grip to the handle. The grip increases control, insulates the cold metal, and cushions my hand during use.

[jrjach75]

Actually, Cabelas brand bar looks better and cheaper.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-augers/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/cabelas-ice-chisel/2581713.uts?slotId=13

That one looks identical to the Gander Mountain branded one I got during their going out of business sale a couple years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same company making them, I've been using mine quite a bit early/late ice, no problems, seems to be pretty good quality.

[filetandrelease]

Thanks mbart good idea with the bike grip

[Iceassin]

I also own the eskimo one piece chisel, easy to use without being fatiguing at 4.5 lbs. Added a paracord lanyard and a bicycle grip to the handle. The grip increases control, insulates the cold metal, and cushions my hand during use.

Like the grip idea...thanks!

[esox_xtm]

What ever you choose (and please do choose one!) get used to the performance of it. Weight and sharpness both have a bearing. Mine, one whack = 1" of ice. Three whacks, tread carefully but you're OK. Less than that I'll be the patient guy and back off. Check frequently early and late ice, conditions can be spotty and change quickly.

I'm OK wet and better than most cold but I really dislike combining the two. 

Oh yeah, I've got some kind of generic orange bar with a welded ring on my end. I also have a homemade one with a piece of auto leaf spring for the blade. Gets really sharp and holds an edge like little else.

[Iceassin]

What ever you choose (and please do choose one!) get used to the performance of it. Weight and sharpness both have a bearing. Mine, one whack = 1" of ice. Three whacks, tread carefully but you're OK. Less than that I'll be the patient guy and back off. Check frequently early and late ice, conditions can be spotty and change quickly.

I'm OK wet and better than most cold but I really dislike combining the two. 

Oh yeah, I've got some kind of generic orange bar with a welded ring on my end. I also have a homemade one with a piece of auto leaf spring for the blade. Gets really sharp and holds an edge like little else.

Yup...my theory as well esox. Haven't taken a plunge in over 50 years...knock on wood. I will add, I'm even more cautious on unfamiliar, less visited lakes.

[filetandrelease]

X2 couldn’t agree more ,

[IceholeHEN]

Like the grip idea...thanks!

X2 Thanks for the great idea.

[Peccavi18]

I had some 1" tube and old pointed chisels that I ground the back down with a small taper and smashed it up in the tube. Welded around it,  wood handle on the top with 2 screws connecting it and a wrist strap to the tube. Just made a second one thats a hair shorted and lighter. Out of pocket cost zero, all old scraps around the shop. I have no clue on weights of them, but Pa doesnt have the super thick ice, long season so a spud goes with me every time out.
 
Walking strike I get just over an inch, hard jab I can penetrate 2+" of ice.

[SLAYERFISH]

I have built a couple. One uses an old hatchet head ground down to a rectangular shape. Bolted into a 1.125" solid aluminum shaft. It weighs  8 lbs, cuts like butter.

My second is 1.25" electrical conduit with a ground lawnmower blade welded into the business end. It weighs maybe 5 lbs, plenty of weight for thin ice, and the light weight allows you to really jab it hard.
 Heavy and slow vs. light and fast!

[defish]

Actually, Cabelas brand bar looks better and cheaper.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-augers/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104395680/cabelas-ice-chisel/2581713.uts?slotId=13

I got that one last year, but haven't used it yet. Looks good for testing ice thickness (which is what I got it for) but if you're tall it would be on the short side for chiseling holes.

[SLAYERFISH]

I forgot to mention my Spuds are 6' long. Gotta poke the ice in front not underyou-

[piersm2]

Hard to beat $20 for the cabelas brand one, but with me being 6-2 and this bar is like 4ft, going to be short.  Only thing I will use it for is early ice.  contemplating just using my auger to check thickness.

[perchnut]

Im also 6'2 and to reiterate slayers point....its good to have something you can reach out a bit with....doesnt do much good to find the ice 2 inches from your boot is an inch and a half thick.....I use a homemade one, pretty heavy, but it does the job and so far, knock knock, keeps me on top.

[TheCrappieFisherman]

Hard to beat $20 for the cabelas brand one, but with me being 6-2 and this bar is like 4ft, going to be short.  Only thing I will use it for is early ice.  contemplating just using my auger to check thickness.

Early ice you want to be checking the thickness every couple steps, it can vary greatly. I would say you are better off with a spud bar being able to hit the ice every step vs having to stop and constantly drill holes, won't get very far fast doing that.  Also like mentioned above, its worth having a long spud bar to reach in front of you so you can walk and check.

[chilly-willy]

Im also 6'2 and to reiterate slayers point....its good to have something you can reach out a bit with....doesnt do much good to find the ice 2 inches from your boot is an inch and a half thick.....I use a homemade one, pretty heavy, but it does the job and so far, knock knock, keeps me on top.

Good points to all  like the above.. last year started spud ding my way out about 100 ft from shore I struck the ice about 4 foot from me and head all this cracking going on so I turned around  luckilly I did not take a swim.. another thing to get would be a float suit.. but just conetrate on the most important  things first.. 

[mbart]

A spud bar is a piece of safety equipment, same as cleats, ice picks, or a throw bag / rope. The sound it transmits when impacting the ice is a indication of ice density / thickness. I'm not confident, checking ice conditions without a spud.

[pmaloney86]

I also own the eskimo one piece chisel, easy to use without being fatiguing at 4.5 lbs. Added a paracord lanyard and a bicycle grip to the handle. The grip increases control, insulates the cold metal, and cushions my hand during use.

X2, did almost the same thing as far as a lanyard and grip go.

[piersm2]

so next question is if I am able to buy a bar long enough or if i need to find someone to make me one?

[TheCrappieFisherman]

Frabill and eskimo make longer ones. I think mine is a frabill.. got it from fleet farm.