Sharpen Those Chisels Shantinions 👍🎣

[BASSQUATCH]

With the temperature starting to resemble winter, the ice is now beginning to appear in the hills. It's a new year and there are some new members to the ice shanty family. I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone including our new members to sharpen your Chisels! I'm sure you don't need reminding of that though 😆 This post is really about ice safety, especially new ice and new to the sport anglers. Please buy or create your own chisel and "Chop As You Walk" ! I own 2 , one I built at low cost and works great. The other was handed down from my father.  Such a basic tool that can and has saved lives!  Please be safe and catch a biggie! (One more thing, try not to go alone )

[MrE1979]

Wise words spoken by a wise man.

[Slabosorous]

I never really bought into chisels actually being useful, but you convinced me. I picked one up a few weeks back, hole we finally get some ice to use it.

[mattthehairy]

I used to be the same way Slabosorous, but I picked up a heavy Frabil spud a couple of seasons ago and really love it. When there's less than 8" sometimes I don't even bother with the auger and just chisel out holes. Definitely makes me feel safer when checking out places in the early season too!

[SMCSullyMan]

Hey millbillman, do you have a post on here about building your own, could you share any plans?

[BASSQUATCH]

Hey millbillman, do you have a post on here about building your own, could you share any plans?

I'll have to do that sometime, I'll get on it soon.

[BASSQUATCH]

I never really bought into chisels actually being useful, but you convinced me. I picked one up a few weeks back, hole we finally get some ice to use it.

You will be surprised how useful they can be.  The day it saves you from finding a man swallower covered by thin ice and a dusting of snow. That's one of those times😎 It's happened to me! My super lightweight one is awesome for chopping out old holes,on those too lazy to carry your auger or if there's just a ton of holes already there.

[Oldbear]

Still carry one I've had for 30 years and was my first ice hole maker.

[ICEHOLE]

I wish I still owned my first chisel, ....or my second, ...or my third. Between me and friends a few of my favorite ponds have swallowed up some chisels. Make sure you have a length of rope on it or a loop of somr kind and make sure you use it!

[BaitBucket]

I gave away one at our gathering this year. Frabill makes one perfect for checking ice and popping open old holes. Has some decent weight to it too. It has the stepped chisel head, cover, and loop at the top for a wrist rope so you dont lose it.

Hard to beat for about 20$. Free 2 day shipping if you have amazon prime. If anyone wants one and doesnt have prime let me know. I can order one for you and we can meet up on the ice to pay me back. I'd rather u get one than not order one cause of shipping or it taking to long to get in.

http://www.amazon.com/Frabill-9000-Standard-Ice-Chisel/dp/B0056A1A1M

[mattthehairy]

That's the one I have. The weight really is perfect!

[lowaccord66]

I own the frabill as well.  Its saved me a few times.

[BASSQUATCH]

There are many different shapes and sizes and weights. Some are way to heavy, some way to thick at the chisel end (like a door stop) thinner the better (in my opinion). Too heavy and you'll be going home with sore shoulders (and possibly dropping it through the ice. Too bad you can't try them before buying them (you can if you try someone else's on the ice first (just make sure it's safe first. I'll upload some photos of my 2 later on today if I remember. No offense to anyone that uses the step style chisel, I was not impressed in the least with those style, I give them 2🌟🌟 out of 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Too each their own and it will work, just not up to par for me.

[BaitBucket]

I can easily punch it thru 3-4" of ice. I only use it to check ice, so if it isnt going thru im good. Its also only about 4'6" long and not to heavy which makes it nice for all day use\transport. If you want to use it to chop holes, it may not be the best choice.

[lowaccord66]

Well its a good thing I didnt buy it based off your opinion Keith!    I would never expect you, chiselmaster to like it.  But it saved my arse and thats 5 out of 5 for me!

[MrE1979]

Keith I think I posted a build on the little chisel that I copied from you.

[BASSQUATCH]

Well its a good thing I didnt buy it based off your opinion Keith!    I would never expect you, chiselmaster to like it.  But it saved my arse and thats 5 out of 5 for me!

I'm not judging it against my chisel, just an overall observation from the MANY designs I've seen and tried over the years. It will certainly do the job ! Just a personal choice for me. They seem well constructed from the few times I've tried them.

[BASSQUATCH]

Keith I think I posted a build on the little chisel that I copied from you.

mine is slightly  different Ed ,I'll post something at some point . The one I'm referring to its my super lightweight but very effective chisel for mainly cutting caps and thinner ice 4-5" .

[A7X]

I made mine a few weeks ago... some pipe I had lying around and welded a piece of 1/4" steel on the end. ... I left it long enough if I wanted to do a stepped design, I have to make a cover for the blade. .

[lowaccord66]

I'm not judging it against my chisel, just an overall observation from the MANY designs I've seen and tried over the years. It will certainly do the job ! Just a personal choice for me. They seem well constructed from the few times I've tried them.

I known breaking stones my man! 

[capt.shay]

If you are making your own, a lot of people will use a piece of old leaf spring for the blade.

[A7X]

If you are making your own, a lot of people will use a piece of old leaf spring for the blade.

Funny thing you say that, after I built mine I spied the old leafs out in the back yard from a truck I built and said dangit! Haha... I hardened and tempered my blade afterward. ..

[TheManDJV]

Getting darn cold out there guys , it's coming!!! Anywho, I just bought a chisel and as far as making holes is there ever a better time to use the chisel over a perfectly good working auger to punch new holes? Like certain inches of ice? I've seen plenty of people use them and the only good answer I got was to open a bigger hole than the auger. Any suggestion? Thanks guys and gals......ice curious from the 401

[BASSQUATCH]

Getting darn cold out there guys , it's coming!!! Anywho, I just bought a chisel and as far as making holes is there ever a better time to use the chisel over a perfectly good working auger to punch new holes? Like certain inches of ice? I've seen plenty of people use them and the only good answer I got was to open a bigger hole than the auger. Any suggestion? Thanks guys and gals......ice curious from the 401

if it's a place that gets hit hard and there's a ton of holes already cut but just capped over, I will use my chisel. If I have to walk a mile and it's not too thick 6" or so I'll use my chisel. Any other conditions, I'll fire up the Jiffy propane.

[TheManDJV]

Yea anything after 6" I'm busting out the power auger. Thanks for the info I guess that makes sense

[BaitBucket]

Anywho, I just bought a chisel and as far as making holes is there ever a better time to use the chisel over a perfectly good working auger to punch new holes? Like certain inches of ice?

I only use my chisel for checking conditions while im out. Punching holes i use my drill auger regardless of ice thickness since it only weighs a couple pounds more than a hand auger. Last time i was out i walked over 6 miles moving tilts and jigging. 60-80 holes is pretty much the norm. So light, efficient, and compact are very important.

[capt.shay]

Funny thing you say that, after I built mine I spied the old leafs out in the back yard from a truck I built and said dangit! Haha... I hardened and tempered my blade afterward. ..

Yup, a leaf spring has already been tempered.  Saves a bit of work.

[A7X]

Yup, a leaf spring has already been tempered.  Saves a bit of work.

In my case even a leaf spring after grinding and welding would sure get into the tempering range of heat, Therfore a heat treatment would probably be necessary anyway. ..

[BASSQUATCH]

You would really be surprised what a nice quality wood chisel can do to ice ,holds a nice edge too !

[Knot there yet]

Shantinions :wow check out the big brain out on Keith. I like it has nice ring to it too.