Ice chisels

Do you guys like to use heavier or lighter chisels? The one I had as long as I can remember broke in half last year. With early ice coming soon I need to go find another. It will be used strictly for checking ice as u go vs opening holes.

I like the heavy ones just for the fact that one good jab and I know the ice is going to hold.

I also like the heavy style chisel. Rapala has a new 2 piece chisel out this year that is very solid, has a foam grip to help absorb shock and also serves as a great grip.
Page 30 of the Ice Force catalog.

Rapala Chisel

Heavy

I will say there is a fine line between Heavy and why don’t I just drag a steel “I” beam around. It needs to be light enough to Poke and go but heavy enough to go through 1″ of ice with one poke. Just my .02 cents worth.

Heavy within reason, and an aggressive bit. That stepped style on the business end is the ticket. Striking the ice with a flat or blunt end doesn’t do a whole lot for you!

I used to use an old pry-bar from the farm, but newer models like Cal suggested have a looped end with lanyard so you don’t throw it down a hole, and also break down in half to something more manageable in size.

These are a must for first ice!

Joel

So quick question about checking ice with a chisel. So does giving it a couple solid thumps with a chisel mean the ice is plenty solid to continue on? I’ve never really risked going out on first ice. Always made sure I heard reports from people before I ventured out.

One solid hit with it just barely poking through was 2″ with my old bar.

I switched to the weighted stepped chisel tip some years back and have a ton of confidence with it…
After a couple of years banging it around I took my hand file to the tips and she is as good as new !!

Jeff Schomaker wrote:

So quick question about checking ice with a chisel. So does giving it a couple solid thumps with a chisel mean the ice is plenty solid to continue on? I’ve never really risked going out on first ice. Always made sure I heard reports from people before I ventured out.

You will have to figure that out depending on the weight of the chisel, etc. Go out and try it close to shore then chisel out a chunk and see how thick the ice is. I like the big Eskimo redneck chisel (CH11). It’s kind of heavy to carry around but the chipper head on it works really well and they are available most places.

Thanks guy I will have to take a look at some of the heavier ones this weekend. I am guessing 10 days before i make it out up north.