Not that I really need a new ice chisel but I recently acquired a 60" Zamboni blade that I thought would make some sweet ice chisels.

I was envisioning a chisel head that would work with a store bought wooden handle or one fashioned in the woods out of a spruce pole. This would make for safer and easier transport. I want it to be efficient at its jobs without too much weight or extra bulk. I think I may have it figured out but thought I would use this forum as a sounding board for ideas and recommendations. I have attached a crude drawing of what I was thinking.

So here are a few questions I have...

How wide should the chisel be? I was thinking 2-1/4"

Will schedule 40 black pipe work for the socket?

How long should the socket be?

How would you attach the wooden handle to the socket? Screw? Nail? Bold or some sort of quick release positive lock ball pin?

Any advice, ideas or recommendations are welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Chad

I used to have a home made chisel. Don't know that I have answers, but here's what I had. It was made out of an automobile leaf spring, with two iron straps welded to it. I used a hockey stick handle for the handle, and the straps went on either side and were through-bolted with stove bolts. It was on the order of 2" wide, so I think your width is fine. I used it for beaver trapping for three years, so it got a ton of use and held up.

I've considered making a chisel with a handle that I could make in the woods for backcountry use. The handle--head connection really takes some abuse however. It could be done, but trying to pull it off in the bush in the winter might not be worth it.

This winter, I'm thinking of getting one of these:


jiffy ice chisel

I made one a long time ago and I have two pointers to tell you. One don't forget to have a safety rope attached to it, lots of them on the bottom of lakes. Second make the top a six inch tee handle. This way you have better control when it comes to shaping the hole, extra power.