Hand saw for cutting ice

[Ahill2climb]

Well, I just picked up a spear from yellowbelly80 and I'd like to use it but I only have a 6" auger. So I was thinking about buying a hand saw from the local hardware store so I could cut a bigger hole in the ice to spear through. I've never tried this so I'm not sure what will work best. Should I get a saw made for cutting wood, plastic, metal, etc??? Here are two saws I thought might work. I like the handle on the first saw because I could really put more force behind the saw but the second one is more compact. Any advise would be appreciated. Also, even though I know chainsaws work great this is not an option. Too bulky and don't want to have to deal with it. Thanks! :fish:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=111670-930-324SS20R&lpage=none

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=88301-414-BS333C&lpage=none

[Radar420]

Buy an ice saw from one of the MS sponsors.

http://www.darkhousespearingsupply.com/index.php?cPath=61&osCsid=652ff8d7fabcb5e1705d29f6e683d6dc

[ibthetrout]

Got an old chain saw? Just empty the bar lube out of it. I hear they work great for that. Also there is such a thing as an ice saw. Might be more money than you want to spend though.

[Radar420]

Or drill 3 holes together and spud out the middle.

[Ahill2climb]

Buy an ice saw from one of the MS sponsors.

http://www.darkhousespearingsupply.com/index.php?cPath=61&osCsid=652ff8d7fabcb5e1705d29f6e683d6dc

Wow! Wasn't planning on spending that much money on a saw made only for cutting ice. Now I'm wondering if a saw made for cutting wood would even work. :16suspect

[Ahill2climb]

Or drill 3 holes together and spud out the middle.

So now I have to buy a spud. It never ends......

[Radar420]

Wow! Wasn't planning on spending that much money on a saw made only for cutting ice. Now I'm wondering if a saw made for cutting wood would even work. :16suspect

I'm pretty should it would work but I think it is going to be a lot of work for you if you want to use a hand saw like either of the ones you posted. The ice saw is nice because you can use it standing up plus it looks like it would be a lot more efficient with the larger teeth.

[Radar420]

So now I have to buy a spud. It never ends......

IMO every ice fisherman should have a spud. It's a good investment and a safety implement for first and last ice. Plus they're normally cheaper than a saw.

[Ahill2climb]

IMO every ice fisherman should have a spud. It's a good investment and a safety implement for first and last ice. Plus they're normally cheaper than a saw.

I agree with that. I actually bought one last year but then returned it because I never used it. I usually don't go out on the ice unless I'm positive it's safe and there are others out fishing. I may just pick one up and then drill a few holes close together and then try and knock out the middle with the spud.

[jiggineyes]

You can spear through a reguler hole too. Auger 2-3 right next to eachother for better viewing. as long as the spear is smaller then 6" of course. Mine is 5 3/4"

[Ahill2climb]

You can spear through a reguler hole too. Auger 2-3 right next to eachother for better viewing. as long as the spear is smaller then 6" of course. Mine is 5 3/4"

I have a 6" auger and my spear is right around that size. Even if it's a little smaller I would worry that once I pull the fish up to the hole it could get knocked off. Maybe I should just buy a 10" power auger and problem solved!:idea:

[Ahill2climb]

If anyone has tried a normal hand saw on the ice please let me know how it worked. Thanks!

[ibthetrout]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAI7-Qa2Io

Don't know how you could spear without one of these!

[Ahill2climb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAI7-Qa2Io

Don't know how you could spear without one of these!

Not exactly in my price range. But I like it! :lol:

[ibthetrout]

Wouldn't be any good anyway, you'd always have to have a partner to fish....unless you are Hercules!

[Ahill2climb]

That's for sure! I'd also have to buy a sled or 4 wheeler just to get it out there. It would sure be funny to see the looks on everyones faces as I start that bad boy up on the ice. Especially if I was in the middle of the pack at genos! :lol::yikes:

[Joeker51]

Got an old chain saw? Just empty the bar lube out of it. I hear they work great for that. Also there is such a thing as an ice saw. Might be more money than you want to spend though.

Might wanna ask Sylvester how well it worked for him the other day.:16suspect
Heard he got a tad bit wet runnin it.:lol:

[neil duffey]

a hand saw from a hardware store wont do a darn thing but piss you off. you will be sawing for over an hour. buy a spud and spud the web out... besides you got no business being an ice fisherman w/ out a spud any way... they are imo the most important safty tool an ice fisherman should own.

[PITBULL]

Just get the icesaw and avoid the frustration of trying to make something work. The Ice saws like what Darkhouse sells will last a long time. If you use it only 10 years it would only cost 9-12 bucks a year depending on what one you get.

[Mark Sylvester]

Buy an ice saw from one of the MS sponsors.

http://www.darkhousespearingsupply.com/index.php?cPath=61&osCsid=652ff8d7fabcb5e1705d29f6e683d6dc

This saw is very nice and you can cut a hole of any size!;)

Might wanna ask Sylvester how well it worked for him the other day.:16suspect
Heard he got a tad bit wet runnin it.:lol:

Only wet i got was when I went to pull the chunk out..........a little on the wrists!:lol:

[mmac1318]

Question for you ice saw owners. Do you prefer the long saw or is the short saw just as adequate? As far as I can tell the disadvantage would be not being able to stand up when cutting the hole. Any other opinions?

[Big Jim]

I drill holes close together then spud out the middle. When I'm done I fill the hole with as much snow/slush as possible so it will freeze back up as soon as possible, nothing worse than going knee deep in an old spearing hole just frozen over enough to not see.