<font color="blue"> We've certainly come a long way from the days of the hand auger. </font>
Yes we have. I started as a kid with a spud. Lotta work. When I was 10 or 12 I saved my money and bought a scoop type auger. It was shaped like a scoop on the end of a handle similar to today's augers... faster than a spud, but still a lot of work. Then I bought a 7" Mora when I was in my late teens. I still use it today. Talk about poor quality... I'm on my second set of blades in 25 years /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That thing is built like a tank. The length is not adjustable like today's model, but I'm 6' tall, so it fits perfectly. I can get through 8 inches of ice in about 15 to 20 turns. The new lazer models are pretty nice, too, but I still like my Mora better. I also have a 10 inch gas auger with 50CC engine. I've only used it a few times. Too heavy to justify carrying it unless the ice is really thick and you go with a group. Then it works pretty cool. I like to travel light. I carry a 5 gallon bucket with seat and 3 poles in it, plus my lunch. I hang it on the auger handle, throw it over my shoulder and go. I can stay out almost all day as long as the temps stay above 10 below. Colder than that and I have to take a break every couple of hours. Last year was the first year that I started taking a thermos filled with hot beverages. That was really nice /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
