As I said yesterday, a machine is used cut about a foot into the ice and then the rest of the cutting is done with hand saws; big hand saws. Once the “professionals” have everything set up, they let the spectators have at it. We all took turns using saws as long as I am tall to cut the last five or six inches along the bottom of the block. I freed three blocks of ice and have to say it was a workout. The saw only cuts on the down-stroke, which is good because it’s heavy and takes a lot of muscle just to get it back into position. It’s great exercise for the thighs.
