That's funny you mention that. I remember getting my first hand auger on xmas day. so that day i walked from my back yard to Lunch Bay ( right near Place D'Olreans
) and first hole i struck a rock! my blades were shot. oh well, i learned my lesson, know your depth.
here's my advice on hand augers.
1- Don't lend to friends, punch holes for them. I had a Finn-Bore II, great auger!!!! But my friend was not using it properly. He was pushing down on the top handle, and only turning the bottom one. man again i learned my lesson. Same friend pulled the starter cord straight out of my chainsaw, busting the starter recoil spring.
I stopped lending stuff to friends, no matter who you are.
2- Get a gas auger. i'v spent too much cash on hand augers! and when the ice gets thick you'll wish you had a power auger. Up in Quebec you are allowed to fish with 5 lines during the winter. Five friends of us would go out for a day of Pike ice fishing and use a power auger, can you imagine 25 holes with a hand auger? ....
just my opinion