Brittle ice

I often wonder to myself while climbing brittle ice and hearing it pop/seeing it crack: should I keep hacking away until I’ve cleared the surface crud, or should I simply trust this stick, which feels great otherwise? I suppose, like many other things in life, it depends, but what say you, people of the internet? 

When leading make sure every tool placement is bomber or at least something you feel comfortable moving on. if on top rope play around and see what blows and whats good. I have definately hacked off a lot of ice on a few leads.

+1 to figuring this out on toprope.  I've seen more folks than I'd care to who bust off 10 pounds of ice on (nearly) every stick. Don't be that guy.  It also helps to have a thin tipped pick. Leave the 4mm drytooling weapons at home.