strikemaster auger question.

[JSK76]

I was looking at the new solo Strikemasters at lunch today and they look nice, kinda put a bug in me and now I kinda want one.

I have been using a Jiffy for the past 15 years and don't know much about the Strikemaster with the twin blades, are they that much better then the single blade? I would be getting a 10" if got one.

[jwhjr]

They cut much faster and with less effort, but if you plan on re-opening old holes the single blade chipper works better.

[walleyeslayr]

They are WAY better than a Jiffy. Much faster, and they reopen old holes. You won't be disappointed.

[deadeye]

They do cut much faster than the chippers. I have owned both of these and I have to say I like the twin blades better. That being said they do take more up-keep than the chipper blade does.

I usually replace my blades once a year with the double blades and I sharpen them every other trip. With the chipper, I had the same blade for years and the only thing I ever did was sharpen it, once.

The chipper blade does work much better than the double blades for re-opening holes. It seems like the chipper doesnt hang up as much and it gives a more even cut. I have found that re-opening holes with the double blades really dulls them quick. It can be done, but its just not ideal.

In the end, either one is better than man-power. Its much more enjoyable to spend the energy fishing rather than drilling.

[JSK76]

I always had good luck with Jiffy blades I went 14 years on my blades and then last year I went from a 8" to a 10" and the blades were still great, never sharpened once. The one reason I was thinking of getting a SM is the Jiffy was hard to start when it was really cold and with the new electronic ignition on the solo I think it would solve this.

I do a lot of redrilling in my wheel house, so most of you think a chipper blade would be best for this?

[mr_jman]

I would only re-open a hole with a chipper blade. The other blades may work but they aren't designed for reopening holes. Other blades can get damaged, or get dull quickly. I don't even bother opening old holes, I just drill next to them but in a permanent you would obviously have to I suppose.

[palisade1kid]

My new Lazor Pro pulls me through the ice and I can drill twice the holes my Jiffy STX Stealth could. I sold the Jiff...love my StrikeMaster.

[fisherdog19]

If you're a run and gun fisherman, there is no comparison between a Jiffy and Strikemaster. The Strikmaster drills the hole without having to put any downward pressure on the auger; the twin blades are curved on two planes (vertical and horizontal) and dig into the ice as it drills, all on it's own. Also, with the new Solo, the RPM and torque is incredible so it's even faster.

[Fred_Bear]

If you're a run and gun fisherman, there is no comparison between a Jiffy and Strikemaster.

I'm going to be a minority here but I disagree. I fish lakers with a couple guys who have about 5 year old Lazer Mags and I run a 20+ year old Jiffy Model 30. One of the Lazer Mags only runs about half the time so I definitely am not impressed with that machine. The other Lazer Mag runs well and I can keep up drilling holes with it all day using the Model 30. I have used his SM and it's nice, but still doesn't cut too fast and also is a fair amount of work to drill with. Also when it was -25 one morning the Jiffy started right up, and both strikemasters needed to be warmed up inside a portable before they would start. The only downfall is the Jiffy is a lot heavier. But will the SM be in this same shape in 15 years like the model 30 is... I doubt it.

I will admit though, I've used other old model 30's and they are no comparison to the one I use. I don't know what it is about that auger but it flat out cuts ice.

[anyfishaldo]

I moved home from FL 6 years ago and my little bro had an Eskimo Baricuda (8 yrs old) and swore by it. I bought the newer MAKO three years ago and dumped it after half a season. Thank God for Cabelas return policy after the throttle went. I upgraded to a Lazer Mag and it cuts like no tomorrow. I would not change a thing, started 1st pull last weekend after idle since March. We cut holes together and I outcut him 2 to 1 easy. He now is the depth finder while I make swiss cheese out of the lake!

[fisherdog19]

Both had the Tecumseh engine, the Solo with beat them both hands down. I don't think there's anyone out there that will say a Jiffy will cut faster than a SM. I had a Jiffy, my first auger, and it ran terrible and you had to push down on it to get it to cut.

[JSK76]

So I think I would go with the chipper blade for reopening my holes in my house, but now do you think I would be happy with 2hp Magnum? or would the 2 1/2 lazer mag or 3 hp Lazer pro be that much better? Also, do SM augers only come with a certain blade for that model, like can you buy a Lazer Mag with a chipper blade?

I raced my buddy with his Tecumseh 2 hp Magnum, his was new and mine had 14 years on the blades and I beat him buy 3 seconds but I'm not bragging, I had 33% more hp and mine was a 8" at that time, and his was a 10". So since the Solo motor is even better, I would think the new Magnum 2hp would be faster yet, and feel like I upgraded to a faster auger even though it 1 hp smaller.

On a side note, do people ever put a 10" full steal auger on a Strike-lite? I know it would get heavy but my Jiffy is a tank close to 40# so I would be use to it. I guess that would get very spendy though, but I just like 4 strokes.

[fisherdog19]

The 2hp Magnum chipper with the Solo will be plenty of power, you don't need the 2.5 or 3hp. When you beat a 10" Strikemaster with a 8" Jiffy, it's not a good comparison. The 10" is drilling through 25% more ice then the 8". Apples to Apples, the lazer blade will always cut faster than a chipper, even in the Strikemaster model. The extra hp doesn't always mean faster cutting, it mostly gives you more torque. Don't get caught up on more power. If drilling through 3 ft of ice, the extra tourque may come in handy. The Strike Lite is made for 8" or less, don't use a 10" flighting on it, it may void your warranty.

[JSK76]

When you beat a 10" Strikemaster with a 8" Jiffy, it's not a good comparison. The 10" is drilling through 25% more ice then the 8".

I agree. I was just stating how fast the Strikemaster was. Smaller motor, bigger drill, but only 3 seconds slower in 20 some inches of ice. BTW my friend claims it was only 1 second slower, he might be right.

[Riich]

When I read all these forums, I keep wondering why everyone is so hung up on having the fastest, biggest, best thing on the ice? Especially when it comes to augers.

I say forget the races and just fish.

[Chef]

I've used the LazerMag 2Hp with a 10" drill for over 10 yrs now and never had an issue with performance. Customer service is the best too! Also a MN based company...

[kitchy]

When I read all these forums, I keep wondering why everyone is so hung up on having the fastest, biggest, best thing on the ice? Especially when it comes to augers.

I say forget the races and just fish.

Well oh yea.....my ice scoop will beat anybody elses on the market. It's the biggest, fastest, and prettiest scoop on the ice.

[walleyewild]

I agree with Riich,

It would be a different story if I was in the business of renting a bunch of houses or guiding a lot of people.

I have a 4-5 year old SM mag 2000 with a 10" auger, put my older 8" on there from my mag 3+ that after 20 years the motor had a scored cylander wall, replaced the blade on the 8" and it cuts a hole in 24" of ice in about 30 seconds which is plenty fast for me.

WW

[Brad B]

So I think I would go with the chipper blade for reopening my holes in my house, but now do you think I would be happy with 2hp Magnum? or would the 2 1/2 lazer mag or 3 hp Lazer pro be that much better? Also, do SM augers only come with a certain blade for that model, like can you buy a Lazer Mag with a chipper blade?

You could buy the 2 1/2 or 3 hp model and then buy a 8.25" or 10.25" Chipper drill unit for it. all strike master drill units will interchange with their power heads unless the shaft diameter on the new solo is different then the techcumseh. The issue would be the extra cost involved. $450.00 (2 1/2 hp)or $480.00 (3 hp) + $125.00 for the drill unit

[eyehunter78]

I have a 8" Lazer and it doesn't reopen old holes for nothing. Good thing I still have my trusty mag chipper blade to use. The Lazer does cut a new hole very fast. In your case I would buy the 8.25" chipper blade you will be happier with this for reopening holes.

[H20fowlr]

I have the old 49cc Magnum III and bought the new lazer drill. I out drilled two new lazers on Red almost 2:1. Obviously mine is a bit heavier and louder. The only uninteded consequence of me doing this is now I am usually the last one fishing, since I get designated to drill the holes!!

[Brad B]

yea H2O I was thinking about getting a lazer drill unit for my magnum also. hearing how good this works I may just have to do this now.

[JSK76]

My buddy said he watch a program on TV this weekend and it was about Strikemaster augers and he said a guy from Strikemaster way saying a lot of people are fishing in permanent houses now so they came up with what my buddy described as some kinda attachment that goes on the auger bit by the blades that makes uses the TWIN blades for reopening holes. I never seen any thing on SM site or anything in the stores, any one have an idea what he is describing?