Nils auger-----Worth it?

[racing]

I know these auger posts get beat to death,but you guys that own Nils are they worth the extra money,and what do you do about sharpening the blades or the cutter head. I am going to buy a new auger so I had to ask these questions.

[Reynolds]

I own a Nilsmaster, and I love it. It is fast, lightweight, and durable. Is it worth the extra money??? Strikemaster makes a great product as well. Product service and quick access to parts will not be an issue with SM. Having said that, I do like my Nils, but I probably would be just as happy with a SM. Just trying to give an honest opinion.

[DTro]

You are right, this topic is beaten to death and will always be.

First, the price difference between the Nils and its nearest competitors is getting closer ever year, so keep that in mind. The Nils isn't so outrageously priced as one might think.

Here is what you get for the extra money:

-The Nils ships with a hand auger adapter. A 2 for 1 if you will. This isn't just any hand auger, its a hand auger that probably cuts better than any other hand auger out there.

-The Nils comes standard in a 48" auger shaft. It takes a LOT of ice to even think about needing an extension. It also means less bending over for those that are on the tall side.

-The Nils has a industrial grade Tanaka motor that is rated (or was, not sure about the new solo on the SM) at nearly twice the service life as the competition.

-The Nils is significantly lighter than the competition at only 23lbs.

-The Nils has a handle design that allows manipulation into corners of perm houses.

-The Nils is super fast and easy to handle. I can literally drill holes one handed with my auger.

The Nils does not have blades, but rather a cutting head that is super sharp. As with other augers, they will need to be sharpened depending on usage. I would say that under normal conditions that once every year or two is probably to be expected. One of the staff members here (Surface Tension) does an outstanding job sharpening the heads and just recently has become an authorized sharpener. Not to mention he charges a fair price as well.

I have nothing negative to say about the other augers, but these are what I see as the advantages of the Nils.

[Reynolds]

I will say that even though I have the 48" auger, I would have liked an extension a time or two. I own a skid house on Mille Lacs that is mounted on 4"x4" steel. Middle February my hands are usually at or slightly below the floor with the house sitting on 2"x4"s. I believe the Strikelite is comparable in weight. I may be wrong, but I believe the Strikelite weighs 24lbs. I chose the Nils over the Strikelite because I was not a fan of the plastic auger. But keep in mind, a Strikelite is nearly the same price as a Nils.

[Jim Almquist]

You are right, this topic is beaten to death and will always be.

First, the price difference between the Nils and its nearest competitors is getting closer ever year, so keep that in mind. The Nils isn't so outrageously priced as one might think.

Here is what you get for the extra money:

-The Nils ships with a hand auger adapter. A 2 for 1 if you will. This isn't just any hand auger, its a hand auger that probably cuts better than any other hand auger out there.

-The Nils comes standard in a 48" auger shaft. It takes a LOT of ice to even think about needing an extension. It also means less bending over for those that are on the tall side.

-The Nils has a industrial grade Tanaka motor that is rated (or was, not sure about the new solo on the SM) at nearly twice the service life as the competition.

-The Nils is significantly lighter than the competition at only 23lbs.

-The Nils has a handle design that allows manipulation into corners of perm houses.

-The Nils is super fast and easy to handle. I can literally drill holes one handed with my auger.

The Nils does not have blades, but rather a cutting head that is super sharp. As with other augers, they will need to be sharpened depending on usage. I would say that under normal conditions that once every year or two is probably to be expected. One of the staff members here (Surface Tension) does an outstanding job sharpening the heads and just recently has become an authorized sharpener. Not to mention he charges a fair price as well.

I have nothing negative to say about the other augers, but these are what I see as the advantages of the Nils.

+1

Surface Tension can sharpen your cutting head. I always have my spare with at all times just in case.

I did cut a hole one handed just to see if I could do it

Nils Master Sharpening Service

[Esox_Magnum]

Originally Posted By: dtro

You are right, this topic is beaten to death and will always be.

First, the price difference between the Nils and its nearest competitors is getting closer ever year, so keep that in mind. The Nils isn't so outrageously priced as one might think.

Here is what you get for the extra money:

-The Nils ships with a hand auger adapter. A 2 for 1 if you will. This isn't just any hand auger, its a hand auger that probably cuts better than any other hand auger out there.

-The Nils comes standard in a 48" auger shaft. It takes a LOT of ice to even think about needing an extension. It also means less bending over for those that are on the tall side.

-The Nils has a industrial grade Tanaka motor that is rated (or was, not sure about the new solo on the SM) at nearly twice the service life as the competition.

-The Nils is significantly lighter than the competition at only 23lbs.

-The Nils has a handle design that allows manipulation into corners of perm houses.

-The Nils is super fast and easy to handle. I can literally drill holes one handed with my auger.

The Nils does not have blades, but rather a cutting head that is super sharp. As with other augers, they will need to be sharpened depending on usage. I would say that under normal conditions that once every year or two is probably to be expected. One of the staff members here (Surface Tension) does an outstanding job sharpening the heads and just recently has become an authorized sharpener. Not to mention he charges a fair price as well.

I have nothing negative to say about the other augers, but these are what I see as the advantages of the Nils.

+1

Surface Tension can sharpen your cutting head. I always have my spare with at all times just in case.

I did cut a hole one handed just to see if I could do it

Nils Master Sharpening Service

BIG +2 I love my Nils, I did but a spare head just in case, may seem a little spendy but not much more than 1 set of blades for any other auger and you only have to buy it once. Sharpening costs half of a new set of the other brands so in time you save money. I would say my Nils may be the last auger I ever buy.

[racing]

Thanks for the input I really appreciate the info.I hated to ask but I wanted some honest insight on the Nils. Thanks

[Casey Sunsdahl]

And Dtro didn't mention that they are SUPER fast...

[FISHINGURU]

hey has anyone mentioned they are also super fast?

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Pretty fast too

[Esox_Magnum]

I helped a few folks out last year that were having starting/running issues or didn't know you could sharpen or replace your blades( 5 minutes a hole with 2 guys laying on the auger) Should see their eyes pop when I punch 4 holes in about 1 minute or less.

I am surprised noones mentioned they are fast yet.

[caseymcq]

...

-The Nils is significantly lighter than the competition at only 23lbs.

...

If by significantly lighter you mean 3 lbs less.

Whether or not it is worth the extra money is all relative. If it is worth the extra $$ to YOU for the industiral grade motor, the 48" bit, the blades than by all means get the Nils.

The SM's are pretty fast going through the ice, slightly heavier (3 lbs.), blades are more readily available and they are a few bucks cheaper (well maybe more than a few, $120. I saw a SM Lazer Mag 8" advertised from a well known sporting goods store that rhymes with "weeds" for $400)

[Esox_Magnum]

Nils and top end Strikemaster are about the same price, There was $20 difference between my Nils and the Strikelight when I got mine. Difference with the blase is witha SM you buy a new set when they get dull a Nils you resharpen, $40 for 1 set of Lazer blades around here or $65 for a spare head for my Nils and $20 every 1-2 years to get resharpened. What sold me on the Nils over the Strikelite was the steel bit and weighed less, plus I like being different. I would be still using my old Lazer they made before the Lazer Mag but some thief owns it now. What I wonder is why do guys dump their 1-5 year old Jiffys and Strikemasters so often for new ones but it's rare to see a Nils for sale?

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: dtro

...

-The Nils is significantly lighter than the competition at only 23lbs.

...

If by significantly lighter you mean 3 lbs less.

I guess I should've said greater than 10% lighter

[bgreen82]

imo, as a guy who maybe fishes once a week and drills about 10 holes max every time out, unless im not on fish, the mag2000 (r now magnum) is more than enough as far as speed and reliability(so far only had for 1 season) but starts great and is just as light as nils at maybe 25 lbs. max. plus cs is in MN right? my 2 cents. never used anything other than that and a 3 horse jiffy, and my sm is much better than the jiffy i think.

[bgreen82]

i guess what im saying is if you run and gun and are drilling huge amounts of holes then i'd get the nils for all points already stated "plus they are a little faster" if you hadnt heard, but if your like me, the mag is good, unless YOU think otherwise.

[Borch]

All I can say is that I love mine. Prior to my nils I had several strikemaster augers. They are good as well. But I do a tough od running and gunning so the nils worked best for me.

Although I haven't run strikemasters new solo engine yet so who knows.

[Esox_Magnum]

A SM Mag 2000 is much heavier than a Nils, I had one when I got the Nils now my partner has it there is a noticable difference. Some days I only drill 5 holes some days 50, I have no regrets buying the best on the market. I spend way more than that on just 1 rod and reel combo.

[caseymcq]

I would consider the Lazer Mag more comparable to the Nils. The Strike Lite is a 4-stroke motor with less aggressive blades because of the motor putting out less RPMs and being mounted to a composite shaft rather than steel.

The Strike Lite is advertised at 20 lbs while the Nils is advertised at 22 - 23 lbs (depending on the web site ) The Lazer Mag is 26 lbs.

Like I said Lazer Mag $400 - Nils $520.

I have a 9" Lazer Mag. When I fish lake trout I will often times drill 20+ holes before I wet a line. I have been very happy with my Strike Master. I also got a smokin' deal on it (Thanks Northlander ) by buying a slightly used auger. That may even be an option a person may want to consider to save even more $$$ for other equipment

[harvey lee]

imo, as a guy who maybe fishes once a week and drills about 10 holes max every time out, unless im not on fish, the mag2000 (r now magnum) is more than enough as far as speed and reliability(so far only had for 1 season) but starts great and is just as light as nils at maybe 25 lbs. max. plus cs is in MN right? my 2 cents. never used anything other than that and a 3 horse jiffy, and my sm is much better than the jiffy i think.

The Nils is les than 25#'s.

[Esox_Magnum]

Stans Bait in Milford has a Nils as well as all the other brands. The fairest prices around this area.

[bgreen82]

sm is maybe 25. youre comparing 25 to 23 like its a huge deal.

[harvey lee]

If I cut 150 holes in a day, it is to me with a bad back.

[bgreen82]

i guess another reason why i said if he was a guy who fishes like you to get a nils, but if he drills 10-15 per day then it might not be that big a deal to go with sm. for me, $500 plus was out of the question for a power auger and im sure it is for a lot of people. not sure if he can afford it, just saying. but im sure when im older, with a slightly more stable budget and more time on my hands to fish, it is something i would definitely consider.

[Esox_Magnum]

I fish a bunch and was going top of the line no matter the maker, Nils to me seemed like the best choice, All get the job done but when you walk a mile to a spot 2-3 pounds makes a difference.