Strikemaster or Eskimo

[Willow Sticks]

I've got a 10" Eskimo I bought new in 1993. In the winter its drilled holes in the ice and post holes in the ground in the summer. It's finally lost its go. I have to make a choice and I'm torn between Strikemaster's Lazer Pro 10" or the Eskimo Q71 10". Question is, has anybody had a chance to see either of these two side by side. I know each repective owner likes theirs but I'd be interested in hearing a testimonial from a side by side display.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Never had either, I've got a JIFFY Model 30 and have been very happy with it. It's the older white one with metal and not plastic. I think about every brand is good though.

[Tyler23]

I've got a 10" Eskimo I bought new in 1993. In the winter its drilled holes in the ice and post holes in the ground in the summer. It's finally lost its go. I have to make a choice and I'm torn between Strikemaster's Lazer Pro 10" or the Eskimo Q71 10". Question is, has anybody had a chance to see either of these two side by side. I know each repective owner likes theirs but I'd be interested in hearing a testimonial from a side by side display.

wait, your drilling post holes with your ice auger?!?

[mn_bowhunter]

My dad drilled post holes with his jiffy and didn't even remove the blade! He then used a grinder to sharpen it again thus loosing the temper on the metal. It worked fine the last five years and finally this winter I had to touch up the powerpoint and blade. I remember him hitting lots of rocks so I'm amazed it still works with the original 20-30 year old blade. As for the original question I'm no help, but couldn't resist. I think I'd spring for whichever seems to be built the best while keeping cost in mind.

[mhines]

I don't have anything to compare with, but i recently bought my first gas auger the Eskimo Mako 8in, and have no complaints. It starts on the first or second pull every time, and runs like a champ!

Just my $.02

[fisherman-andy]

Im sure either one will power through the ice nicely. I dont think you can make a bad choice here. My buddy has the Eskimo Z51 and that thing is pretty fast already. The only problem is weight with these bigger faster augers. They can tire you out fast.

[snotroket]

I bought an Eskimo Mako 8" this year and overall it's a mean cutting machine. The only thing I've noticed is that it seems to flood out fairly easy. Just don't prime the bulb more than a couple of time from a cold start and starts and runs great. I almost wish they hadn't put a primer bulb next to the carb so you only have to be a little careful. I got the Mako for a steal at $225 from Wholesale Sports, was the floor model.

[wbliceman]

get a new Strikemaster Solo. they are sweet!! I love mine!

[fisherdog19]

I had an Eskimo Z51 for a few years, although it has a good engine, the bit doesn't compare to the SM, which I have now. You don't have to put any downward pressure on the SM compared to the Eskimo; the SM cut's much faster and with much more ease.

[fisherman-andy]

I had an Eskimo Z51 for a few years, although it has a good engine, the bit doesn't compare to the SM, which I have now. You don't have to put any downward pressure on the SM compared to the Eskimo; the SM cut's much faster and with much more ease.

Im pretty sure the newly designed Augers will perform slighter faster & better. As the Z51 is outdated. But you shouldn't have to put any force downward pressure to begin with. We never done that with my buddy's 2 year old Z51. Its own turn weight makes the cut for you. When its no longer doing so, its time to sharpen or replace the blades.

[toomanyjigs]

jiffy

[jdog]

sno when it floods out does your mako leak gas i seem to have that problem wondering if it was normal for the makos

[snotroket]

jdog, yeah if you flood it out gas does tend to leak, not much but enough to notice. Like I said on a cold start I just prime the bulb once, choke it down, and usually starts after 1-2 pulls. It's one of those finicky motors that needs a little babying. I am no expert but I think all of those two stroke auger motors are finicky and tend to leak fluid of some kind. It cuts like a champion with little weight needed to keep it going through the ice.

[&JAG]

GO SOLO! StrikeMaster is on to something with the new line-up. I have the Lazer Pro and absolutely love it! One pull 80% of the time and or two pulls 20% of the time. This bad dog is through the ice in lightning speed lol. If you don't want attention don't buy it... people always come over and ask "What auger is that?" "Boy, that is fast!" etc. etc. I've been using StrikeMaster hand and power augers my whole life, why change a good thing baby?!

Pride of Big Lake, MN

[HandySpence]

I have a 4 year old 10 inch jiffy legend which is quite heavy. Cuts faster than my brothers 8 inch two blade eskimo, but i think his blades are dull. The two blade model on his would cut faster than mine if he sharpened the blade. His is lighter, but i know he has one heluva time starting it <0 degrees. I prime my bulb 10-15 times sometimes when its that cold and it starts rightup. After i get it going i have to prime it a couple times until it warms up but then im good to go. I do know that the two blade models cut faster than the 1 blade models though, but everyone is right if your going to be moving around a lot, or carying the auger a lot get a smaller one because after 100yards or so with the jiffy i get a little schvetty. I also bought a 5 inch lazer hand auger so i could bring my 3 year old out fishing and not have to worry about him falling down a hole and if you get on it you can cut pretty fast with little effort.