Strike Master Augers - Question?

[Carpenter]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the new strike master augers? I understand the 4stroke and the electric, but the other 3 types?

Thanks,

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

2.5hp lazer, 3hp lazer, 2.5hp chipper.

[TravP]

Lazers have 2 blades, chippers have 1.

[walleyvoyager]

lazers have smooth cutting edges, the chipper has "teeth". Lazers are good for new holes where the chippers a good for new and reopening.

[tsande00]

Can anybody explain to me the need for the 3hp model over the 2.5hp? I have the 2.5 and can't believe how fast it shreds through ice. Would the three hp be more beneficial in deep ice conditions with an extension? I wonder how much difference there is between the 2.5 and 3.

[Carpenter]

Anyone use the electric version? I'm guessing it runs of a vex battery or something? how many holes can one do w/o hooking it to the truck?

[rickl1968]

I have the mag 2000 and have no problem cutting a 10 1/4 hole through 4 feet of ice with an ajustable extention. Just have to clear the hole a coupe of times of the ice chips on the way through.

[TravP]

The chipper is also drills like a turtle comparing it to a lazer. Also, the lazer pulls itself through the ice.

[picksbigwagon]

I bought a lazer last winter replacing a chipper style blade and i could not believe how the auger wanted to pull me towards the ice. It was new to me and really ripped through the ice as well

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I bought the 2.5hp model last spring and used it on a perch trip. It drilled holes at least 2:1 over any auger I've ever used or seen. It was kind of scary knowing that if that auger caught you'd be in a double arm cast before you could blink.

[Ed Carlson]

lazers have smooth cutting edges, the chipper has "teeth". Lazers are good for new holes where the chippers a good for new and reopening.

I also agree with that comparison.

Chippers also are easier for the end users to sharpen and maintain themselves, while a shaver needs to be professionally sharpened or you will turn them to junk. A spare set of shavers is always wise to have on hand, as they can be damaged more easily on sandy ice or if you use them to reopen old holes..that will greatly shorten the blades life.

Modern 2.5's have a lot of power for holes up to 8.25. After that, 9.25" to 10.25 a 3 HP is well advised.

[hcmpls1]

How often should lazer blades be sharpened? Do you just bring your auger to Stikemaster in Big Lake and they take care of you on the spot?

[herefish101]

How often should lazer blades be sharpened? Do you just bring your auger to Stikemaster in Big Lake and they take care of you on the spot?

i'v had my lazer for five years now. I just changed the blades at the end of last season, I never once got them sharpened, I run and gun so I drill tons of holes, the things just keep cutting. I kept the old blades as back up.

[polarsusd81]

You really don't want to sharpen the blades on a lazer, but rather replace them. Costs about 25 bucks. Last year I put over 6000 holes on one set of lazer blades and they cut good at the end of the season. Not as good as the early part of the season, but still cutting holes faster than a lot of other augers out there.

[TravP]

I have to agree with Ed about the sand, it takes its toll on blades.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Strikemaster now has the Carbide Dual Prairie Chipper model. It is made for windswept areas with a lot of sand. Strikemaster claims it will stay sharp three times longer than the traditional chipper. I've only seen this product on their HSOforum.

[Steve Foss]

How often should lazer blades be sharpened? Do you just bring your auger to Stikemaster in Big Lake and they take care of you on the spot?

I agree with Ed's assessment of HP and drill size, in general.

As to your question, I always had two sharp sets of blades when I ran a Lazer. When I bought the auger, I bought a second set of blades. At the end of the first season, I took off the old ones, put on the new ones, and went down to the tackle store and exchanged the used set for a set of factory resharpened blades on the exchange program you see in a lot of MN tackle stores.

Lots cheaper than buying new blades (especially since I ran the 10-inch XL3000 for 10 years), and since I couldn't sharpen them myself, this worked great. Plus, if I hit an embedded rock or pocket of sand/grit, I had that second sharp set waiting, so I'd just swap them out and make a trip to the tackle store again in the next day or two to exchange for another set. After a few years of doing this, I actually ended up with three total sets of blades, one on the auger and two in reserve. It never happened that I ever needed that third set myself, but guys cutting river ice tend to run into more grit/wear than lake guys like me.

Without mishaps, one set of factory resharpened exchange Lazer blades easily lasted through the season on lakes, even with heavy use.

[Ed Carlson]

I am replacing my Jiffy and I will likely go with the StikeMaster 3 HP Solo, and the new Carbide Dual Prairie Chipper system. As I do lots of prairie lakes and rivers, and this type of drilling is very tough on shaver blades.

This is my personal preference, but for many, the shaver Lazer blades may be the best fit.