New auger? What should I buy

[blackleech]

Im looking for a nice light auger, that drills fast and is reliable? Im replacing my old Jiffy Model 30, never let me down in 10 years but is heavy. Im leaning towards the Strikemaster but am not to thrilled about plastic handles...seems cheap. Any suggestions?

Cheers!!

[shnelson]

I haven't had any issues with my plastic handles, they are pretty sturdy considering the material.

Just take some extra precautions with the auger and you wont have any problems - i have had it fall from leaning against the truck and they stayed intact, but i don't suspect they'll hold up to it if I were to keep up with that practice!

[chad austin]

+1 for strikemaster plastic durability

I've had my lazer mag for 3 years and have not had an issue yet

[FrontenacPike]

My strike lite has taken a beating. I have also had it leaning against my truck in -10deg weather, tip and not do a thing. If you are like me and try to shed pounds any where possible, you cant beat the strike lite. I'm always tossing my auger over my shoulder and hoofing it to remote spots. After owning mine for 2 years I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[blackleech]

Ok I think I will try out the Strikemasters. Are the 4 stroke models alot better then the 2 stoke? The shop I was looking at was charging about $100 more for the 4 stroker.

Cheers!!

[Esox_Magnum]

If you want fast, reliable and light it don't get any better than a Nils Master....

[Northlander]

I have ran every auger out there except the Jiffy Propane unit. Although I have ran it I havent cut with it. I agree 100% with a Nils Master Auger. Nils augers are super light, fast and dependable. If you buy the long shaft you wont need a extension either. I love mine and wouldnt buy any other.

[LakeoftheWoods]

I'm looking at getting an eskimo. saw a few last year and thought they cut like butta

[trapperdirk]

Since you have justifable concerns abot the plastic whatever Strikemaster handles and also the weight of the Jiffys which Eskimos too have . Your only option is a Nils or Husquavarna

Really though, just use the search button and it is your best friend because the wars have been done and you will find everybodys thoughts on every auger from electric to two stroke to 4 and propane .

TD

[blackleech]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I can live with the plastic handles, seems they hold up. I just dropped a bunch of money on a FL-22 and the Nils Master is too pricey but the Strikemasters are more in my price point.

I tried to search "best auger" and few other titles and came up with 5 pages of "auger carriers" and talk on "nils master augers" maybe I'm doing something wrong??

Cheers!!

[redtrucks]

Support MN - buy a Strikemaster.

[trapperdirk]

Here we go . LOL

TD

[croixflats]

Nils is an awesome unit but if you are in dirty ice expect to have dull blades. The power unit is to be admired with, the shaver head dulls easy if in an area with a lot of traffic or wind blown sand. Find an all around cutter, Nils is not that. I have a Nils 2 tears old with two heads(both sharpened ounce) on and one I am told can not be sharpened sufficiently, low use with that head. I expect to plop the unit down and drill a whole season not for me. Their costumer service is a run around, horrible.

=

A Nils guy can pick mine up $75 less than a sale with one head and a head that cuts respectively. I Baby my equipment. Amsoil only and I will give a years worth. Nah! Mine must have been defective and Nils did not stand behind the product even after numerous complaints. Actually you do not deal with Nils you deal with a distributor/ Sales shop.

[Esox_Magnum]

Sorry to hear criox, mines going strong yet after 2 full seasons of use and still shows no signs of needing sharpened. I agree through shaver blades of any brand are not made for sandy/dirty ice no matter the brand or maker.

[Hardyboy]

Strike master is the hands down choice for me for the following:

1. well built

2. well built right here in the U.S.A

3. customer service best in the industry

4. ability to walk in to shop in Big Lake MN for any service while you wait

5. durable blades

I could go on but i think you get the point

[jdog]

id agree with the strikemaster ive got both the old skrikemaster mag 2000 and an eskimo mako and the strikemaster by far is my ol reliable

[herefish101]

I love my Lazer Mag, I'v been runnin strikemaster for eight years now, i'v had two different augers(sold one to a buddy) both still run great and cut like crazy, I guess i'v never hit this "sandy ice" that people are talking about and I fish all over the state. I know of nobody that bought a strikemaster and then hated it.

[magicstix]

Croixflats, I feel your frustration. been there. Another option for your powerhead is have a machine shop make you an adapter to get from the nils to a SM 6" auger shaft. It'll power a 6" nicely but it really struggles with the SM 8". I never tried a 7" but it might be able to do a 7". Thats if you have a need or desire for a 6" hole. When it comes time for my next auger I'll probably go back to SM. good luck.

[harvey lee]

Herer you go and honest as can be.

StrikeMaster

1-fast

2-light

3-cleans out hole better than Nils does

Nils

1-Fast

2-Light

3-Leaves a kind of dirty hole.

Both are fast, light and work very well. I have had no issues with both and would be happy with either one. Some say StrikeMaster as they have a shop in Big Lake. I just about never hear of an issue with the Nils at all. One can get the Nils fixed pretty easy so no worries there. Cutting tips are about the same also.

It's asy to state one is better than the other but unless one has used or owns both, that means about nothing.

[Esox_Magnum]

One thing I don't miss from the SM days is having to buy new blades at least once a year, remember to factor in that cost of ownership over the time you will own it and saving $100 up front will cost you that in a year or to and keep adding. Currently my cost per season on my Nils is $5 tops gas/oil $25-30 every 3-5 years to get the blade resharpened and the intial investment of $70 for a spare cutting head just in case. High end my Nils on average will cost me $21 a year to run and maintain, over half of what 1 set of new blades run a year for a SM. Take a SM Lazer figure same gas usage new blades every 2 years even and your yearly cost is on the very low end $32 a season, add a set of blades a year and your looking at $70 a year easily. Just another way of looking at things..... Estimates based on 10 year ownership and not including auger purchase

[crappiebuster]

I have a 11 yr old strikemaster I recieved as a birthday present for my 15th birthday. Think it was one of the first years they had the new handle system. I fish 90+ days a season and drill well over 1000 holes a season. I just fired it up a few days ago from its long summer slumber and it started second pull. The only problem I ever had with it was about 2 yrs ago I snapped the recoil on a -25 degree morning. Figuring how many times that thing has been pulled on in arctic conditions im suprised it lasted as long as it did. I relubed it with that arctic tip up grease and have never had a problem since. Ive run amsoil for the past 5 or 6 yrs and follow proper storage procedure in the off season by running stabill in the tank for a few mins then fogging the carb and puttin a lil squirt into the piston. Always starts second pull. When it craps out if it ever does I'm going right to the store and buying another strikemaster.

[Northlander]

Support MN - buy a Strikemaster.

Where is that Solo made?

[Esox_Magnum]

My old SM was one of the original Lazer Mag before the express was an excellent auger so when it was stole I replaced it with another and after 2 seasons with it and many repairs I went to the Nils 3 years ago and couldnt be happier. Not sure who near me works on Solo engines and I'm not close to Big Lake, what other companies use the German Solo motors on theirproducts???

[motley man]

Anyone have input on the new augers with plastic auger fins. Bought one couple years ago and the fins broke first time out drilling holes in 3 feet of ice. Took it back and got different auger with steel fins.

[Hardyboy]

SM when they came out with the four stroker used plastic auger shaft and i think still do. I was able the first year to use one at the brainerd jaycees ice fishing tournament. i volunteered to drill holes and in return was given a second ticket to the contest which was cool. But back to the auger i drilled approximately 250 to 300 holes in a row not only did i use only a just over a half tank of gas but the thing never broke stride. it was clean ice so im sure there were different variables when i used it but it worked good for me.