New auger? What should I buy

[NAMASafetyDirector]

I've ran them all throughout the years here on LOW. I don't abuse my equipment but I use it about 40-50 days a year. Went through 3 handles on 2 different Strikemasters in one season 2 years ago, got no satisfaction from Strikemaster customer service. Switched to a new Eskimo last year and could not be happier! Quick starts, excellent cutting and very strong durability. I'm running a Mako with an 8" auger and it worked perfectly every time.

[Jim Almquist]

once again its the nils boys cmon guys north and esox do u guys have stock in the company

They more then likely don't but are like me. I have ice fished for more years then I would care to mention. First power auger that I ever got to see in action was one my dad bought that was made from a aircraft landing motor and this was in the 60s. Since then I have used just about every make and model made in the Midwest from Jiffy,Strikemaster, Eskimo and Nils. I own a Nils and truly believe it will be my last ice auger that I will buy. I like how light weight and fast it cuts. There are augers out there now that are close like a few of the Strikemaster's and the IceGator with a Nils bottom that I would consider IF my Nils every went south on me but I just don't think that will ever happen because it IS a industrial grade motor. If you have never cut with one you owe it to yourself to at least try one before you make up your mind.

[Esox_Magnum]

Nope don't own stock or compensated in any way, I paid full retail for mine and IMO have an auger my grand kids will be proud to own and pass down someday.

[Northlander]

jdog if you havent tried one try one and then report back. If your not impressed I will be totally fine with that too. There are a lot of good augers like Flashers out there. The Nils just happens to be the best I ever used.

[BartmanMN]

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.

You must clear the hole a few times when drilling through thick ice or you run the risk of breaking the composite fins. If you do this, you should not have a problem. I know I have not. Oh, and don't beat on it to try and chip the ice off.

[tsande00]

You won't regret going with SM. Best bang for the buck IMO.

Both Solo and Strikemaster have been around along time and have good reputations.

It's actually fun to cut holes with your gear when it does it as efficiently as hot knife through butter!

[Wes Ellis]

I worked on augers for 25 pluss years.The best is Eskamo.I have a Z51, 9" and love it.

[tsande00]

I worked on augers for 25 pluss years.The best is Eskamo.I have a Z51, 9" and love it.

Is Eskamo the best because you have the least amount of experience working on them?

[trapperdirk]

In reality I never want to know how good any " customer service " is from any company . Us lads in Canada also cannot buy just because it is from MN . You do realize us eskimos up here in our igloos do icefish dontcha ? eh ? LOL

I would not buy an SM just because its made in Minnesota and easy to get to " customer service " . We have to be our own mechanic up here and just want to own something that runs and is dependable . If it is I will never need to know about " customer service " and whose " customer service " is the best ., eh ? Build it right so it is dependable is all I ask .

TD

[tsande00]

In reality I never want to know how good any " customer service " is from any company . Us lads in Canada also cannot buy just because it is from MN . You do realize us eskimos up here in our igloos do icefish dontcha ? eh ? LOL

I would not buy an SM just because its made in Minnesota and easy to get to " customer service " . We have to be our own mechanic up here and just want to own something that runs and is dependable . If it is I will never need to know about " customer service " and whose " customer service " is the best ., eh ? Build it right so it is dependable is all I ask .

TD

I don't think hardly anybody buys a StrikeMaster simply because they are made in MN. They buy them because they are great augers with an even better reputation. The fact they are local to some is obviously a perk (I live 5 miles from their facility), but not reason enough to justify the purchase (nor was it for me).

All bias aside, don't you think that all of the major auger manufacturers right now are building quality augers? I know there are some glitches here and there like the early SM recoils last year, but really they all seem pretty darn dependable.

All of the major manufacturers have been around forever. Not sure about NILS but their customer satisfaction speaks for itself. I don't think a person can go wrong to be honest.

Ford vs. Chevy

Everybody wants to own the best. The "best" is usually a figment of our own minds.

[trapperdirk]

True enough lad but all I ever read about is the customer service SM does . It's just dribble to us who don't live around the corner so why do the pro SM lads use it as a selling point ? .Some days I wonder if the Minnesotans think they are the only ones who icefish in the world when the SM push comes on because of " customer service ". Other states icefish too as we do up here in igloo land . LOL

I forgot though Strikemaster is in Minnesota and right around the corner for customer service for icefishermen at large . No offense intended towards the minnesotan ice runners but, come on . Your not the only ones that buy . LOL I guess that's my point too .

TD

[Chris Barlage]

Strikemster all the way, you cant beat that SOLO Power. Wish they would have made the switch years ago. IMO best auger out there right now. Dont worrie about those handles, They are very stong and they are high impact composite. Kinda like composite softball bats and they hit balls. If bats can hold up to that abuse I think these handles can handle a little ice fishing.

[Esox_Magnum]

Keep in mind a Nils does what a 2/3hp Solo does with only 1.3 hp, and faster

[JumpStart73]

a auger is a auger...oh but look, yours drilled the hole 10 seconds faster than mine......drill the hole....shut up.....and fish..........

[JoeTC]

Ok so I'll be one of the first to say don't forget to look at the new Jiffy's. The new quick detach drill assembly works really awesome and the jiffy's have always been reliable. That being said Strikmasters make great augers too and it really comes down to personal preference. Pick out the features (hole size, weight and chipper vs shaver blades) and find which brand has the best option for you. I've never heard many bad things about any of the popular brands of ice augers.

Joe

[JeffB]

I would go with an ice-gator or other electric auger if you are using a wheel house. I have a jiffy which is a nice auger, but had to get an electric just because I get tired of the smell in the house. Spilled gas and smoke get old in the wheel house.

[palisade1kid]

Not all auger are equal...found that out when I had a certain brand and it cut alright in the main part of winter ,but when the snow melted into the ice the head jammed up and now I was being shut down so I made a switch.Since that day I've been able to drill all the way through in a very quick efficient manner.

Having to drill up to 200 holes a trip getting through quickly is key to my 49 yr. old back.

In my book Strike Master Pro Lazer is my choice of ice augers and yes...having a company stand behind their product is also a must...getting shut down in not an option.

[Kodiak]

i like my strike lite, but that being said, i have busted a chunk of my composite auger @winni and the lazer blades are toast if you hit some sand in the ice. but..... no mixing gas, no smoke, light, quiet, and got to love the 4stroke.

[tsande00]

a auger is a auger...oh but look, yours drilled the hole 10 seconds faster than mine......drill the hole....shut up.....and fish..........

This is probably the best advice, to be honest.

[Northlander]

I disagree on this one. A light and fast auger makes cutting holes not only easier on your body but more enjoyable and therefore you can move more, stay out longer and thus catch more fish.

[tsande00]

If you are a run and gunner then you are better off with a Nils, SM or Eskimo. All are pretty light.

Otherwise, if you setup and camp out in the permy then it doesn't make much difference unless you're running propane or electric.

[Feathers Rainin]

I broke my plastic throtle on my Eskimo last year and I think it cost $15 for parts and labor at most and I probably could've have fixed it myself. So in my opinion don't base your decision on the plastic throtle. I love my eskimo and my dad's friend has a super old one that has been rode hard and put away wet and she is still going if that means anything to ya. They start and run fast but like many have said all of them are pretty good.

[senco 1]

So what would be better for a wheel house? 4 stroke or a electic? I hate when the house is full of smoke. And oil spots on the wall from my jiffy!

[fisherman-andy]

I worked on augers for 25 pluss years.The best is Eskimo.I have a Z51, 9" and love it.

To be honest everywhere I go I see StrikeMaster & Jiffy, especially at Gander. Most people tend to buy what they can get their hands on and there are always plenty of the SM's to go around at every sporting good store. Its difficult to find a Nils or Eskimo at most times.

You can have a bad experience with any brand auger out there regardless of how great the service is. Personally i've never had a bad experience with any brand Auger myself, well maintained they all work good.

However like everyone else I do have a preference. While we get enough gloat about SM's, Nils, Jiffies, etc we dont get enough on the Eskimos. I do believe the Eskimos get the least praise on this board.

So this is for Ardisam/Eskimo! I'll go ahead and say it, my Z51 Eskimo ROCKS! Starts everytime even on the coldest temps ive been in, cuts like a beast, and has the special 9" cutter that is better than your 8" or 10".

There.. I said it.

[headcheese]

i like the jiffys, the blades are easier to mantain. the new ones arent all that heavy. mine doesnt smoke or smell that much. only bad things i have to say is the part of the quick connect that holds the pin broke, i use it alot though, disconnecting it all the time. And the exhaust on mine points straight up in yo face.