hand augers

[dairyman]

trying to decide between the strikemaster mora or lazer---any pro or cons or is their a better choice. I'm looking for something for early ice

[Esox_Magnum]

Between the 2 lazer is better, if you can find a Nils they are the cats meow...

[MikeH55343]

Lazer by far over the Mora. I'm surprised they still make the Mora models.

[Bob Horn]

Fin-bore III is the best I have seen. They are very hard to find though. Nils is second, Strikemaster lazer third.

[Steve Foss]

It really doesn't matter too much on early ice. You're only going through 3-6 inches, then I'm guessing the OP switches over to a power auger. Unless you're drilling a ton of holes by hand through ice that thin, the relative advantages and disadvantages of auger style/brand tend to disappear.

It's when the ice is thick and/or you have a bunch of holes to drill that the differences show. The Nils is definitely the fastest/easiest hand auger I've used. Never tried the Fin-bore. Of the two mentioned by the OP, the Lazer is the better choice.

[knutty]

Definitely the lazer. I have a 6 inch that is perfect for early ice. Planning on buying a power auger this year, but the lazer has treated me well. Rips through ice nice and quick!

Knutty

[BartmanMN]

Can people with power augers buy the handle and turn their auger into a manual one for early ice? I know nils does, thinking about SM.

[SkunkedAgain]

I'd go Lazer as well. I only have owned hand augers and switched from my trusty Lazer to a Nils last season - also went from an 8" down to a 6". I have to say that the Nils is very impressive and cuts through the ice much better.

[tsande00]

Can people with power augers buy the handle and turn their auger into a manual one for early ice? I know nils does, thinking about SM.

The one "problem" I can think of with that is most power augers are at least 8" (exception being NILS which has a lot of 6" power units). Personally I would rather use a cheap 6" hand auger for early ice than mess around with an 8". It's only a couple weeks before we're taking wheelers and snowmobiles out on the ice anyways from first ice, making the hand augers even less usable since the extra 15 pounds of a gas auger is no longer a concern.

[schweady]

Can't say that I noticed that much of an upgrade when replacing my hand Mora of 25+ years with a hand Lazer a few years back (both 7 inch). Either does the job. A well-tuned and sharp Mora will cut just about as fast and last a long, long time if treated right. With either one, if you're not getting through 1 inch of ice per crank revolution, figure out what's wrong with it. (or with your technique)

[reinhard1]

i agree, i have had a Mora also for i dont know how long and with sharp blades they work just as you say. good luck.

[jmg]

Schweady,

I would also agree with you, having had both the Mora and the Lazer in 7" models. Sure wish I hadn't sold my Mora before I had tried out the Lazer or I would have sold the Lazer. With good, sharp blades, that old Mora could almost cut through 12"of ice as fast as my brother's gas Strikemaster auger, but that was back in the days when my shoulders and hands were still in good shape. The Lazer works alright, but for the price difference for early ice use, I'd go with the Mora and keep the extra money for bait. Wishing you a "fullfilling" Thanksgiving!