Hand Auger Suggestions

[RoldGold]

I'm considering getting a hand auger, just wondering what everyone else is using. What do you like/don't like about what you've got...? Thanks!

[laportian]

I have a 8 inch strike master. I like it early in the season when I'm scared I might fall thru. I put it away after the ice is 5 or 6 inches thick though. Cuts nice but the blades are junk. Seems like for as little as I actually use them I have to replace the blades every other year. Cheap made in china junk.

[cps420us]

NILS!

[FearNoFish]

I have used the mora augers (you get what you pay for) invested in a NILS auger and I will never look at anything else. Have not had to but the power head on at all this year. I bought mine from Cabelas I did send it off to get sharped right away because it was in the bargin cave.

[Esox_Magnum]

Another vote for Nils....

[Northlander]

Without any doubt I would get the Nils. Best hand auger around.

[Cyberfish]

I love my Nils! but what ever you get,it is important make sure it is the two handed kind, where you crank with both hands, much easier and faster than the kind that has a flat surface to lean on the top while cranking with your other hand..

[Rippinlip]

Not doubting a bit that the Nils is the best.

I bought a 6" HT and saved a ton.

My justification was this, I only use it when the ice is less than 5-6" and after that it is only a back up to my Power Auger.

Cuts nice and quick and no issues.

If I was planning on drilling many, many holes through very thick ice I may have to re-think my choice, but for now very happy.

[that_guy]

I love my Nils! but what ever you get,it is important make sure it is the two handed kind, where you crank with both hands, much easier and faster than the kind that has a flat surface to lean on the top while cranking with your other hand..

to clarify this, you are referring to the offset handle correct? Not the inline one?

I was just thinking about this topic and was browsing online myself and wondered what the principle difference is between the two handle styles. Your post seems to clear that up for me if my assumption is correct.

[JIvers]

I have a 8 inch strike master. I like it early in the season when I'm scared I might fall thru. I put it away after the ice is 5 or 6 inches thick though. Cuts nice but the blades are junk. Seems like for as little as I actually use them I have to replace the blades every other year. Cheap made in china junk.

I retired my 8" Mora for this reason.

I don't know if it was just because the larger diameter of the 8" made it easier to notice any bit of dullness in the blades, or there was something about the design of the 8", but I went through blades way too quickly to justify keeping it in use.

The smaller diameter Moras don't seem to have this problem, although they don't cut as well as the Nils. For augers smaller than 8", it comes down to a question of quality vs. cost, IMO.

[Jmeyers]

As long as you keep the blades sharp you'll be fine no matter which one you choose

[Mike Stark]

Nils.

[cichlid_baby]

I am thinking about getting a NILS hand auger.. in the 6 inch.. but I would rather have a 7 inch if I could find one.. not sure if it is even available..

My question is that.. I have only tried a couple of hand augers.. the Strikemaster and the Eskimo ones..

My problem with both of these were that it was hard to keep the auger centered during the beginning of the cut.... I found that as I was turning the handle around.. the drill was walking all over the area I was trying to drill... It seems that if I got the Strikemaster with the needle point then it probably would not walk around nearly as much in my estimation.. but I have not tried to know for sure...

The NILS does not have a point on the cutting head.. couple that with the offset handle which I have not had a chance to use either and I am not sure if it will be a good fit.

What are your experiences with the NILS in terms of blade walking? and the offset handle?

[Mike Stark]

It takes a bit to get used to the the Nils but once you do you will love it. It does walk on occasion tho. Nils does have a blade with a power point on it too. Which should help to keep it cutting straight.

[fishwacker1]

If you guys are near Waconia I'll let you try the NILS any day of the week.

Jesse

[Cyberfish]

I think you got it!

to clarify this, you are referring to the offset handle correct? Not the inline one?

I was just thinking about this topic and was browsing online myself and wondered what the principle difference is between the two handle styles. Your post seems to clear that up for me if my assumption is correct.

[Cyberfish]

That guy, here is a video of me drilling with my new auger, watch how both arms are in motion, though one is a bit more active maybe, I need to practise

[goosemafia]

what sizes to the nils com in?

[Mike Stark]

4, 6, 8

[Dark Cloud]

Dont get me wrong, Nils are awesome augers... But the off-set handles are the difference maker. I have a 6in strikemaster Lazer that I put an off-set on about 10 years ago. She has drilled thousands of holes...

[Cyberfish]

I agree with "Dark Cloud" it is the offset handles making the main difference, as you can see in my video, both arms are drilling rather than just one, big big difference!

[RoldGold]

Any body want to sell their Nils Great info, thanks for sharing. Nils likely isn't in the budget, but I now definitely see the benefit of the off set handles!

[dafetz]

I have a 5" Nils and a 6" Lazer. I prefer the Lazer because it leaves less shavings in the hole. I'd give the cutting edge to Nils. Wouldn't hesitate to buy either one again.

[hamms-scooter]

Check out the HT high velocity hand auger. It is alot like the nils but much cheaper. Can find at FF. It has the offset handles and comes in a 6 and 8 inch cut. If you look hard enough you could find a used Nils if you wish.

[Nilsfisher]

I have an 8" nils. I've had it for about 6 years now and have drilled about 150 holes and haven't had to sharpen the original bit head yet. I wish sometimes though that I got the 6". doing the math, it basically cuts half the ice area as the 8", so it would drill even faster and without any effort at all. I wouldn't get anything else but a nils, I've had others in the past and the nils is my favorite.

Just my 2 cents.