Which Ice Auger To Buy

[JeremyCampbell]

I havnt had a gas auger before.I want to be able to cover more area in the least amount of time.I'm usually wiped out hand drilling after the 4th hole.So I'm looking for something around the $500 or less range.Any ideas as far as brand and quality for the money would be so helpful.Thank you!

[Brad B]

Strike Master Magnum or Lazer Mag. both can be found for less then $500. personally I would hold out and look at clam's new gas auger. it is basically the same as a lazer mag but is blue in color and has the clam name on it instead of strike master. Jiffy's are okay but they are on the heavier side. you could always look for a good used one, just be careful and look it over good. I have seen some used ones that were trash.

[gonehunting]

I would have to agree with the Strikemaster Solo Magnum or Lazer Pro. I have the Strikemaster Lazer Pro and I have never owned a nicer running, faster cutting auger than this. I've owned other Strikemasters,Eskimo, and Jiffy augers. I've heard that Jiffy is coming out with a lighter weight propane auger which would be nice also. The Lazer Pro runs about $525 new but the 3hp is worth the extra money. It is a hole drilling machine.

[uffdapete]

Solo x 2!

[otterman91105]

I'm also a strikemaster guy. Had mine for years with no problems.

[fisherman-andy]

I also use the Strikemaster Solo Lazer pro. But its not the auger for everyone. There are pros and cons. Magnum with the chipper drill bottom are too slow for me. Lazer blades dull easy and I dont recommend them on shallow or dirty lakes especially with sand. A good auger for run and gun tactics. Always back backup blades handy.

Jiffy is just too heavy for my liking.

Eskimo can be a mid range option for you here. Their blades are a combo shaver/chipper. Aggressive cut, and the blades dont dull easily. Plus can be found for budget friendly prices.

[DLD24]

I love my eskimo Z51 shark...Me and my broher got an eskimo barracuda between 15 and 20yrs ago and that thing was still going strong, so I decided I would stick with Eskimo...I bought my shark last year around this time from Glens Army Navy for $260 with tax and shipping...it was WAY cheaper than any other stores...I used my buddys Jiffy Propane once last year and I will definately say its heavy and not for hole hopping...

[DTro]

I can recommend Strikemaster Lazer without hesitation and don't see any reason you would need to buy anything else.

[ClownColor]

SM's are only big in MN. Way to much plastic. They make a killing on those replacement handles. Go with an eskimo (watch out for a few plastic models as well) or jiffy. Stay away from anything clam until they actually develope some quality control....especially on new stuff.

[Matt C]

Strikemaster Lazer. Fast, light and very reliable. Service is top notch, and local!

[JSK76]

SM's are only big in MN.

Since we have 10,000 lakes that's gotta tell you something!

[SpecialK]

I bought the propane Jiffy last year and have nothing but good things to say about it. Wish I would have gotten the 10" but that's another thread and argument.

[Matt Breuer]

Be SURE to check out Clam's line of augers coming out this year.... www.clamoutdoors.com After running them at the end of last season, they will be my go-to's for this coming season!

[JeremyCampbell]

Thank you very much,sounds like the lazer is the machine with a lot of good reviews.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I don't know how much ice you are hand drilling but you must be pretty tough!!! Most of the guys I see on the ice hand drilling I offer to drill some holes for them. Haven't been turned down yet!!!

I have had a JIFFY drill ( 8 inch) for a number of years and it's been OK. It's never failed to start but I have to admit that there has been times it came close. I take care of my "stuff" with maintenance and fresh gas. I have looked at most of the drills out there and they all seem pretty good. It is going to boil down to preference.

I would get recommendations from people that you know that have different types of drills. If they have the same type of drill, that should tell you something.

Good Luck and good fishing!!!!!

Mike

[DTro]

The picture of the Clam auger on their site appears to be identical to the SM, so are they just rebranding them?

[JeremyCampbell]

Well,when I'm worn out from drilling sometimes I follow foot prints and I get lucky once in a while and find some fresh cut holes.Im sure I'm not the only one that does this when all you have is a hand auger.

[Alagnak]

The picture of the Clam auger on their site appears to be identical to the SM, so are they just rebranding them?

Kind of like 99% of their 'new' line of jigs. Every one is a rip off of someone else's jig design that's been out for years.

And I'll admit. When SM came out with the plastic handles I was skeptic. Not only have I never broken one, I do not know anyone personally who has either.

Another +1 for SM solo 3 horse.

[gonehunting]

Dumb question. Did Clam buy Strikemaster? If so they made a huge mistake by not offering the 3hp motor. I see the clam auger uses a 2.5 hp for both the 8 and 10 inch augers.

[jjz]

One thing I don't like about eskimo and strikemaster is the 30 to 1 gear ratio and narrowish handles. Jiffy has a 15 to 1 and some models have wider handles. Basically if a eskimo or strikemaster stop cutting you start spinning if your slow letting off the gas, Jiffy's usually the clutch will slip so you get jarred a lot less. Usually this is a issue opening old holes or with dull blades. I don't drill tons of holes or use a wheelhouse so my 20+ year old 7 inch jiffy does the job and I see little need to upgrade.

Whatever you get will be better than a hand auger!!!

[JSK76]

Someone go ahead and correct me if I'm wrong but I think because SM is part of Ice Force and so is Otter it would look kinda funny for Clam guys to be using SM augers so I think they wanted there own and it just happens to be a blue SM. why they didn't go with Jiffy I don't know Eskimo has there own augers so you would think Clam would look into Jiffy but it may not have worked for one or both party's. Didn't Frabill come out with an auger last year too?

Just think, in every photo shoot of clams, if there using a SM auger they would have to hide the red SM because of Ice Force. in a round about way clam would be advertising for Otter. As long as there new auger is blue and has Clams name on it, sold by Clam it's no longer an issue even if its made by SM.

[Brad B]

Dumb question. Did Clam buy Strikemaster? If so they made a huge mistake by not offering the 3hp motor. I see the clam auger uses a 2.5 hp for both the 8 and 10 inch augers.

no Strike master was bought by Rapala and that is when clam switched to the Ions last season and Jiffy's since Rapala also partnered with Otter Outdoors which is Clam competition. this year it looks like Clam contracted with Solo Motors of Germany and Mora of Sweden to produce basically the same as a strikemaster lazer but with the blue color plastic trim. I would not have a problem buying a Clam auger even if it is the first year they offer them. I would have to believe the parts are interchangeable between Clam and Strike Master. it's no different then when strike Master and Jiffy both used the Tecumseh engines.

[Brad B]

Someone go ahead and correct me if I'm wrong but I think because SM is part of Ice Force and so is Otter it would look kinda funny for Clam guys to be using SM augers so I think they wanted there own and it just happens to be a blue SM. why they didn't go with Jiffy I don't know Eskimo has there own augers so you would think Clam would look into Jiffy but it may not have worked for one or both party's. Didn't Frabill come out with an auger last year too?

Frabill was going to put out a Auger but never carried through with it. they did have some years back that were sold in the Canadian market( atleast this is what I have heard but can't verify).

[JSK76]

Anyone else notice the Clam auger has a cast gear case? The SM is plastic.

[JeremyCampbell]

I noticed online there were ones that were battery operatedThey also sell the propane type for a little more cash.Are these about as good as the gas one's