Hand Augers

[tramiot]

I am just getting established in the sport of ice fishing. To help keep my initial investment costs down, I am just looking to purchase a hand auger to get through my first few seasons. I was wondering what experience everyone had with the different brands on the market? Mora, StrikeMaster, Eskimo, Nils, etc.? Are certain sizes more desirable? Are replacement blades easier to come by for certain brands and sizes? How long have blades lasted?

Basically, any information and experience you have and are willing to share regarding hand augers would be appreciated.

[dan z]

Strike master makes very good hand augersy LD-7 worked very well with sharp blades. You could get 2 years of hard use out ta blades but why when new ones will save your back.

[solbes]

I have an old blue 8" Mora that I added new blades 2 years ago (freebie from friend). I only get out 3-4 times per season and the blades have held up okay. Probably drilled 50-60 holes so far. I will replace the blades sometime this season or at season end if I still have it.

Drilled a little better with new blades, but it works good when the ice is 10" or less. Once you get to 20-24" of ice you start to wonder why you don't have something powered.

I am looking to get the 6" Nils auger with the cordless drill attachment. It also comes with a handle to use it as a manual auger as well. Santa, I've been good!

[Getanet]

I mentioned this in another forum, but if you look online you can find adapters for about $20 that connect a hand auger to a cordless drill. I've never used one myself, but you can find youtube videos and it looks pretty slick.

I'm assuming they work for a lazer/chipper style blade. Not sure if they would work on a spoon type of auger.

[leech~~]

If you were not in ND I have a hardly used Mora hand auger that has been sitting in my garage as a backup unused for years you could have. Not worth driving all the way to the cities in MN for it, but if you get over this way PM me. Good Luck Ice fishing.

[cps420us]

Nils 6".

[MN BassFisher]

Tramiot, I just published an article last night on Hand Augers I sent it to you as a PM. I was in the same boat about 5 years ago when I started so I bought a Strikemaster Mora (been around since 1946). It's a great entry level auger for early and late ice, but I have the 8" model and it can be a workout to drill through more than a foot of ice but it does get you out fishing! If you have a little extra money laying around, the Strikemaster Lazer cuts quicker than the Mora but you have to be mindful of the bladed! If they are bent, chipped, or dull it'll be much harder to drill. I've heard great things about the Nils but I can't justify that price since I only use mine late and early ice.

Depending on what you target, you can get a smaller than 8-inch hand auger and that'll make it easier when cutting through more than a foot of ice, and it'll weigh less!

[Rick G]

I have the a 8 in Strikmaster and a 6in Mora, both work well for thin ice. If you can find a Nils, this is what I would go with, they are the fastest hand auger out there

The smaller the blade size on your hand auger the faster it will cut, not to mention it will be less wear and tear on you . If your focus is northerns and walleyes, I would go with a 8in blade. If your fishing pannies you can get by with a 6in blade.

[Valleye]

I have to say getting a hand auger that cuts efficiently while not tiring you out is the best investment. I just like many have started out with a Strikemaster Mora, but after awhile it became an arudous task to drill through 6-7 inches of ice, after two years I decided to go to the Strikemaster Lazer 6 in. I still use it and it works well as a hand auger and also attached to my Gator electric powerhead. I finally tried a NILs and wanted to see what was the big deal. And yes it is a big deal! The NILS cuts through ice like butter and is a less strenuous task. Yes the cost is more than the Lazer's but definitely worth the extra cost.

[Savage Brewer]

I would recommend a 6" lazer hand auger (strikemaster)

Or I would reccomend the Clam Ice Auger Conversion Kit Combo:

Clam Ice Auger Conversion Kit

The combo includes a 6" auger (looks like a lazer) the aluminum powerhead adapter for a 18v or larger drill and a standard hand crank so you can use it as a standalone hand auger, all for $150.

Hand cranking a 8" auger gets old real fast.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Problem with Nils is at $145 brand new plus shipping you are in used gas auger neighborhood.

[dfeste]

I'll almost guarantee I can drill through 18" of ice faster with my $145 dollar Nils than you can with a same price gas auger. And I won't be praying that she'll start. If you're going to drill any quantity of holes with a hand auger do yourself a favor, spend the extra money and get a 6" Nils. The last hander auger you'll ever need or want.

[Fred_Bear]

I'll almost guarantee I can drill through 18" of ice faster with my $145 dollar Nils than you can with a same price gas auger. And I won't be praying that she'll start. If you're going to drill any quantity of holes with a hand auger do yourself a favor, spend the extra money and get a 6" Nils. The last hander auger you'll ever need or want.

I'll take that bet... what kind of money are we talking here?

[dfeste]

From a cold start let's do it. I'm pretty sure it would be tough for me to get my Nils started and to the bottom of the ice quicker than I could do it with the hand auger. I'm sure you'd catch me after the first or second hole if you did get that thing started though.

[hamms-scooter]

6" Nils hands down spend the money...

[Esox_Magnum]

Get the Nils. last auger you will need to buy.... When the time comes you want a power auger just buy the Tanaka motor and you have both hand and power auger in 1.....My 8" Nils by hand will outdrill a 6" Lazer....

[92GSteve]

The 6" Lazer seems pretty darn fast but maybe I should try that Nils.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I'll almost guarantee I can drill through 18" of ice faster with my $145 dollar Nils than you can with a same price gas auger. And I won't be praying that she'll start. If you're going to drill any quantity of holes with a hand auger do yourself a favor, spend the extra money and get a 6" Nils. The last hander auger you'll ever need or want.

Do your self a favor and sell your Nils then get a Fin-Bore!

[efishsport]

Where do they carry the Fin bore augers at?

[tramiot]

Has anyone used the Eskimo Silvertip? With the "curved blade" I am wondering if it performs like the Nils.

[Lawrence Luoma]

Where do they carry the Fin bore augers at?

You'll have to google them and try to have someone from Canada ship one. Otherwise pick one up when you cross the boarder, lol.

[20lbSloughShark]

A hand auger would obviously win against a gas in one hole. Even just 10 holes, and the gas would have a huge lead, however. I loved my mora 6", ice didn't get that thick in Annandale-maybe 2 1/2' at the most. I had an electric for a while, and every cent was wasted. It worked, but it was so slooooow. It was easier, but it took 30 sec to a minute per hole. It was just geared way too much for power. The new ones like the ion look a lot better, but don't ever buy an old one. I recommend a mora. You can find loads of gas augers for the $145 it costs for a nils.

[hamms-scooter]

Fin bore is a lazer with offset handles... I had a 6" lazer that I cut a lot of holes with on my Tecumseh powerhead. It was great for hand use though I would go nils. The 8" I had cut easy and I know the 6 will fly. I believe the eskimo silvertip is new. HT makes a high velocity hand auger also in 6".

[Northlander]

Fastest hand auger made is the Nils. The new Strikemaster lazer hand auger is a close second.

[Chad Peterson]

I would recommend a 6" lazer hand auger (strikemaster)

Or I would reccomend the Clam Ice Auger Conversion Kit Combo:

Clam Ice Auger Conversion Kit

The combo includes a 6" auger (looks like a lazer) the aluminum powerhead adapter for a 18v or larger drill and a standard hand crank so you can use it as a standalone hand auger, all for $150.

Hand cranking a 8" auger gets old real fast.

For thin ice, the Clam Ice Auger Conversation Kit would be a good option. Light weight and you can travel around with it in your shelter. This is a tool to have in your ice fishing Arsenal.