Chipper Blades vs. Shaver Blades

[buzbunni]

I thought I'd make this a seperate post since we're discussing it on the New Ice Auger thread.

I am looking at getting my first power auger, and from what I have read it appears that the chipper style blade suits my purposes better. Rumor has it that they work better when re-drilling holes, or with "bad" or dirty ice? Is this the case? What is the difference in how these two blades work? How do I tell the difference when looking at the blade?

Does anyone have the breakdown on which products of which brands carry the chipper blades?

Thanks all.

[Northlander]

Chippers will stay sharper longer and are more durable. I shaver can get dull when it cuts threw some wood or sandy ice. Once a shaver gets a ding in it its hard to cut with. A chipper can go threw most anything and still cut. The chippers have spaces inbetween teeth and the shavers are one solid blade. Strikemaster runs shavers and Jiffy runs chippers. Im not sure what Eskimo is running now. I think they are shavers too though. I believe the Nilsmaster is a shaver as well.

I run a Jiffy Legend with the Ice Armor blades. I fish a lot and usually can go most of the season on 1 chipper blade do to the ice armor. They are pricey though. In real cold years when Im drilling threw a lot of thick ice I will go threw 2. I always carry extra blades and wrenches just in case. With any blade take a stone to them every so often and it will increase the blade life and keep ya cutting smooth and keep your auger from working harder than it has to.

[minneman]

In my experiences, resharpening a chipper on location is way easier to do. Ive had a hand auger that cut ok, not cut at all with very few stokes of a file.

[Dan Thiem]

Can I put chippers on my Strikemaster?

[IcePro]

Shaver blades use a razor edge on the cutting edge. A very sharp edge that is hard to maintain or sharpen yourself. Shaves the ice, which is why hand augers use shaver blades. Cutting the ice with less effort. That is why shaver augers can use a slower gear ratio 24:1. A shaver auger uses two blades.

A chipper blade is similar to using several chisels to cut the ice. Blades can still cut the ice if they become dull, easy to sharpen by hand. The high gear ratio 12:1 on Jiffy on a chipper auger allows the blade to cut the ice. A chipper auger only uses one blade.

If you are looking for a chipper auger, be sure to look at the gear ratio. 12:1 is a higher gear ratio.

This is a picture of a chipper blade.

This is a picture of a shaver blade.

[Uncle Bill]

My Strikemaster has a chipper blade.

[IcePro]

Uncle Bill....

Is your auger a Mag 2000? Strike Master does make a chipper auger. If I recall correctly, Strike master only had a chipper blade system before they came out with the Lazor augers.

If you have a shaver blade you can only replace it with the same blade.

[Uncle Bill]

Mine is older model, mabey 10 yrs. old.

50 cc 10" cut.

[Bob_D]

Mag 2000 are chippers

Laser Mag Ultra and Express use a modified shaving/chipper combo.

The 224 uses a large set of the modified blades and a small set of shaving blades.

Jiffy uses all chipper style (Ice rippers shown inthe post above)

Nils Master uses shaving blades (Actually a complete head unit)

Eskimo uses both the modified shaving/chipping baldes and a regular shaving blade.

[FreeFlySpy]

I have a chipper blade and end up scooping more ice out of the hole after drilling but it does cut faster.

[IcePro]

How do you sharpen or replace the blades on a Nils Master Auger. If I recall the blades are not replaceable.

[Bob_D]

The blades are built as a single unit. That way there is never a issue with blade angle and screws coming loose. I've drilled 1000 plus holes with mine so far and the blades are still razor sharp. They use a really high grade of steel in them, so unless you hit a rock, you should not have to replace it for years.

Here is a pic of the blade unit.

[gvg_uwec]

i have a ultra mag 3000 and it has chipper blades on it. ive had it about 5 years now i think, but i do know that the lazer augers were out before i bought mine.

[92python]

I have used Lazer Mags, Mag 2000s, an older Eskimo chipper and a few Jiffys and I think the 2 horse 8" Lazer Mag is the best total package from a weight / speed / reliability standpoint. I have had mine for quite a few years and it works as well as when I purchased it.

[Timber33]

I fish Lake of the Woods, Devils Lake, Winnie, Leech and other big lakes. So what, right! But remember that big lakes are more wind sweaped. This creates dirty ice. Dirty ice destroys razor style blades. Two, if I am in the middle of no where...I want to be able to sharpen my blade. Okay, you can replace, but how many back up sets do you want to buy? Chipper Blades rule!

[jltimm]

How much does this (single unit) blades cost to replace for the Nils?

[Captain B.R.K]

I bought a LazerMag, I think 3 or 4 years ago. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I find it dif. to keep the blades from icing up in real cold weather.

I typically change the blades once a year and never have a problem with them! I don't drill in 2 ft of water and hit rocks,etc. I've never hit a rock, knock on wood, or gotten a chip in my blade.

Years later they made the UltraMag (3 blade) and now have a 4 blade auger made by Strikemaster!

Shaver blades must be doing something right because they are selling!

Now if I could just keep my blades from icin' up, I'd be a happier fisherman!

[Captain B.R.K]

Key word in my last post was "thought it was the best thing since sliced bread".

Chipper style augers have come a long ways. Especially the Jiffy brand. They tout a teflon coated bottom and some other options that look pretty darn good.

My buddy has a 2-3 year old Jiffy and it's a good runner and never ices' up.

I still like my LazerMag because it does cut fast and has yet to fail to run on a pull!

[Bob_D]

I think the reason people are moving towards the shaving style blades is weight and speed. Shaving blades require a lot less force, so you can use a smaller engine. If you use a smaller engine it means a lighter auger. I carried a 43# 3hp chipper auger for years. I made the switch because I got sick of hauling that thing around. I'm glad I made the change. I find that I'm willing to drill more holes and I am able to find fish more often.

As long as you are not drilling ON ice roads or under bridges, the "dirty ice" is really not an issue.

[Timber33]

Razor blades make for a lighter auger? Okay! No, razor blades only require lesser RPM's to cut, not make a unit lighter. Plus EVERYONE uses the same 2hp engine.. What makes a Strikemaster lighter is simple. Plastic handles, shorter auger flites, lighter drill assembly shaft, lighter gear case cover. This is not a knock, but a structural difference from other augers. Jiffy uses all metal handles, a heavier gear case, a heavier diameter drill assemble shaft, and flites that go all the way up the shaft. It is their structual choice. I all know is this, on Lake of the Wood, we run our units hard. With Jiffy, I do not have to replace blades or a unit with any frequency.

[icedog]

jltimm, great question about the cost to sharpen and/or replace the Nils drill head. Here is what I found on the web: (I have a StrikeMaster Mag 2000 chipper and agree that for me the chipper makes a lot of sense!)

Nils Master/Tanaka Hand & Power, Sharpen service

Older Normark w/removeable head Augers $30.00 each S&H $4.95 Total $34.95

NEW Nils/Tanaka Replacement Heads 4" 6"

(NEW ONLY)-No Exchange $40.00 each

S&H

$6.95

Total

$46.95

NEW Nils/Tanaka Replacement Head 8"

(NEW ONLY)-No Exchange $50.00 each

S&H

$6.95

Total

$56.90

Your blades must be re-sharpenable!

The CORE must be GOOD

[Bob_D]

I just talked to JP at Nils Master. He is offering an exchange on the new style cutting heads.

Exchange is $39.95 +shipping.

New w/no exchange is $49.95 plus shipping.

This is for the 8" heads, I'm not sure about the smaller ones, but I'll check.

[frabillfisher]

Wondering what a chipper blade for a jiffy would cost?

[Bob_D]

8" Jiffy ripper is $39.99 plus shipping through Thorne Brothers.

[icedog]

Strike Master blades are a lot less money. 7.25", 8.25" or 10" from Strike Master are $12.95 plus freight. http://www.strikemaster.com/store/bladeexchange.html