What's the best hand auger?

[Beezer]

Hi All,

I'm an open water guy giving the hard-water thing a go. Given my budget I have decided that I will be living with a hand auger for a while (at least when I can't mooch a power auger off of a fishing partner). Which hand auger would you guys and gals suggest and why?

Thanks everyone!

[Eric Wettschreck]

I bought a Mora about 10 years ago because it was the cheapest one on the rack. It's still drilling holes.

[Willy]

Get a lazer. They are the best hands down. I have a 6 inch lazer hand auger for early ice. It cuts throught the ice like a hot knife through butter.

[slick814]

I like my Mora. Blades stay pretty sharp, and it's not so bad cutting thicker ice once you get a rhythm going.

[Lights]

I like my Mora for first ice. My only complaint is I wish I would have got the six incher. I bought the eight and it will make your arms turn to jello in a hurry if there is more than six inches of ice. If I was to get a new one it would be a six inch lazer. But then they cost a little more to.

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

If you're planning on using it for the entire season then definitely go with the six incher, lazer is a good brand. I've drilled through some pretty thick ice with one of them with no problems (as long as the blades are sharp ) The six inch hole is a little small with a vex hanging, but if need be you can drill a hole right next to it so your not fighting the ducer with every fish.

[Duffman]

Mora-Cheapest, but will do the job fine.

Lazer-A little more money, does the job a little faster.

Nils Master- Spendy and the cream of the crop, a tad faster than the Lazer.

It's a good time of year to check out the stores for end of season sales.

[smallieobsession]

Hands down...Nils Master...not even close...more on topic.

Hand Augers

[icecold]

I have a mora 6 inch and also a lazer 6 inch , there is no comparison the lazer zips right through the ice, I only fish river and know were I need to go ,so I dont need to drill many holes, this year I have drilled through 12-18 inches of ice ., The lazer is the hands down winner, Who needs a gas auger!!

[bigminnow]

I had two mora's and finally picked up a Lazer, let me tell you if you are on a budget, I would get the 7" lazer that thing rips through the ice. Plus it breaks down more easily than the Mora, it has a nice big wingnut, Once the mora is screwed together it's hard to break apart. Plus if you look at the blade curvature it he Lazer is more aggressive, than the flat blades of the Mora... I haven't tried the Nils but I think it costs more and I am not familar with the blade angle. Good luck

[Northlander]

Smallieobsession is right! The Nilsmaster hand auger is incredible. If there is a faster easier hand auger out there I havent seen or heard of it.

[Redlantern]

I've owned A Mora, Lazer and Nils. Go with the Nils.

[McGurk]

Quote:

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Which hand auger would you guys and gals suggest and why?

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Your Brother-in-laws'!

[schweady]

had my 7" mora for 25+ years. on new ice, I'll race any gas auger for the first 2 holes after that, these old arms start to flag. the trick is new blades.

[TRITC]

schweady,

You, sir, are on drugs!

[Guest]

Used a Mora for years. It did the job and for the money, quite adequate.

8 years ago, bought a Lazer. Awesome drill is all I can say. More spendy than a Mora, but worth it.

If I had to buy a hand auger today, and if I knew I'd be using it exclusively for a few years, I'd ante up and buy a Nils Master. There is not a faster hand auger out there in my opinion. Only thing is, take good care of the blade....replacements are not cheap.

[schweady]

Drugs? No... but it is a bit intoxicating! I know that I should upgrade, but it's like an old friend. Kind like the old rubber waders for $24.95 from Holiday that lasted me 25 years. They finally gave out a few years back and I replaced them with my first set of neoprene. WHAT WAS I THINKING ALL THAT TIME?!?!!!

[Rick]

After using the Nils Master and using all the others I would pony up for the Nils.

[efgh]

I bought a Lazer when they first came out, been well satified with the hand auger, drills fast, can open old holes, bought new blades the 3rd year, found out I could sharpen them myself, even if you have to exchange blade, they do not cost much.

[fishtank]

I had a Moron (Mora) for about 1 week until I bent the thing and it became useless. Don't get me wrong it drilled thru the ice. The only problem was it took me 10 minutes with breaks inbetween. I finally ponied up for a 6" Lazer this year, and I'll tell you what. That thing is sweet. Havn't tried the Nills, but I wouldn't look at a Mora again.

[Northlander]

I have a mora, Lazer, some other type and the Nilsmaster and none of the others even come close to the Nils! Super fast and effortless. You dont have to lean on the thing at all.

[smallieobsession]

I've said it before and I'l say it again, there really in no debate. The Nils hand auger just can't be beat. I couldn't pop for a power auger this year and bought the 6" Nils Master. Best purchase I've made in a long time. I can have three holes drilled and scooped before the guy next to me has his power auger warmed up and done with one hole. And, I didn't even break a sweat doing it. We timed it, 16 in of ice, 14 seconds.

[wall eyell be]

The best hand auger is . . .

the one hangin' on the wall in your garage . . .

while . . . you're out drillin' holes with a power auger !!

[booshy]

Do ya know where I can finda Nilsmaster auger?

I've checked Gander,Dick's, walmart--no good--not sure about Fleet either

[Woody Erickson]

I have one. Wouldn't trade for any other. Have to baby the cutting head. And never lend it to anyone.

Here is a sponsor place online:

Tackle City