Hand Augers (Note from admin-SALE on Nils Masters)

[Dan Brelje]

What are some nice hand augers on the market. I am looking for one that will cut more that 10 holes on a pair of blades. Willing to spend up to 100. Jiffy,strikemaster,mora,etc..

[Note from admin added 9/21/05

Nils Master Auger SALE until 10/15/05 - CLICK HERE.]

[Northlander]

I would recomend a Nilsmaster hand auger. Very fast and easy cutting. The best Hand Auger I have ever owned plus you can put the power head on it and use it as a power auger once ice is too thick to cut by hand.

The second best one I have used is the Strikemaster Lazer hand auger.

[CSP88]

I would recommend the Strikemaster Laser, you can't beat it for the price.

[Duffman]

If your willing to spend $100, I agree with Northlander, NilsMaster is the way to go.

[icecold]

I have been using a strikemaster lazer 6 inch auger the past 2 seasons on the river drilled a couple hundred holes by now ,drills through 1-1.5 feet of ice like nothing, River ice is always full of debris,dirt sand leaves,and my blades are just as sharp when it was new,great auger for the money.

[Jim Hudson]

During the early season ice, I am always toting around my StrikeMaster Lazer hand auger..... Super sharp blades that making cutting through that early ice easy as pie...

So another vote here for the the Lazer hand auger!!

[Bob_D]

I've used Nils Master, Strikemaster Laser, and Normark Fin-Bore augers. I'm intentionally leaving out the Mora and Swed-bore's since they are just about the same as using a butter knife. As far as speed and ease of cut the best is the Nils, second is the Normark (due to the offset handle), and then the Strikemaster Laser. As far as holding an edge it's the Nils Master first with the Laser and Normark tied for second since they use the same blades. The reason the Nils blades last longer is because the use tool steel for a cutting edge and the others use regular stainless steel.

[Dan Brelje]

Thanks for all the information guys. How can u get your hands on just the hand auger from Nils. I know a bunch of spots to get the full power unit, but not just the hand auger. I have found a couple of deals on the strikemaster and am very interested after reading these replies.

[Bob_D]

Cabelas usually has them when it gets closer to winter. I want to say Mills Fleet Farm??? but I'm not sure. I think they may be selling them through this site as well. If you call Nils Master, they can tell you who carries them in your area. 802-658-1070.

[Matt Johnson]

The Nils is simply awesome! I've always been a big Strikemaster fan, I've used them for years, but after trying the Nils out a few seasons ago I realized I was missing out. Not only is it very lightweight, but it literally flies through the ice! And it cuts with very, very little effort at all. You don't need to apply any preasure, just hold on and let it do all the work.

Take off the power-head and attach the handle and you have yourself the fastest hand auger as well. You really get the best of both worlds with the Nils Master in my opinion.

I was also impressed with the Strikemaster 224 last winter too...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Jim Hudson]

Bob or anyone with the nils line of auger.. how much does it cost to replace the blade assembly on these augers and how often would one have to replace them?

Just curious as I have never seen anyone talking about this issue before...

[Bob_D]

Jim,

I believe a complete cutting head is $40-$50 depending if you trade in your old one. I got over 1000 holes out of my first cutting head (I was using it as a power unit), and it still had more life in it so I saved it as a backup head. I'm still using my second cutting head, so I can't give you info on that one, but it has lasted all of last season and it will probably last all of this one.

As far as using it strickly as a hand unit, the blades should last for years. I can't imagine anyone drilling as much ice in a year with a hand unit as I do with a power unit.

A few hints for those who are buying a Nils.....

Keep the blades covered, they are like razors and will cut EVERYTHING they contact.

As with other shaving augers, don't "bounce" the blades off the ice to "de-ice" them. I've never had an iceing issue with the blades, so there is really no need to do that and all it does is damage the blades.

Put a light coat of oil on the blades before long term storage.

Do that and the blades will last a loooooong time.

[gvg_uwec]

anyone that upgraded to a nils looking to sell their lazer to a poor college boy?

[Rick]

OK everyone,

We are now making the Nils Master line-up of augers available at TackleCity.com Nils Master Augers - CLICK HERE to check them out or get yours.

We are running a sale on them until October 15th 2005.

[Dan Brelje]

Thanks Rick, i might just have to purchase one. I can't afford to buy a nice gas auger now so this looks like the best choice, thanks for everyone else for their replies.

[Northlander]

Jim I ran my Nils all last year and drilled more holes than the average guy will in 5 years. The blades are still cutting as fast as day 1. Maybe even faster now that I have the motor broken in.

If used as a hand auger I think the average guy could go at least 5 years on a set of blades with good care. No bull!

As said earlier make sure you cover the blades after every use. My bibs found out the hard way. Good thing my leg didnt. Thanks to Carharts.