Strikemaster or Jiffy

[Nordern]

Ready to buy an auger. Is there really a big difference between the Strikemaster and Jiffy. I mean enough that you you definitely go one way or the other?

[gvg_uwec]

I have a 3hp strikemaster 8" and have had NO problems with it at all since bought new in 1998. Only thing i would have done differently is went with a 2hp for less weight. In my opinion a 3hp is only needed when used witha 10" with deep ice. Great luck with strikemaster so far and I would not hesitate one bit to buy another one.

[goodyy7]

I totally agree with the 2hp over 3hp input you just got. When I bought mine several years ago I had the same dilema....strikemaster or jiffy. At the time, for me, it came down to price. THe strikemasters had a better blade style than the jiffy chipper blade and maybe cut a tid bit faster, but I went with the jiffy (8" white lightning) and have not regretted it. Now, with the introduction of the 4stroke from SM, there is a big difference to look at.....I still love my jiffy though and the price, at the time, was MUCH better than the SM's.

goody

[augernaut]

all companies make a good auger - Jiffy, SM, Eskimo, Nils, etc. Bottom line - buy a 2hp auger, they cut as fast as a 3hp, and are MUCH lighter. If light is your goal, check out the Strikelite from SM - it's 4stroke, weighs 20lbs - also check out the Nils, I believe it weighs a bit under 20lbs with an 8" auger blade. It's a Ford/Chevy debate at this point :-)

[tashit]

I had the same debate last year although Eskimo was in the mix. I ended up going with a 9" Shark Z51 and I love it. I did get a faulty gas line that Eskimo replaced for free very quickly. Their customer service was great. I also love the chainsaw engine as opposed to the Tecumseh. A lot of friends have Jiffys and SMs with the Tecumseh and it seems like everyone has some problems starting and keeping it running. My Eskimo starts up on the first few pulls everytime. I'm really excited to give it a try here soon since it hasn't been started since March. The Eskimo was also a little cheaper at the time so that played a role. I had read great things about Eskimos and thought it would be fun to try something new since all of my friends have Jiffys of SMs. Really I think you will be happy with any of the above mentioned. They are all quality augers and it comes down to personal preference. Do a search and you'll find more information than you can handle.

[Deitz Dittrich]

to me its really a decision of what style blad you want.. For many years for me I chose the chipper blade. I had the same blades for 4 years and never had them sharpened.. I am thinking of making the switch this year to a shaver style blade, however I will be to a nils master, not the strikemaster. Its all on personal opinion, mine is that the nils may be the best on the market now.

[jimBo]

I bought my frist auger when I was 16 it was a jiffy 3hp 8"

and have cut manny holes.I am 44 now you do the math.And tell me witch one to buy.I did break down and buy a new 10"

auger for it seeing how the old one was showing it age.

I know witch one I would buy again.and I am not intrested in speed cutting.as long as it goes through the ice.(in a house or not.enought said.

[Big Dave2]

It seems to me that when it comes to 3hp vs. 2hp it all depends on the individual motor. Guys who have the 3hp of either brand (which have the same motor)either love them or hate them. I had a 3hp Jiffy 10" and I HATED it. I never got it to run the way it was supposed to even though I had it in the shop several times. I ended up selling it and buying a 8" 2hp strikemaster lazer and have loved it! In my opinion the 3hp motor and 10" blade were way overkill. I also love the lazer blade for reopening old holes in a perm. fish house. It can be done with a chipper blade but it is a lot easier with the lazer blade.

My vote is for a strikemaster lazer 2hp, HANDS DOWN!!!

[tashit]

I remember when I was researching for my auger it sounded like the problems were with the 3 hp but not the 2 hp (both Jiffy and SM). Unless you're getting a 10", I see no reason to need anything more than a 2 hp.

[Jim Hudson]

Nordern

Yup, a definite difference between StrikeMaster and Jiffy augers. And that is weight!! Which is crucial when you want to pop a lot of holes during a day of ice fishing.

If my memory serves me correctly, I think Jiffy's lightest 2HP assembly is 28lbs and that is with a 6" bit compared to a StrikeMaster 2HP Lazer 6" bit that weighs 22LBs, where even a 10" bit on a Lazer weighs 27LBs.

Both make good augers, but for my style of fishing, I opt for the StrikeMaster Lazer line of augers. Somedays I am out cutting a lot of holes, and the less weight I carry from hole to hole is extremely beneficial!!

And now with the new StikeMaster StrikeLite 4-Stroke auger, with it's 8" Composite bit, you have the opportunity to be 4lbs lighter then a Lazer 8" auger while drilling your holes!!

[Nordern]

Thanks for all the input guys,

It looks like I will go with the Strikemaster. Anyone know where the best deals in town are?

Thanks again.

[iffwalleyes]

I saw one of the new strikemaster 4 stroke augers yesterday and it looks decent. But it has to much composite material for my liking. In order to go light due the a heavier powerhead of a 4 stroke they now have a composite auger. The handles are still composite like alway. Just to much plastic for me. I personally have a 10" Jiffy Stealth and love it. It is a heavy hog but it drill fast and has lots of power. But I am a big guy so the weight doesn't bother me. I have had it going on 3 years and it has been great.

[augernaut]

iffwalleyes - those composite handles on the SM are TOUGH. They will bounce back from an impact that would render a steel handle useless!

[prophet]

i switched from 3hp jiffy to 2 hp strikemaster and couldnt

be happier,lighter,easier to start,run,and transport

i'm moving and drilling 3x more holes with less effort

made me much more of a mobile fisherman

[WallyGator12000]

Norden,

I got my strikemaster lazer mag xpress last year at D-Rock in New Brighton and couldn't be happier with the auger or the service. I got it for $100 off too because it was used to open a few holes in the forest lake ice tourney and then was sold, they do this with a ton of augers (I think like 50 or so) and then sell them with the warranty! It's a steal though you would have to wait a little while to get the deal, it happens later in the winter. I would still look them up though, they sure do know augers.

[iffwalleyes]

Well every one has there opinon on is steel is stronger than compsite. That is fine. I guess I figure that steel will bend where as composite will crack or break. I know more than one way to straighten steel but no ways to fix composite. But, I am a die hard Jiffy man and have never claimed to be any thing else. I have a model 30 that is older than me and that doesn't have anything wrong with it and now I have my stealth that is un damaged after 2 full seasons of hard use. But I have seen broken handles on strikemasters in the store. But I have never used a strikemaster. So I am not the best judge I just know that I like my jiffys. I am really interested in hearing how the four strokes composite auger holds up.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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I have a model 30 that is older than me and that doesn't have anything wrong with it

---

My Jiffy Model 30 is 22 years old, 2 diaphram's and 3 gas caps later she still runs like a top.

I highly recomend D-Rock in Roseville for any StikeMaster needs great people very helpful, everytime I go in there with StrikeMaster problems for friends I tell them I'll buy a StrikeMaster when my older Jiffy model 30 dies and their reply everytime is "The older model 30's don't die" ...

As far as Strikemaster handles go they don't make the RED one's any more "thank the lord" they could not cure the Red handles properaly without turning them Black so they were a little weak and broke easier then the Black ones, of course Strikemaster being the Kings of customer Service fix's these free of charge.

[jig n' jerk]

I gotta say the strike master is the way to go. For one the customer service is great!! Secondly they are out of Big Lake and I love to keep my money in the Minnesota economy! Plus three hard years of service and it starts on the first pull wether it is -40 or 60 degrees outside. As far as weight I can't comment I opted for the Lazer mag 2000 in a 10" Blade with the 3 hp. motor. I want a big hole and power so I'll take a few extra pounds( less stubborn fish get away when trying to pull them through the 10" hole).

[PERCHJR]

Jiffy 8" stealth, a very good all around auger!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[76k20]

I have a strikemaster magnum, I picked it up used from my uncle, i have only had the carb ice up on me once mut other than that it has been great.

I am thinking of grabbing one of the 4 stroke's this year but hearing the auger bit is composit makes me a bit leary.

I hope to heck they stand behind them if they turn out to be cold fragile .

if they hold up well I imagine the composite material will be less prone to icing up though.

[wolfwood]

the composit augers most likely have a steel shaft going down the midle and steel blades atached to the shaft. proably the only composite part is the flighting and that shouldn't be getting to mutch abuse it only real purpose is to pull the ice chips away from the blade

[walldoggie]

I think i had this same thread posted last year and got a lot of info. i was like you Strikemaster, jiffy, eskimo. 8" vs 10" and price. I did some research on my own also i finnaly came up wit the 8' strikemaster Lazer mag express. and its been awesome, strikemaster is also located in big lake if you ever have any problems. They fixed my cousins auger that was a couple years old for free. These are just my experiences though Hope i helped

[Redwalleye]

My jiffy is smelly loud and it throws stuff everywhere, but I love it always runs and cuts a whole dull or sharp. My buddys got one of the three blade strikemasters, thorotle problems and the tip freezes up. When it cuts its awesome, but i dont want to be on LOW and hopin and prayin my auger cuts when I want it to. Has any one else had problems with the three blade. If so any quick fixes?

thanks

REd

[augernaut]

the three bladed Strikemaster (Lazermag Ultra) is their lemon auger. The first ones that came out had design flaws on the auger bracing near the blades. Subsequent models are better, but my Trap Attack partner has one, and my 8" Lazermag cuts a hole just as quickly. Have not heard of any fixes for it....

[Rick]

Here is my general rule of thumb -

Jiffy is run by engineers.

Strikemaster is run by those who know how to market.

Jiffy is known to take a licking and keep on ticking then good customer service.

Strikemaster is known for good customer service.