Equipment for sharpening auger blades

[dickie]

Several posts have had questions about sharpening ice auger blades.
Today while poking around a northern Pa. sporting goods store I saw 2 that you might be interested in.
Both had a jig to hold the blade so that you get the right angle and both were priced around twenty dollars.
The one was made by Ready-Bow Enterprise
Box 5053
N.Muskegon,Mi.
The other was a Lansky system that can be purchased from most sporting cataloges.
I have used the Lansky and find it does a fine job.
Hope that I have helped..Good fishin

[Gonzo]

Dickie
Thanks for the info. I have a Lansky kit. What kind of auger blade are you sharpening, and what degree angle do you use for an auger blade? I'd love to be able to touch up my lasermaster blade during the season.
Thanks! - Gonzo

[dickie]

GONZO,
I have 2 augers that I use the Lansky sharpener to sharpen. 1 Eskimo 8" and 1 of the blue hand operated units that are commonly in use these days.
Both of these units have bolt on blades and you enquired as to what angle setting to use on the Lansky do I use to sharpen these blades.
There are 4 angle settings on the sharpener and what I do is set the sharpener up and install one of the blades in the jig and then put the rod on the sharpener in either the 25 or 20 degree slot and let the stone rest on the blade that I am sharpening. I choose by my eye the closest angle that matches the angle already on the blade from the factory. It may be off a degree or two but it is close enough that I have never had a problem.
If you have burrs on the edge that you are sharpening, file off carefully with a fine flat file before you start so that you don't ruin your sharpening stone.
The rest of the procedure is pretty straight forward and you ought to be able to get a good edge with this tool.
Get any problems, post me again....good fishin.

[Gonzo]

Thanks! I'll let you know how it turned out after take the blade off this week. I use the sharpener all the time for hunting knives, and I get a good durable edge. It only makes sense to use it on the auger blade!

[Guest]

I have a 6" lazer....hand auger....and have been using the same blades without sharpening for 3 years. I have cut plenty of holes with it and it still cuts excellent.
Excellent auger.
PCG