Help on buying first gas auger

[Shack]

Chip all the way! You can run those blades for ever and then some.

[Pary]

I was gonna go with a chipper for now and if i don't like maybe i can upgrade the blade later down the road. D-rock deals aren't to bad i might go check it out sometime this week. they sell used powerheads and blades separately if you on budget.

[Sutty]

Once you go lazer you never go back to a chipper

[Ferny]

Ferny Ratings in order!

8" Power augers:

1) Strikemaster Lazer

Good: Lightweight, Cuts like butter, runs great, re-cuts old holes great.

Bad: Auger is wimpy, Blades get nicked easy, older models don't balance on handle when you lay them down.

2) Jiffy

Good: Long lasting, Built real tough

Bad: Heavy, loud, Hard to keep running, bah..bah..bah..kill...repeat twice! you Jiffy guy's know what I'm talking about I had one too! Auger spins really fast and you drench your legs. I can pick them out by sound from across the lake We do it every year.

3) Eskimo

Good: cheap...I mean inexpensive

Bad: What's that noise coming from the gear box? Rice Crispies???

Chipper blades work great if you NEVER want to drill through and old hole. That leaves out permanent shack guy's.

Go with the new style smooth blades.

Hand Augers use 6" or less

Tie 1) Strikemaster Lazer: Cuts like butter

Tie 1) Nils Master: Haven't tried yet but looked at them at the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show. I like the offset collapsing handle. Everyone raves about them! Can't wait to try one.

3rd) Ice chisel: light, collapsible, can use to check early/late ice

4th) Mora: You get a workout and get to fish! They work OK, but keep real sharp.

5th) Swedish Spoon, These work great if you want to make a sno cone. Otherwise use something else what were they thinking?

Good Luck,

Ferny

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Nice Ferny. My goal this winter is to find you fishing then drill a hole 6 feet away with my Jiffy.