Hand auger question

[cold one sd]

This subject has probably been beat to death before, but I am looking at hand augers and would like to know what would be a good brand and model without breaking the bank. The selection around here is probaboy limited to Strikemaster and Jiffy from what I have seen in the stores.

[Flaco651]

The Strikemaster Lazer hand augers are really nice and cut really fast. They come in sizes of 5" thru 8" and cost about $75 to $85 depending on size. You could get the Strikemaster Mora hand augers for a lot cheaper and will get the job done, but I prefer the Lazer.

[snoozebutton]

Use that $75 or $85 and put it towards a power auger, you won't be sorry. I had a Mora years ago and when the blades got a little dull, it was a beast to cut with and replacement blades are expensive. I sent them in for resharpening but they were never as good as new ones.

[Jordyn Kaufer]

i think he has a gas one. And is looking at a hand auger for early ice. i just went out on to my pond with my SM hand auger and it was awsome!! There is about 5inches of solid clear ice and it cut through it in less than 30seconds..

[deadeye]

I have a lazer 6 inch and had a lazer 7 inch (until it was stolen). I liked the 7 inch but it was hard to find blades for. I have the 6 inch now and it cuts quick and easy. I have a old 8" mora that is pretty much just hanging on the wall in the garage collecting dust. It did ok for thin ice but it doesn't even compare to the lazer. The Lazer cuts easy enough and fast enough that I don't even break out the power auger until I can drive out (14"). It has also made several BWCAW trips when the ice was over 3 feet and it did just fine.

The hole seems small for having the vexilar down while fishing so I just cut a second hole close to the one Im fishing in and its all good.

I would say stay away from the 8 inch as the bigger hole does make more work and I have yet to have a fish that won't go through the 6.

[cold one sd]

I have a power auger and I'm thinking about getting a hand auger for the early season. I also have a bad shoulder and I'm looking for something that isn't very difficult to use. I think it might be nice to walk out on the ice with a hand auger and a couple of buckets and enjoy the day sitting on a bucket. When the ice gets thicker it's time for the portable, atv and power auger. I'm kinda old, but a heck of a lot more able bodied than some of my friends that I end up drilling for.

[cold one sd]

A six inch is what I have in mind.

[Gordie]

cold one take a really good look at the Nils hand auger and they are a FM sponser

A buddy has one and he loves it!

[muskyhunter57]

Speaking of blades...I have not winter fished in years due to hockey constraints with the kids. I am now getting back into it. It used to be you went to the baitshop and exchanged your blades be it hand or gas auger. Is that not possible anymore?

[PerchPounder]

I have a 6" Strikemaster Lazer that works well and takes minimal effort as long as the blades are sharp. SM also sells a hand sharpener for them that is preset for the correct pitch on the blades.

[PerchJerker]

I also have a 6" Lazer that I use until there's about a foot of ice, then I switch to my power auger.

[bgreen82]

deadeye is a stronger man than me, drilling holes by hand in 3 feet of ice. i drilled 2 of those last year and was spent. i dont care what kind of hand auger you have, i will not drill with one after january.

[deadeye]

Its amazing what you will do when you are in college, broke, hungry, bored (Ely can be a little dull during the middle of winter and not of legal drinking age yet) and in good shape. I think back and wonder what I was thinking sometimes. I guess a little huffin and puffin was worth a good lake trout or walleye dinner though.

[Caleb S]

If you are going to auger by hand through 3' of ice (by choice) you might as well walk to the lake as well, up hill both ways like in the old days I did the hand auger for many years but won't go back.

[icecold]

I have been out of school for 25 years and Im still broke and hungery, I have a 6 inch lazer and thats all i ever use, works real good for me.

[blackdog1101]

One more vote for the Lazer 6". Excellent for early ice.

[Dave S]

I had an 8" Lazer and loved it.

I drilled 5 holes in 12" of ice before another group of guys had one hole cut with their Jiffy. I noticed a couple of the guys were watching so I drilled a few more just for kicks.

After they went around the loop hitting each other trying to get enough nerve to come over and ask to use my auger, one of them finally came over and asked what kind of auger I had and if they could borrow it.

The Lazers are nice, but I think the Nils is better.

[upnorth]

I have been out of school for 25 years and Im still broke and hungery, I have a 6 inch lazer and thats all i ever use, works real good for me.

I remember about 6 years ago out on Upper Red Lake having to get down on my knees to get through the last few inches of ice in Feb. Let's just say "Run and Gun" was not high up there on our list of tactics More like drill a hole, get things setup and fish in that hole for a while then drill another.

[Neighbor_guy]

I have a 6" mora, and love it. Replacement blades are $13 at fleet farm. Keep em sharp and dont drill rocks and the thing is fast and quiet.

I got mine as a gift, but if I had to buy one it would be a Laser.

Everyone here is all wound up about "I would never use a hand auger" they all have thier place. I use my hand auger as much or more than my gas auger. I will run the hand auger almost exclusively untill there is a foot of ice. Even after that I will use it when stealth is a factor.

Right now, early ice, clear ice, shallow water, no snow, spooky fish, the hand auger is the only way to go.

[redbandit]

6" lazer for the last 8 yrs of early ice up to 8". Haven't had to change the blades yet and still cuts great. I hear Nils is still the best.

[cold one sd]

Thanks for all the information guys.

[niterydr]

I went and cut 4 holes with my 8" mora in under two minutes in 5" of ice. I plan on buying a gas auger maybe mid Jan when there is over 1' of ice, but until then I will sweat a little.

[theiceman]

8" lazer is the only way to go, and they reopen holes so easy.

[FishinChad]

Its amazing what you will do when you are in college, broke, hungry, bored (Ely can be a little dull during the middle of winter and not of legal drinking age yet) and in good shape. I think back and wonder what I was thinking sometimes. I guess a little huffin and puffin was worth a good lake trout or walleye dinner though.

I couldnt believe it when my cousin "chopped" through a foot and a half of ice with a chissle so that he could put a tip-up out, he had no auger, had holes drilled in his house but not outside. It is amazing what some people will endure to fish. Was a big hole that tapered down to pretty small at the bottom of the ice.

[jbird68]

Last year I bought the 7" Arctic Express hand auger from HT. It is similar to the Lazer but less expensive. It cuts very nice. I also have a 5" Mora still hanging in my garage that was replaced by the HT.