Manual Ice Auger, Which perform the best?

Hello Fellas,

I have recently lost my manual ice auger and am about to go out and buy a new one, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or warnings. I had a bass pro 8", it was decent but the blades became dull fairly quickly (15-20 holes) and one of the blades had to be tightened after every other hole. I am thinking of Strike Master Mora, Strike Master Lazer, Bass Pro Shop or anything that you guys recommend.

Thanks

fin bore iii all the way, cuts great 6 inch is all i use

Do alot of people use manual augers on nip? It seems like it would be a chore in the thick ice lol

Game an injury and get your buddies to do it is the best one available. Lol . I don't really know to tell you 5 he truth. I would never cut holes on the nip with a manual auger. Definitely invest in a gas auger. Spend the little extra. You can find good deals on them if you do your homework. Check canadain tire offen.

X2 my Finebore cuts like butter. For 3 yrs now with no blade changes or sharpenings.
Maybe that's a sign I don't get on the ice enough

A manual auger on Nipissing can definitely be a challenge with the thickness that the ice gets! I currently use the Canadian tire special in an 8" but if I were to get a new one would definitely go with the 6", it cuts holes considerably faster and can probably pick one up for around $60. That said if Nipissing is the main attraction and you have a way of getting on the ice other than walking, a gas powered would be an ideal investment.

Cheers

Thanks guys,

I am a student down in Hamilton and only get up to Nipissing once a year for an annual ice fishing trip. Most of the ice I cut through is around 8-10", I will definitely check out the Finebore and consider a 6" instead of an 8".

Thanks for the help.

6 inch is probably the one for you, you would not believe the difference between 6 and 8. It does not sound like much but trust me it is. I found and old 6 inch swede-bore with straight blades in the dump, cleaned it up a bit and has been great. I bought an 8 inch fin-bore curved blade on sale and don't use it unless the bigger hole is absolutely necessary, it can be quite the workout if the ice is more than 10 inches.

Reminder on the math - posted last year:

With pi being a constant - the difference between 6" and 8" auger is not extra 2" rather almost double the ice removed.

6x6= 36" inches
8x8= 64"

Cutting 8" hole requires nearly double the effort as a 6" hole assuming everything else is same such as blade sharpness.

If I needed large hole through thick ice - would use the smallest auger available and drill three of four holes. Then join the holes with good ice saw. Cutting through ice is like cutting through butter . . .

Nils is the best, but costly. I have used it to go through 36 inches of ice and had no problem. In 6 inches, I cut through faster than my buddies can start up there Jiffy's.