Power auger question?

I’m in the market to buy a new power auger but have a few questions…

Name brands- I know most people have Sm or jiffy but im considering saving money and buying an Eskimo shark so I can get more power and 2 blade system. Does this sound like a good idea or will I be wanting a new1 next year??

How much better does 2 blades cut than 1?? With strike master or any brand??

Will more cc’s in the motor help much in cutting ease??

Thanks for any advice before my purchase. Debating if I’ll kick myself later for trying to save money…

2 blade is a must in my opinion.

I got a Jiffy pro 4 (propane) for Christmas from my FW. Huge power, ran well in the cold today. It has a single chipper style blade and two small pilot blades that pull it into the ice. Granted this is the only “nice” auger that I have ever ran, but it is really cool. I like the propane idea due to the fact that propane does not varnish or go bad. I have only drilled about 20 holes so far but I am impressed.

With an auger purchase, just get the one you want. Properly maintained, it will last for 20 years so a hundred bucks on the front end is pretty minor. Good luck!

You know your budget better than us. Sure there is good, better and best but if you have none anything is better than a hand auger.

I got a smaller Jiffy for x-mas in 2000 and it has been great to me. Sure its not the best out there but it has NEVER let me down. I will be upgrading this year but am keeping old reliable.

I collected by fishing gear over time mainly by buying “working” items. They are not the best but work fine. Now that I have more money I am upgrading to better gear. Dont feel like you need the best right out of the hole, get yourself started with decent gear that works and upgrade as needed or finances allow it.

This is the way I look at it…
Is it more important to have the best of the best but no $$$ to pay for trips and repairs or to have gear and $$$ to go use the gear?

Good luck with the gear acquisitions.

In your boat a used SM may be what your looking for

I like Strikemaster and use a lazer mag. On the ice I swear you can hear them and tell the difference between other augers ripping holes. Sounds like a man on a mission.

IMO you can not hardly go wrong with those 3 types of augers. I curretnly have a eskimo (older barracuda) and it cuts like a beast and always starts. the bigggest disadvantage that jiffy and Eskimo have against the Sm is how much they weigh.

Don’t be afraid of the Eskimo. If budget had no limits years ago I would have gone SM but now what use I have gotten out of my eskimo I don’t regret it at all. Granted today when I do upgrade I will get the SM Lazr Pro but only because my budget is different and they are so much lighter.

that said the Shark Z51 would be a good bang for your buck. and only 5 pounds (i beleiev is rated at 30 pounds) lighter than the 2 stroke SM’s.

excuse my poor typeing but the Z51 is 5 pounds heavier than the SM’s NOT lighter.

I pulled the trigger today on a strikemaster auger with the help from my buddy Richie! We scored a $50 deal better than I could find anywhere else so i’m one happy camper! Thanks for the advice and i’ll be on the ice this weekenD.

good choice

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…the Shark Z51 would be a good bang for your buck.

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So how would you compare the Shark to the SM Magnum, besides the shark being 5#s heavier, since they are about the same price point?

I have used Jiffy augers for years and have just recently switched to Strike master Augers and I must say they are a very easy starting engine along with very smooth cutting but most importantly much smaller and lighter. When drilling lots of holes every day this is going to be a lot more comfortable carrying a much smaller and lighter auger.

Paul Delaney
http://www.lateeyessportfishing.com

Looks like I am going with the Eskimo Shark Z51. Its a nice trade off since the GF wants me to get exercise with a hand auger. Lugging around an extra 5# might do me some good.

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Looks like I am going with the Eskimo Shark Z51. Its a nice trade off since the GF wants me to get exercise with a hand auger. Lugging around an extra 5# might do me some good.

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Your young…you can handle it pug..

Scheels in Sioux Falls has the smaller Eskimo Stingray for 249. I have a 2hp Jiffy that I bought new for 225 and it has never let me down. Today’s augers are reliable and will cut holes, some faster than others and some heavier than others.

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Looks like I am going with the Eskimo Shark Z51. Its a nice trade off since the GF wants me to get exercise with a hand auger. Lugging around an extra 5# might do me some good.

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Your young…you can handle it pug..

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Ended up with the Magnum. Apparently, although Gander carries Eskimo online, they do not in stores.

Worked nicely for me today.

have had an eskimo auger for 8 years never had a problem replacing the blades is only thing I’ve needed to do so far. a Lot cheaper.

AJ what did you end up getting?