I don’t fish a lot of lakes where the ice is tremedously thick, I mostly fish rivers. I have used a hand auger for 20+ years. With these past few winters it’s getting old hand drilling 24+” of ice on the river. So now is Strikemaster still the way to go? It seems to be to me. Any thoughts on this? I’m all ears.
i currently have a jiffy stx 10″ 3hp, i like it because its built well and durable but its heavy!, i had a lazor mag and i loved it lite fast and didnt wear you out drilling holes, but it got ripped off and i bought the jiffy, personally if you travel alot and move around buy a strikemaster, bought i cant comment on the 2hp jiffy, i can say i’m on 3 or 4 years on the same blade and i drill alot of holes, the lazor mag was finicky if they got a nick in the blades didn’t drill very well, but they are both very good auger in my oppion, hope it helps you.. 
I also run the 3hp jiffy 10″. It is a monster, super heavy, but I am still a young guy and cutting dozens of holes is good for me. Mine is about 5 years old. If I was to buy one now I would look into the new Strikemasters. I still question how tough they are just due to their weight, mine gets the crap kicked out of it riding in the sled behind my snowmobile. I have been debating getting an 8″ blade as the 10″ I think is overkill for what I do mostly which is jig bluegill.
My jiffy is 25 years old and runs better than when it was new. I had an old guy sharpen it 7 or 8 years ago and don’t know what he did but what an edge, and dig man brace yourself this sucker cuts fast!
I’m a Strikemaster guy so you’ll get support for thinking about Strikemaster. I own a 5 yr old LazerMag 8″ with the Tecumseh engine and have had tremendous luck with it. Last year I bought a Strike-Lite 4 stroke 8″ which is what I’m currently pulling out onto the ice. It’s a great auger and at 20#, the lightest in the industry. It may not cut as fast as the new Strikemaster Solo 2 strokes, but it cuts plenty fast enough for me. I never have to drill my own holes when someone’s with me because they all want to use the Strike Lite. Works for me… Additionally, you’ll find threads here on IDO talking about the fantastic Strikemaster service. The company is indeed committed to their product and to making their customer base happy with incrediblly quick turn around with parts, should any be needed. You’ll love your new Strikemaster, regardless of which one you get. 
I have a Strikemaster Laser mag 2hp 8″ and I love it!!!
Had a guy yesterday comment on how quickly I was drilling holes with it.
I will second the Strikemaster Lazer with the Solo motor. I have owned Eskimo before this and they are a decent auger but the Strikemaster is head and shoulders above it. My cousin has a Jiffy and after trying my Strikemaster he is selling his Jiffy. Best customer service in the business, they had me a replacement recoil the next day.
IMHO You probably can’t go wrong with either Jiffy or Strikemaster, but I’d be leaning towards SM myself, my Lazer mag simply amazes me, Kind of neglected it last year, never started it once last ice season, pull it out of the garage the otherday 4 pulls and she was roaring to life and running great, cuts ice like it was born to hate ice.
The new solo is even faster too, does speed really matter? That all depends on you, even though I don’t punch a ton of holes, I still love how fast it does it.
You should consider too which type of blade you want, I a lazer blade, some say they don’t work good for reopening holes, I haven’t had and issue reopening any holes, but chipper blades are suppose to be better for that.
In fact if I were looking I may look at the 4 stroke SM, plenty of really good reviews on here…
The Strikemaster SOLO is a one heck of an Auger. Burns holes my friend. I’ll burn more holes in a year than most will burn in a lifetime, and they’ve got one awesome machine Kayle. Plus Chicks dig these awesome machines. Sounds like your knocking down Jack Pines here in the Northwoods Kayle!! I’ll let you watch me burn holes when your back up pal!! 
Seems to me that Strikemaster is the way to go. Nothing against Jiffy but I have been using a 2hp Strikemaster the last two times at the river and I am overly amazed with it. It’s not very heavy and man can you cut through the ice with it. A speed thing doesn’t matter to me. I want durability mostly. Sometimes I’m not to nice to my equipment when on the go. Definately will go with an 8″. 10″ is just to much IMO. Chris you got those fish dialed in for me when I get there? Can’t wait bud. Exactly 5 weeks away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the opinions fellas it’s appreciated!
I’m on my 4th year with my Lazer Mag 10 inch. She runs better now than she did when new, 2 pulls and she fires up. I like the 10 inch personally. Unless it’s a giant, I’m too lazy to pull my transducer out of the hole for every fish, I like the extra room! I don’t understand why some people turn their noses up at the 10 inch, what’s not to like about more room to play with?
Strikemaster Is the way to go. I puchased a lazer mag this year to replace my POS Eskimo from last year, and like Chris said that thing burns holes. Way faster and smoother then any other auger I have used. The Solo doesn’t even slow down drilling 26″ of Ice, it just powers through. Enjoy.
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I don’t understand why some people turn their noses up at the 10 inch, what’s not to like about more room to play with?
To each their own but a 10″ auger cuts over twice as much ice as a 7″ auger. Strikemaster has compensated this with additional torque.
A 10″ will tire you out in a combination of weight and torque. Brian you’re probably just one ripped son of a… 
. If you like it use it
Try out a 7″ bit under a Solo engine! Thats love at first hole 
I have one additional comment for you about the 4 stroke Strike Lite…and I’m not sure about the new Solo engines. But..on my old LazerMag 2 stroke, I always got a smell of fuel onto my gloves when opening the vent on the gas cap. The 4 stroke Strike Lite is a closed system, gas cap remains tightly closed, no vent….so there is NEVER a whiff of fuel on my gloves or hands. I love that feature…
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I don’t understand why some people turn their noses up at the 10 inch, what’s not to like about more room to play with?
To each their own but a 10″ auger cuts over twice as much ice as a 7″ auger. Strikemaster has compensated this with additional torque.
A 10″ will tire you out in a combination of weight and torque. Brian you’re probably just one ripped son of a…
Try out a 7″ bit under a Solo engine! Thats love at first hole
Matt,
This body was made with deep fried fish and Coor’s Light, so ripped……..no! 
I understand what you’re saying though, I guess I’ve always had a 10 inch, don’t know any better. 
I have used a Solo this year, saweeeeeet!! I just can’t justify it yet, my Lazer Mag is in her prime. 
I probably only drill a quarter of the holes you do, so fatigue hasn’t hit me yet.
Coors Light? Try Molson once, you’ll be slinging that 10″er around like Bunyan.
Worked for Bowman anyway 
i bought a new eskimo mako 43cc model this year. it is a 2 blade, like the lazer. and it is just as light, and cuts holes just as fast as my buddy’s lazer mag.
and it was more then $100 less.
also, it has always started on first pull.
I have a mag 3000 10 inch and a mag 2000 8 inch. Both are awesome and have never had a problem. I wouldnt use anything else!
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The 4 stroke Strike Lite is a closed system, gas cap remains tightly closed, no vent….so there is NEVER a whiff of fuel on my gloves or hands. I love that feature…
FYI: All the new StrikeMasters are a closed vent system. You’re right though it is an awesome system! It sure is nice not having gas all over your gloves. I’ve been using my Solo all year and I still can’t get over how great it is not having to open up that vent.
On a side note I’d really like to see what people do to break the handles on these augers. My auger barely shuts off all winter and I’ve yet to have an issue. I guess I don’t drop it out of my truck or let it fall off my wheeler or…
A Nils Master has no plastic handles, all steel, 48 or 42″ bit, blades are able to be resharpened and they run a motor thats been around for 40 years. At 22 pounds and lightning quick you cant go wrong. Advice from a former Strikemaster lover.
Don’t forget,…..we still have a date to line em up
I just pounded out 30 holes with my new 3hp solo and all I can say is WOW. Going from my old 3hp laser that was 40 some pounds to the Solo is going to save my back 
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Way winters going I’ll bring the Nils to the Muskie Expo in April Matt
I sling that Solo like Favre slings pig skin. 
April?!……Muskie?! Whats a matter with you?,…You’re going to Jinx the rest of the season
Anyone know how well the 2hp 2 stroke runs the 10 inch blade you can get with it?
I ordered mime yesterday,and yes it is a strikemaster. I was at the fishing derby in Onalaska 2 weeks ago and 2/3 of the people had strikemaster and no one said a bad word about them,except that there gas was bad,and whos fault is that? Also going to the Lions icefishing derby this weekend and hope to use that new strikemaster.
I have a Mag2000 which I think they’ve discontinued and now have a new, improved version available.
I’ve had it about 8 years or so and has punched more than a few holes. Starts great, runs great.
I broke the throttle control shortly after I got it and, as stated my many others here, the customer service at Strikemaster is second to none. They sent out a new one IMMEDIATELY…and free of charge.
Perch_44 bought a new Mako this year and seems to be a nice machine, too. The one feature I really liked about was the big “hoop” handle on the pull start so it’s easy to start when wearing big gloves/mitts. In fact, I liked it so much, I retro-fitted my Strikemaster with a recoil handle off a Polaris snowmobile.
Just my .02 fishbucks.
I’ve got 13 years on my Strikemaster Lazer and it’s still going strong. Back in ’97 that Lazer was the thing to have.
Now, with the Solo introduction, I used Joel Nelson’s 3hp Solo and I couldn’t believe the difference. Fast, light and much easier to drill! No more gas cap issues, quicker starting and much faster RPMs it was that moment I decided it was time to update, and I was going to get a Solo by next ice season.
This past weekend I fished the Alexandria ice fishing contest and I won a new Lazer Mag 2.5hp Solo! To say I am happy is an understatement… Thanks Strikemaster!
Congrats on the new auger Chuck. Very cool to own one, better yet to win it!
I’d love to see that race you guys are working on between the Nils and Strikemaster. A few years ago, I did a 10-hole-per-auger race against a Nils with my old Strikemaster Lazer. I had dull blades on my Lazer to the point where I had to apply pressure to get it to cut, and I drilled 8.5 in the time it took the Nils owner to drill 10.
With my 3hp solo, at almost twice the RPMs, I’m guessing the results will speak for themselves. And speed is one thing, but being able to find blades is another. I was with a Nils owner who drilled into some sand, and we were using my Lazer the rest of the trip!
Joel
Who the heck knows what Jiffy is up to anymore. I have been an owner and advocate of them for two decades but they sure seem to be letting SM run rough shod over them in the marketing arena (all the fishing sites) these days and havent even come out with a 4-stroke. Makes a person wonder if they are even trying to survive.
What’s going on Jiffy!!!!!!??????????
Talk to me. I would love to help.
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