KDrill 6in vs StrikeMaster 24V

I have a KDrill 6in. and wondering if the Strikemaster 24Volt 6in size is bigger as I believe the KDrill 6 in is actually 5 1/2? What might the pros and cons be between the two augers? How does the Strikemaster do on old holes etc. Thanks Packerjo

I have a strikemaster light flight 6″ bit on a dewalt drill. It’s faster than the 6″ k-drill. The only reason I’d buy a k-drill was if I had a wheel house and needed to re-open old holes.

I was told the light flite doesn’t open old holes. But my 8 inch has been reopening holes all season. Ones that I drilled before so I know that it’s the same size.

I used a buddies light flight and they cut much smoother and faster than the k-drill. I agree about using the k-drill to open old holes though.

I have the 8″ k drill and it’ll damn near break your arm opening old holes. You can grind through them but when they catch you better be ready.

I’ve been happy with the K drill but if you also have to buy a new drill I’d get a Strikemaster.

I have an 8 inch Lite Flite with Dewalt drill and a Clam adapter plate. It drills anything on the ice. New holes, old holes whatever. I’ve never had a problem drilling but the most ice I’ve drilled is 12 inches.

Matt Moen wrote:

I have the 8″ k drill and it’ll damn near break your arm opening old holes. You can grind through them but when they catch you better be ready.

I’ve been happy with the K drill but if you also have to buy a new drill I’d get a Strikemaster.

I too have the 8″ Kdrill. I will probably go with either a Pistol Bit or Lite Flite at some point…but there’s no way I’d switch to something not drill powered. What do any of the solely ice auger dedicated units do for you the other 8-8.5 months per year besides collect dust? I just don’t understand the market for the 24v. The 40v I get its purpose if you’re fishing very thick ice and lots of holes and whatnot. Even with the K drill and no plate, drilling holes in ice up to 18″ or so is pretty simple for me. Pair a drill with one of the new lighter shaver style augers and you’re investing in something you can use year round that’s as fast and reliable as anything else on the market.

buckybadger wrote:

What do any of the solely ice auger dedicated units do for you the other 8-8.5 months per year besides collect dust? I just don’t understand the market for the 24v. The 40v I get its purpose if you’re fishing very thick ice and lots of holes and whatnot. Even with the K drill and no plate, drilling holes in ice up to 18″ or so is pretty simple for me. Pair a drill with one of the new lighter shaver style augers and you’re investing in something you can use year round that’s as fast and reliable as anything else on the market.

I recently bought the 40 volt and almost bought the 24. I considered going with a drill option but I would’ve had to purchase a capable drill so in the end I would’ve been at the same money as the 24 and wouldnt have a comfortable handle and I don’t need a fancy drill that would rarely be used when my cheap ones work for me.

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>buckybadger wrote:</div>
What do any of the solely ice auger dedicated units do for you the other 8-8.5 months per year besides collect dust? I just don’t understand the market for the 24v. The 40v I get its purpose if you’re fishing very thick ice and lots of holes and whatnot. Even with the K drill and no plate, drilling holes in ice up to 18″ or so is pretty simple for me. Pair a drill with one of the new lighter shaver style augers and you’re investing in something you can use year round that’s as fast and reliable as anything else on the market.

I recently bought the 40 volt and almost bought the 24. I considered going with a drill option but I would’ve had to purchase a capable drill so in the end I would’ve been at the same money as the 24 and wouldnt have a comfortable handle and I don’t need a fancy drill that would rarely be used when my cheap ones work for me.

I agree…I like the k drill and went with it because I had the drill. That makes it a great option.

If you have to buy a new drill and the bit you might as well get the lithium auger imho. If you didn’t need a big ass drill in the past you likely don’t need one now!

let me preface by saying I have a Kdrill and like it. But- I’ll never understand “opening old holes” argument. I’ve grabbed a 10″ strikemaster 40V from my cousin and ran through opening 10″ holes from the previous week no problem. I’ve opened old holes with an eskimo stingray, opened old holes with an eskimo pistol bit and drill, opened old holes with my Kdrill. Is there something I’m missing that makes it difficult for some people???

I have the 6in K drill now mounted on the clam plate with fuel drill with 2 5amp batteries for the drill. I like it a lot but wish the 6 in hole was just a little bigger. I think with the k drill it’s only a 5 1/2 in hole. A friend has the 8 in but that seems large for me. I mostly go for panfish etc. I think it just makes sense for me to just stay with my setup. Thanks for all the input.

Matt Moen wrote:

I have the 8″ k drill and it’ll damn near break your arm opening old holes. You can grind through them but when they catch you better be ready.

I’ve been happy with the K drill but if you also have to buy a new drill I’d get a Strikemaster.

Ha ha!!

I can attest to this!!

Last March I grabbed a buddies k drill to drill a hole. Ice was thick.

When I was able to have the drill anchored against my body it was fine. Could tell it was rough cutting but going ok.

Had to squat down for the last little bit and the drill wasn’t supported as well. Auger caught and drill kept a spinning. There was a loud snap, I got hot/sweaty and thought I was gonna puke. Detonated the 4th metacarpal in my Right hand.

Happened at 0930. We were into some seriously nice crappies so I came off the ice at 230 to head to urgent care.

The lake is behind my house through the woods and we boondock the snowmobiles through the woods to get there.

Interesting ride back to say the least.

I won’t touch another k drill again if it doesn’t have an extension.

Attachments:

1. 

   1C76DAE5-F657-42D2-8918-747B3E496400.jpeg
   

2. 

   5260B7FC-43EE-4A15-BBE0-ADA069DA9643.jpeg
   

Bearcat89 wrote:

I was told the light flite doesn’t open old holes. But my 8 inch has been reopening holes all season. Ones that I drilled before so I know that it’s the same size.

The 8″ Lite Flite reopens holes far better than the original Strikemaster Lazer bit. I was 100% sold on the Lite Flite once I made that revelation last season.

I had the 6” Kdrill and got a 6” Lite Flite last year. I sold the Kdrill there’s no comparison the Lite Flite blows the Kdrill away. Probably uses half the battery because it’s so fast. The Kdrill is decent but I don’t need my ice shavings like a snow cone just give me a hole. And I’ve never had an issue at all opening up old holes.

6″ K-Drill is 6″ the 8″ is approx 7 1/2″. All of the drill bits have their good points and they all have their weak points. I think when the drill units first came out they were in a class all their own. Now I think they make less sense. When I bought mine I had to buy a Milwaukee drill as well. It never gets used outside of turning a K-Drill. If I was in the market for an auger it would be the 24v hands down. To an extent it depends on your style of fishing. They will all put a hold through the ice.

I bought the 24v Strikemaster from Dicks when they were running a 25% off one item sale. I used it last weekend for the first time and I am impressed! I can’t believe how fast it cuts through the ice. My old power auger I had to apply pressure for it to cut but this one once it starts cutting it pulls itself through. I didn’t need another drill and for the fishing I do this will work great for me.