Best Hand Ice Auger

[JerkinLips]

I remember there was discussion on the forum last winter on the best hand ice auger, but I don't recall what the consensus was. What is the best hand ice auger and where can it be purchased? Thanks for the info.

[Steve Foss]

Nils. Nothing else even comes close. Check out the HSO store.

[Redlantern]

Nils, like Steve said. My daughter has no trouble cutting holes in the ice for me with it.

[Esox_Magnum]

X3 on the Nils

[Mike Stark]

NILS

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Nils again!

Cliff

[shamrock7]

ditto

[Jim Almquist]

+7

[SkunkedAgain]

I guess that I've never used a Nils before, but I did learn that it's better to have a smaller diameter such as 8" when you are hand augering. I like my 10" but it does become a chore going through the second foot of ice!

[Netman]

The only hand auger I've ever liked was a Lazer by Strikemaster but I've never tried a Nils. What makes them so special?

[Steve Foss]

I've never tried a Nils. What makes them so special?

The small amount of effort it takes to make a fast hole. Distinctly and measurably faster than any other hand auger I've seen. I use the hand version for first/early ice and in the BWCAW, then the same drill goes on my IceGator, so I'm using the Nils drill all winter long.

[harvey lee]

+9

[Redlantern]

I've used the mora 7 inch, lazer 8 inch and the nils 6 inch. Granted, the smaller diameter of the nils is going to make drilling easier but that thing makes drilling simple. My daughter was drilling holes when she was nine. I had to start it for her since she wasn't all that tall then. The handles are offset, which takes all of about ten seconds to get used to, then it seems like it's just more efficient. Only downside I can see is the availability of getting the blades sharpened but I think Northlander does it for stupid cheap and has a fast turn around. I haven't had to get mine sharpened yet but I'll probably go through him when it's time.

[Steve Foss]

. . . getting the blades sharpened but I think Northlander does it for stupid cheap and has a fast turn around. I haven't had to get mine sharpened yet but I'll probably go through him when it's time.

That's actually Surface Tension. Nils certified sharpening, fast turnaround, great price. He'll be getting mine here pretty quick. And the word is that blades coming back from Frank cut faster than the factory blades.

[Redlantern]

Thanks for catching the mistake, Steve. Sorry Surface Tension and Northlander for the mixup. What happened to the edit button?

[upnorth]

If a post sits too long, the edit button goes away.

[Northlander]

I dont sharpen them but Frank does a awesome job on them. He gets mine at the begining of the season and whenever else I need them sharpened. When I get them back from him they are super sharp and Im back burnin holes again.

get them to him quick before the big rush starts.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I agree with Northlander!

Frank has sharpened my blades ever since I bought my Nils! 3 to 5 day turn around most of the times and they are always sharper then the factory blades!

Cliff

[Surface Tension]

+10 Nils

Thanks for the good words.

I've been drilling holes with the Nils for the past month.

Test drilling in a bucket of ice that is.