Ice Auger Question?

[dwag70]

Thinking about a Eskimo

What are the complaints about these? What should I watch for. Just cant justify the high price of the jiffy and strikemasters? Do not need speed just something to cut the hole for me that will start !!

[hanson]

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Do not need speed just something to cut the hole for me that will start !!

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You'll be fine with an Eskimo! All auger manufacturers have a great product. There are minor differences between all auger manufacturers which some people like and some people don't like.

You can buy a Jiffy, Strikemaster, or an Eskimo with a 2hp Tecumseh powerhead on it. After that, the throttle controls, handles, gearboxes, primer/choke, and auger blades are different but the motor is still the same. They will all cut through the ice, some a little faster with a little less effort.

Heck, my dad's Jiffy Model 30 is 15+ years old and it does a good job for him. Is it heavy? Yes. Does it start fine? Yes. Does it cut a hole? Yes, and it has no problem with 4' of ice! I can cut 2 holes to his 1 with my Stikemaster Lazer Express but we both end up fishing and he sometimes outfishes me!

[LocalGuide]

I am also going to be getting one of these augers after x-mas.

Im looking more towards the Shark model because they are the only ones with the chainsaw style engine and not the Tech. engines.

I like eskimo too because they have a primer and a choke. Their exaust is protected by a plastic cover so you dont burn your coat. The pistol style throttle is easy to grip. The engine revs up faster than most augers out there. You can also lay the auger down on its side on the ice and it wont stop running. A strikemaster or a jiffy would most of the time.

IMO there is just to many pros compared to cons. Thats why I am going to get a Eskimo Shark.

My dad has a 2yr old Eskimo shark 10". I love the engine and it starts right up all the time.

The only bad thing is that they are a little on the heavy side if you get the bigger engine.

[andy j]

If you are thinking about the $200 Eskimo,(Stingray) I would spend the extra $50 for the Strikemaster Mag 2000. The $200 Eskimo only has a 1.2 horse motor, and the mag 2000 has a 2 horse. The $200 eskimo stingray seems to look a little ceasy with its components (lot of light duty plastic) Look at a display unit of a Mag 2000 and a Eskimo and you will see the differnce in quality. Good luck AJ

[Franchiz]

Does the 2005 Shark still have the chainsaw motor? I think they changed motors when they split the Shark into two versions. Last year, I bought the old split handle version and I love it!!

[LocalGuide]

Yes they do. The Shark are the only ones with the Chain Saw style engine on them. Thats the reason I am getting one too this year.

My dad has last years model and I love it. The only thing that I dont like what they did this year is went to a plastic type of handle. I tend to drop things everyonce in a while and the plastic wont help me out either.

But otherwise the nothing has really changed on the sharks. They now offer a smaller engine instead of just one size but I think thats it.

[Polar Bear]

I have the Eskimo Barracuda, I bought it 4 years ago and love it. Its been to LOW and URL several times and chewed through an honest 46" of ice easily with extension. Of course the trick is to make sure your blades are always sharp. It was fairly cheap, I don't have any complaints.

[eagleeye2000]

Andyj..........Darrel from the Knoll I have a 8" strikemaster and i think its great,Strikmaster has a new one with for blades, iam sure you have seen it at where you work. Good fishing see ya on the ice...Darrel/Eagleeye2000

[fishin789]

I have an eskimo. not sure what one,the maual only lists it as a tc300.It's almost 20 years old and I'm still on the first set of blades. I have run a file on them to sharpen them up.I've never had a problem with it.And I've had days searching for fish cutting 30 holes plus in a day.I also have a 12" extention for if the ice gets that thick. and never had a problem cutting through that much ice.

[anyfishwilldo]

I would not buy anything but Strikemaster. Their customer service is awesome. I bought my first auger 15 years ago Mag III, which is the same as the Mag 2000. Two years ago, the tranny gears went bad. I took it all apart, and proceded to take the parts to the factory in Big Lake to buy some replacements. Not only did they not charge me for them, but they even installed them for free also. I sold that auger last year, and bought a Lazer Mag Express. All I can say about that is FAST.