Ice Aoger (hand) Problem

Hello

I recently bought an older model Mora Strikemaster hand ice auger. I
am pretty sure they do not make this model anymore, in any case there
is no model number to be found on it. It does say it was manufactured
in Big Lake, MN.

I tried to use the auger yesterday and had a very hard time. The
auger is rather big, and has two 4.5" blades. The blades "look" and
feel sharp. The auger didn't want to "bite" into the ice, and sort of
danced around on the surface. With the two 4.5" blades, the hole to
be cut is 10" wide, but with the "dancing" problem, the hole ended up
being 13" wide.

I'm guessing that I have one of two problems. 1) My blades aren't
sharp enough. But there appear to be no nicks in the blade, and it
certainly "feels" sharp if in run my finger along it. 2) That 10"
hole is too big. I couldn't even find reference to any other auger
that cuts so big a hole. Every other ice auger I've used had about a
6" diameter blade.

All of the ads say that Mora Strikemasters are all built in Sweden,
but mine says Big Lake, MN. What's the story on this?

So what do you think? Should I start looking at other ice augers, or
should I try to improve my blade situation? Are 10" augers common?

Thanx, Tom

parlee wrote:
Hello

I recently bought an older model Mora Strikemaster hand ice auger. I
am pretty sure they do not make this model anymore, in any case there
is no model number to be found on it. It does say it was manufactured
in Big Lake, MN.

I tried to use the auger yesterday and had a very hard time. The
auger is rather big, and has two 4.5" blades. The blades "look" and
feel sharp. The auger didn't want to "bite" into the ice, and sort of
danced around on the surface. With the two 4.5" blades, the hole to
be cut is 10" wide, but with the "dancing" problem, the hole ended up
being 13" wide.

I'm guessing that I have one of two problems. 1) My blades aren't
sharp enough. But there appear to be no nicks in the blade, and it
certainly "feels" sharp if in run my finger along it. 2) That 10"
hole is too big. I couldn't even find reference to any other auger
that cuts so big a hole. Every other ice auger I've used had about a
6" diameter blade.

All of the ads say that Mora Strikemasters are all built in Sweden,
but mine says Big Lake, MN. What's the story on this?

So what do you think? Should I start looking at other ice augers, or
should I try to improve my blade situation? Are 10" augers common?

Thanx, Tom


Holy cow!! A 10" hand auger is a bit much. I don't think Arnold could
drill a hole with it even if it was sharp.
I believe the company is still located in Big Lake, MN, but it does not
matter; 10" is too big. for a hand auger.
My brother fishes panfish through the ice a lot and uses a 4" hand
auger, no problem.
Sully