One more vote for the Lazer 6". Excellent for early ice.

I had an 8" Lazer and loved it.

I drilled 5 holes in 12" of ice before another group of guys had one hole cut with their Jiffy. I noticed a couple of the guys were watching so I drilled a few more just for kicks.

After they went around the loop hitting each other trying to get enough nerve to come over and ask to use my auger, one of them finally came over and asked what kind of auger I had and if they could borrow it.

The Lazers are nice, but I think the Nils is better.

I remember about 6 years ago out on Upper Red Lake having to get down on my knees to get through the last few inches of ice in Feb. Let's just say "Run and Gun" was not high up there on our list of tactics More like drill a hole, get things setup and fish in that hole for a while then drill another.

I have a 6" mora, and love it. Replacement blades are $13 at fleet farm. Keep em sharp and dont drill rocks and the thing is fast and quiet.

I got mine as a gift, but if I had to buy one it would be a Laser.

Everyone here is all wound up about "I would never use a hand auger" they all have thier place. I use my hand auger as much or more than my gas auger. I will run the hand auger almost exclusively untill there is a foot of ice. Even after that I will use it when stealth is a factor.

Right now, early ice, clear ice, shallow water, no snow, spooky fish, the hand auger is the only way to go.

6" lazer for the last 8 yrs of early ice up to 8". Haven't had to change the blades yet and still cuts great. I hear Nils is still the best.

Thanks for all the information guys.

I went and cut 4 holes with my 8" mora in under two minutes in 5" of ice. I plan on buying a gas auger maybe mid Jan when there is over 1' of ice, but until then I will sweat a little.

8" lazer is the only way to go, and they reopen holes so easy.

I couldnt believe it when my cousin "chopped" through a foot and a half of ice with a chissle so that he could put a tip-up out, he had no auger, had holes drilled in his house but not outside. It is amazing what some people will endure to fish. Was a big hole that tapered down to pretty small at the bottom of the ice.

Last year I bought the 7" Arctic Express hand auger from HT. It is similar to the Lazer but less expensive. It cuts very nice. I also have a 5" Mora still hanging in my garage that was replaced by the HT.

I have 6" and 4.5" nils that I use on early ice. They are amazing, I must have drilled hundreds of holes and these blades still don't need sharpening, going on six years and counting! They cost a bit more but well worth it.

Lazer 6"....

I use a lazer 7" have used it for the last three years till the ice is about 10" thick then its time for gas. we did drill a bunch of holes with it on the big pond a couple years ago when the ice was 14 plus inches. worked just fine but was not very time effective.

there is a 5 inch strikemaster for 5 bucks right now in the minneapolis CL, sporting goods

I don't use my hand Nils very often but I have nothing but good to say about it. It cuts like a dream.