Strikemaster Chipper Auger - Single or Dual Blade?

[Fishoil]

I'm going to order a replacement chipper auger from Strikemaster and see they offer a single or dual blade. Does anyone have the dual blade set-up? Does it cut any better, faster, etc...? It's about $35 more than the single, which seems reasonable. I just don't want to buy one and have problems with it like the 9" 3-blade auger I'm replacing.

[rambler]

What were the problems with the 9 inch 3 blade?

[Fishoil]

I wiped out a set of blades on some zebra mussels that were imbedded in the ice two years ago and ever since I haven't been able to get it to cut any better than my 40 year old Jiffy. I've replaced the blades several times with new ones I bought from Strikemaster, but it just doesn't cut holes like it should. I ran that first set of blades for several years and the thing was flat out awesome, now I've given up on it and will replace the auger with a chipper style. I'm just not sure if the dual blade is better or worse than the single blade.

[CrankYanker]

I had to buy new blades for my double set up this year... have yet to use them but I hope it cuts like it did when it was brand new. I think it is 4 or 5 years old but that equals about 10,000 holes for me. The problem with the double blades is anything in the ice will dull them immediately as stated above. Another thing that will get ya is sand... if it has blown onto the ice your screwed. If you can keep the blades perfect the double really hauls A$$ but they are not as bullet proof as the chipper. I have a 10" auger and will blast any normal 8" chipper when she's sharp. On another note the chipper is excellent for reopening holes where the double basically cannot drill where a hole has previously been. This makes opening froze over holes in a permanent shack basically impossible with the double. If I was you I would probably stick with the chipper. Looks like a may be doing the same if my new blades don't pan out like fishoil's.......

[The Bait Shop Guy]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the single blades are easier to find, and about half the price of the double sets, (around $29 versus $55+.) You can also have the single blades resharpened.

What were the problems with the 9 inch 3 blade?

Seemed like a good idea, but they would jam up with ice after drilling a hole, and replacement blades were around $90 a set!

[Fishoil]

Chris - The double blade I'm talking about has 2 chipper blades, not the Lazer blades like I have now. At least that's what the lady at Strikemaster told me. Did I get some bad info.?

[The Bait Shop Guy]

If you check out their website at http://strikemaster.com/store/blades.html and click on the chipper blades, they do show single and dual blades. It says the dual blade set up is only for their new electric model and their solo powerhead models. I'd say go with the single blade, and save a few bucks. Single bladed Jiffys have been making swiss cheese out of ice for 60 years. There's a reason they've made very few changes in all that time.

[tomjohn]

And also DON"T bang the end of you your auger on the ice if it's iced up. It only takes a fraction of an inch do distort the end and will not cut worth a damn. Just saying

[CrankYanker]

two chipper blades would ROCK!