Old Auger Blades

[BlueSnow]

What do you do with your old auger blades?  I got a new set for christmas and trying to decide what the best thing to do with the originals.

[iceman260]

Send them to fish 307 to be sharpened.

[Chute82]

Send em in..

https://www.fish307.com/auger-blade-sharpening/

[lefty2053]

Sharpen them yourself. What kind are they? I sharpen mine all the time and they cut great.

[Lobes]

Sharpen them yourself. What kind are they? I sharpen mine all the time and they cut great.

X2 -
It's a perfect chance to learn how. Only takes a minute to swap them out. Follow the same bevel as the original and only file or grind the same side as originally ground. Then bring your sharp set and wrench along to change back if they don't cut just right. After a few tries you'll have it.
Not rocket science / you're only sharpening one side of a piece of steel!

                                                                                                     
Lobes

[Ice Scratcher]

X2 -
It's a perfect chance to learn how. Only takes a minute to swap them out. Follow the same bevel as the original and only file or grind the same side as originally ground. Then bring your sharp set and wrench along to change back if they don't cut just right. After a few tries you'll have it.
Not rocket science / you're only sharpening one side of a piece of steel!

                                                                                                     
Lobes

X3...

Only the top side...

<°)))>{

[aj454]

never had any luck with resharpened blades. Tried it a few times and now I toss the old ones and buy new.

[UFCreel]

Check out jackpine on this site. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiOkfr8q8nRAhUM74MKHeThBWAQFggfMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIceAugerSharpening%2F&usg=AFQjCNE5AzoUKe_NlTXgWYfLnLz6m7N8AQ&bvm=bv.144224172,d.amc He makes old blades sharper than sharp! Around here he is the go to guy.

[lefty2053]

never had any luck with resharpened blades. Tried it a few times and now I toss the old ones and buy new.

Here is how you do it. Take a magic marker and cover the cutting blade with it. Get a fine stone or file and only take off the marker. That is all it takes. Don't change the bevel or angle of the blade and you'll have sharp blades. Also, Never put downward pressure on your blades while cutting. Never drill through Sand(Sand trucks go over bridges) and Dirt that wind has blown onto the lake and they stay sharp for a long time. I only Sharpen mine at the end of the year.
 Give it a try and you will do it all the time just like Ice fishing.

[BlueSnow]

Here is how you do it. Take a magic marker and cover the cutting blade with it. Get a fine stone or file and only take off the marker. That is all it takes. Don't change the bevel or angle of the blade and you'll have sharp blades. Also, Never put downward pressure on your blades while cutting. Never drill through Sand(Sand trucks go over bridges) and Dirt that wind has blown onto the lake and they stay sharp for a long time. I only Sharpen mine at the end of the year.
 Give it a try and you will do it all the time just like Ice fishing.

That's a pretty cool idea using the marker.  Do you use something along the lines of a flat 1" file?

[lefty2053]

I use whatever works. I mostly use a small Stone.

[fishermantim]

I like the marker idea.
That will definitely let you know when you've got the blade done.

The key is definitely keeping the exact same angle as the original blade had.
If not, you will never be able to cut right.

Must be a way to ensure the blade and stone stay at the right angles, like a blade sharpening template?

[flyhaven]

lansky knife sharpner has preset angles.Not sure if one of them is the same as auger blades.I would have to try since I have one I used for knives.

[BlueSnow]

I'm pretty keen to try this with the old blades now - too bad I can't make an ice cube big enough in the freezer to test it out.

Thanks for the recommendation on sharpening and places who will refresh the edge.

[lefty2053]

Here is one good read on auger blade sharpening. Never sharpen both sides. Read it.
https://redrockstore.com/2015/10/09/ice-auger-blade-sharpening-what-to-not-do/

[deadsmelthead]

I tried sharpening Lazer blades, but its just not my forte, ive sharpened the old Mora style blades with no issue, the curve in the Lazers gets me.. Anyways i googled blade sharpeners in my area , and i found a guy close by, he charges $6 to sharpen them.. Its amazing what you will find in your backyard instead of mailing blades out waiting a few days etc etc.. I found half the price and a 5 minute drive down the road and a 10 minute wait while he sharpens them...

[deadsmelthead]

I'm pretty keen to try this with the old blades now - too bad I can't make an ice cube big enough in the freezer to test it out.

Thanks for the recommendation on sharpening and places who will refresh the edge.

Just fill an old bucket and throw it outside to freeze, thats what ive always done.. It is winter lol..

[BlueSnow]

Just fill an old bucket and throw it outside to freeze, thats what ive always done.. It is winter lol..

With the temps in my area this week I'd be better of testing the outboard in that bucket.  That's a good idea though once things get back into their regular pattern.

[Muskypike]

Take them and get em sharpened . It's not expensive and it will be done right.

[jackpine]

Check out jackpine on this site. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiOkfr8q8nRAhUM74MKHeThBWAQFggfMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIceAugerSharpening%2F&usg=AFQjCNE5AzoUKe_NlTXgWYfLnLz6m7N8AQ&bvm=bv.144224172,d.amc He makes old blades sharper than sharp! Around here he is the go to guy.

Thanks Creel, this is my 16th year doing blades.

[Luckydog]

+1 on having Jackpine sharpen your blades.  He's been taking care of my Lazer blades for years (both power and hand drill blades).  The blades are "scary sharp" when Fran gets through with them!