StrikeMaster Lite Flite v Nils v KDrill v Pistol Bit. Thoughts for new anglers

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

So with the upcoming ice season coming up fast (already here for some folks,) I got a bunch of questions about which auger I like better, my Nils, or the Lite Flite. I took some time and reviewed both my Nils Ice Auger and my new StrikeMaster Lite Flite. I also reviewed  some basic specs and pros and cons of the KDrill and Eskimo Pistol Bit. I answer the question, which do I like best for use with a cordless drill??

[hawg]

That’s 11 minutes of life I’ll never get back. Comparing products you’ve never used and forming opinions based on what you’ve heard, unbelievable. Sorry, that was bad.

[cavecat]

Thanks for the review. I thought it was excellent!!

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

That’s 11 minutes of life I’ll never get back. Comparing products you’ve never used and forming opinions based on what you’ve heard, unbelievable. Sorry, that was bad.

Haha!! Tried to keep it as basic as I could, and make it clear I hadn't used the KDrill or Pistol Bit. Theres a ton of new fisherman out there that don't know which direction to go, so I did my best. Thanks for taking the time to watch tho, I appreciate it.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Thanks for the review. I thought it was excellent!!

Thanks. Its definitely a hard topic to cover.

[stinkyfingers]

Nero

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Nero

Definitely a good option!!

[hardwater diehard]

Good review ..its always nice to have choices . There is no best auger ..but there is a best auger for you.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Good review ..its always nice to have choices . There is no best auger ..but there is a best auger for you.

Definitely. Well said

[Gunflint]

Nice review.

In my opinion, the options for powered augers, good and effective power augers, are many with the advent of the new generation of battery powered drills and new “drill ready” augers from many quality manufacturers. The bottom line is that there are many affordable and quality choices.

Now...once we wander back to “hand powered” that list shrinks dramatically and Nils has a huge advantage over most of the competitors.

Because I fish in the BWCA and motorized augers aren’t allowed,  Nils is still high on my list.

Thank you for putting up with my ranting,

Gunflint

[cavecat]

I am thinking about selling my 6" Nils and purchsing the Strike Master  8" lite flight. I have the Strikemaster 40v and I love it. I have had issues with the Nils Blades.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Nice review.

In my opinion, the options for powered augers, good and effective power augers, are many with the advent of the new generation of battery powered drills and new “drill ready” augers from many quality manufacturers. The bottom line is that there are many affordable and quality choices.

Now...once we wander back to “hand powered” that list shrinks dramatically and Nils has a huge advantage over most of the competitors.

Because I fish in the BWCA and motorized augers aren’t allowed,  Nils is still high on my list.

Thank you for putting up with my ranting,

Gunflint

Agreed on both. When it comes to hand augers, I haven't seen one that cuts like a Nils!! And all 4 I reviewed, will get you fishing!!

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

I am thinking about selling my 6" Nils and purchsing the Strike Master  8" lite flight. I have the Strikemaster 40v and I love it. I have had issues with the Nils Blades.

I want the 40v bad!! You won't be disappointed with the SM LF if you go that route.

[JTRCNC]

Thank you for your review and taking the time to do it.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

 Wasn't a bad video, but I think it left plenty of things /options on the nils out, that people might find valuable.

For instance nils offers a power point cutting head which would give it a center point.

If the concern is weight, one of the flights could be taken out and replaced with a pipe, making it lighter and the flights on it more Comparable to the lite flite

Also was left out the extentions on a nils are flighted, and are added to the bottom allowing you to make an auger however long you wanted to.

What would really be cool is if nils would come out with different type/style cutting heads. Like a chipper style or a flat blade shaver style cutting head with replaceable blades.

We all know what the best auger is already.......the one that is sharp...lol

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Thank you for your review and taking the time to do it.

Your welcome!

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Wasn't a bad video, but I think it left plenty of things /options on the nils out, that people might find valuable.

For instance nils offers a power point cutting head which would give it a center point.

If the concern is weight, one of the flights could be taken out and replaced with a pipe, making it lighter and the flights on it more Comparable to the lite flite

Also was left out the extentions on a nils are flighted, and are added to the bottom allowing you to make an auger however long you wanted to.

What would really be cool is if nils would come out with different type/style cutting heads. Like a chipper style or a flat blade shaver style cutting head with replaceable blades.

We all know what the best auger is already.......the one that is sharp...lol

All good points!! I didn't even know Nils made a power point version. I'll be sure to add all these to a future video I do on the Nils!! Thanks for the input!

[BaitBucket]

You should probably remove the kdrill and pistol bit from your title as you have no experience with them and didnt actually compare them.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

You should probably remove the kdrill and pistol bit from your title as you have no experience with them and didnt actually compare them.

Fair enough. Not going to remove anything from my title tho. I went over some objective points of both the KDrill and Pistol Bit, that don't need to be supported by a hands on trial. Weight is wt, length is length, price is price, battery consumption reports all over the internet with the KDrill is just that.  This was meant to offer new fisherman some insight on 4 of the most popular augers. Thanks for the recommendation tho!

[E.C]

I purchased the nils 8in treckker about a week ago to use with my Milwaukee fuel. I have been having second thoughts and considering the strikemaster lite flight. I like the the idea of it being less weight and less expensive blade replacements. Ive heard that the lazer blades can get stuck/jolted at the bottom of the hole. Can anyone confirm this? Would appreciate any other advice between the two. I can still return the nils if I change my mind.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

I purchased the nils 8in treckker about a week ago to use with my Milwaukee fuel. I have been having second thoughts and considering the strikemaster lite flight. I like the the idea of it being less weight and less expensive blade replacements. Ive heard that the lazer blades can get stuck/jolted at the bottom of the hole. Can anyone confirm this? Would appreciate any other advice between the two. I can still return the nils if I change my mind.

I didn’t experience this with my LF. I assume there is a difference between the Lazer, and lite flite blades. The look close, but my guess is the LF cut a little better.

[cavecat]

Great question EC! I would call Strikemaster with that question! I didn't see any special baldes for the LF on their website.

[grubdropper]

In your video there was some noticeable wobble in the shaft.  Is that correctable by tightening up the bolt to the adaptor?   

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

In your video there was some noticeable wobble in the shaft.  Is that correctable by tightening up the bolt to the adaptor?

If your referring to my last video where I pointed out the wobble between the adaptor and shaft on the LF, then yes, I fixed it by tightening the screw another 1/4 - 1/2”. Completely tight now. If your not questioning that, then I’m not sure what wobbly your asking about.

[grubdropper]

Yes that was my question.  Thanks for answering and the excellent videos you produce.

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

Yes that was my question.  Thanks for answering and the excellent videos you produce.

Great. 100% my fault. I thought I had it tightened, but it needed another 1/4 turn or so to lock it in tight.

[NateD]

All good points!! I didn't even know Nils made a power point version. I'll be sure to add all these to a future video I do on the Nils!! Thanks for the input!

I have it and its been in the shed unused for awhile, gets dull or "misaligned" even faster than the normal version.

[hnd]

i don't know why everyone is up in arms, you didn't actually use the drills, just kind of ran down the concensus pros and cons of each of the drills.  why you bought these 2 and not the other 2. 

for me, i've used all but the strikemaster. my experience is mostly dirty river/farm run off ice. 

nils - cuts fast but is definitlly obviously heavier than the others. 
non center point pistol bit - that thing walked like a mother.  got noticeably duller after a half a season use. 
k drill - starts off slower but as regular blades dull it catches up.  Does use more battery than the others.  5.0AH battery i got about 1000" of ice out of it.  same gun same charged battery, we got about 1250" of ice out of it.   

really the k drill is just a different animal than the other 2 lite flight augers. 

for the average angler who just gets out on the weekend and drills 10-20 holes, find the best price and you'll be happy.   using a good drill you got sitting in the workshop/garage and pairing it with one of these things is easily the smartest decision you can make as an ice angler. 

[Gunflint]

i don't know why everyone is up in arms, you didn't actually use the drills, just kind of ran down the concensus pros and cons of each of the drills.  why you bought these 2 and not the other 2. 

for me, i've used all but the strikemaster. my experience is mostly dirty river/farm run off ice. 

nils - cuts fast but is definitlly obviously heavier than the others. 
non center point pistol bit - that thing walked like a mother.  got noticeably duller after a half a season use. 
k drill - starts off slower but as regular blades dull it catches up.  Does use more battery than the others.  5.0AH battery i got about 1000" of ice out of it.  same gun same charged battery, we got about 1250" of ice out of it.   

really the k drill is just a different animal than the other 2 lite flight augers. 

for the average angler who just gets out on the weekend and drills 10-20 holes, find the best price and you'll be happy.   using a good drill you got sitting in the workshop/garage and pairing it with one of these things is easily the smartest decision you can make as an ice angler.

Like I said earlier, there are many good manufacturers of battery-drill compatible augers. There are several good battery-powered drill manufacturers. Many good options at very good price points compared to the past.

[BaitBucket]

What kills me is that most of these augers all cut about the same. One may be a second or two faster than others but its nothing noticeable.

The big selling point on these is supposedly their weight.. Which may not be as light as many of you think..

The 6" Kdrill weighs in at around 4lb 5oz..$239
The 6" Pistol bit is around 3lb 2oz..$180
The 6" Lite Flite is right around 4lb 4oz.. $180

My 6" 50$ Mora is right at about 4lb 4oz...And they can be found used for about 20$.. A spare set of blades will run you around 15-20$ as well.