Just looking for opinions on Eskimo brand augers. They are $100 cheaper than any other augers up here in Canada. I can get a 2hp 8" Eskimo for $289 can. Thanks

I purchased the 10" Eskimo 51.7cc Shark Ice Auger for about $490 up at Cabelas last year. I was told by a very reputable person that worked there and I trust to buy the Eskimo over the Strikemaster. I have had no major problems with it. I had to adjust for a lower idle, but other than that, outta the package and into the ice. The curved blades I was told cut better that the straight blades. With it having some weight to it, I acually have to lift up slightyly on it so it will cut faster, no need to lay on it to cut through the ice. We had lakes with about 24 inches of ice, and it cut through them all day, no problem...

I used a friends 2 hp 8 inch eskimo all last winter. Can't remember the model (it's red). Starting out the season his blades were bad after a couple of years use. The curved ones. Well, we wanted to hit the ice one day, but couldn't get eskimo blades, so he bought replacement blades for a lazer hand auger. They fit on just fine, and worked better than ever for the whole season. The auger wasn't the fastest in the world, but it always fired up and did the job just fine on N. Mich ice. And we had a lot of ice last year.

I wound up breaking down myself and bought a 10 inch Jiffy at the end of season. It workes fantastic, but it is big and heavy. Truth is, if I had my friends eskimo and my jiffy both, I'd probably use the eskimo 70% of the time.

For $289 CAN I say go for it. I'd think you could always sell it for that if you decide you need to upgrade.

I will agree with JJ Mac - buying the Lazer blades make a world of difference...