Ice auger blades are a vital piece of every ice auger. The blades are the sharp pieces of metal that cut into the ice, so without blades your auger will be totally useless. When you buy an ice auger, it will come with blades attached. With use, however, your blades will wear down, creating a need for replacement blades or sharpening.
Learn more about ice auger blades to help guide your purchase, and check out upkeep tips to keep your auger blades sharp so that you can efficiently carve through the ice.
Types of Auger Blades
There are different types of blades for ice augers, and your ice fishing style may affect which blade is best for you. Each manufacturer has different blades for their augers, but there are two primary styles: shaving blades and chipper blades.
Shaving Blades
Shaving blades have a smooth, sharp edge. They cut through ice quickly, but are less durable than chipper style blades. This style of ice auger blade is best for cutting lots of holes quickly, but works best on fresh ice. They won’t work as well when re-opening old holes or cutting through dirty ice.
Chipper Blades
Chipper blades have serrated teeth to cut through tough ice. These sharp, tough blades are great at cutting through ice, but aren’t as fast as shaving blades. They do a better job at cutting through rough or dirty ice, however, and are typically more durable than shaving blades.
How To Choose an Ice Auger Blade
If you need to replace your ice auger blades, look no further. FISH307 provides a variety of ice auger blades, so you can find the right blade for your auger. Be sure to consider the following factors when buying replacement blades.
Manufacturer and Brand
Many ice augers only fit blades from the same manufacturers. Before you buy any replacement parts for your ice auger, be sure that those parts can fit with your auger. If the manufacturer of your ice auger makes replacement blades, it’s probably your best bet to use the brand’s corresponding auger blades.
Style
As mentioned above, there are different types of ice auger blades. The two main styles are shaving blades and chipper blades. Shaving blades are faster, and work best on clean, fresh ice. Chipping blades are not as quick, but work better on rough, dirty ice. Shaving blades tend to wear down faster than chipping blades. Consider where you’re fishing and the quality of the ice, as well as how many holes you need to drill.
Size
The size of your auger blades will determine the size of your ice fishing hole. Most auger blades range in size from about 4 inches to 10 inches, with a standard size of 8 inches. Consider what size you need when purchasing blades. If you’re targeting bigger fish, like northern pike or big walleye, opt for a larger blade size so your catch can fit through the hole.
How Often Should You Replace Ice Auger Blades?
How often you replace your auger blades depends largely on your use. If you go ice fishing very frequently and drill lots of holes when you’re out on the ice, your blades will wear down more quickly. How fast your blades degrade also depends on how you care for them.
If you find that your auger isn’t cutting through the ice as well, or you notice that your blades are dull, damaged, or rusted, it’s probably time for a replacement.
Can Ice Auger Blades Be Sharpened?
Yes! Anyone can sharpen their ice auger blades.
How To Keep Auger Blades Sharp
To cut down on how often you have to sharpen or replace your ice auger blades, take proper care of your ice auger and its blades. Ice auger blade maintenance is pretty basic, but can go a long way.
First, keep your blades clean. After a day of ice fishing, use a damp cloth or even mild soap to clean your blades, and dry them before putting your ice auger away. This will help prevent dirt and debris from wearing down your blades, as well as prevent them from rusting.
When storing your ice auger, use blade covers to protect the blades if possible. Many ice augers come with blade covers, or they can be purchased separately. Be careful about placing your auger near other objects that could rub against the blades, chip, or dull them.
Out on the ice, be gentle with your ice auger. While it is a powerful, usually sturdy piece of equipment, the blades can be dulled or chipped. Don’t drop your auger on the ice, and don’t hit the ice hard when you start drilling.
Find ice auger blade replacements here on FISH307 before ice fishing season begins!
