In general, shaver blades cut faster on clean, while chipper blades are more durable and better at handling old, refrozen, or gritty.
We’ll break down the design differences, how they cut, and when to use each type – plus some blade/auger recommendations for every situation.
When you look at ice-auger bits, you’ll notice two blade styles: chipper blades (serrated, like little chisels) and shaver (or “laser”) blades (curved, razor-sharp edges). Shaver blades slice ice in thin layers, while chipper blades smash and crush it. Each style has its own advantages.
Blade Design: Shaver (Laser) vs. Chipper Blades
Shaver (or laser) blades are typically two thin, curved pieces of steel with a smooth, razor-sharp edge. They often have a spiral or twisted shape that slices ice layer-by-layer. Because the edges are so sharp, shaver blades let the auger “fall” through the ice with very little downward push.
They’re like the sports cars of auger blades: extremely fast on fresh ice, but the fine edges can dull if you hit sand or debris. (When shaver blades do dull, they usually need professional sharpening or replacement – they’re hard to re-file at home.)
Chipper blades look very different. A chipper bit is usually a single ring or plate with serrated teeth attached – almost like a drill bit with a toothed edge. These teeth bash and break the ice as you drill. The action is more like chiseling: each tooth pulverizes ice and chunks it out, which means chipper bits handle old, uneven, or sandy ice very well.
They’re not as quick as shavers on new ice, but their strength is that they stay sharp longer and will even cut when lightly dull. You can re-sharpen chipper teeth with a file (or buy replacement chipper blades), and they’re almost “bullet-proof” against bumps and debris.
Cutting Action and Speed
Shaver blades essentially slice the ice with each turn. This means they do most of the work for you: the cutting head naturally pulls itself deeper, and you don’t need to push down hard. Curved “laser” blades drive the auger downward with each rotation, so you rarely have to lean on it.
In practice, this makes drilling very fast on fresh, clean ice, especially with battery or electric augers. Anglers often describe shaver blades as the “sports car” of ice drilling – quick and efficient.
By contrast, chipper blades bite slower and require more effort. The serrated teeth grab the ice, and you usually have to push down on the auger handles to keep the cut going. Because each tooth is digging and breaking ice chunks, drilling feels slower and you’ll get more vibration/feedback in the auger.
In return, that cutting style lets you chew through refrozen old holes and sand-laden ice that would jam a shaver. In short, shavers give you speed and ease; chippers trade a bit of speed for brute strength and durability.
Power vs. Hand Augers: Torque and Effort
Gas and propane augers put out much more torque than a drill or a human can, so they can spin big chipper blades easily. As Joel Nelson notes, chipper blades “require torque and crushing force” and so they often come on gas-powered augers.
If you’re drilling in very thick or heavy ice with a gas auger, a chipper blade is common – the engine can handle the drag. (That heavy-duty gear-box on a chipper auger—often a 12:1 or 17:1 gear ratio—matches the single tooth per revolution, giving maximum force to each serrated bite.)
On the other hand, cordless drills and hand augers have much less power. Hand-crank augers (like the classic Mora auger) almost always use flat or shaver-style blades – the sharp edges make it possible to cut ice by elbow power alone.
Likewise, modern drill-adapter systems (Clam Drill Plate, K-Drill/RAZR) typically use curved razor blades designed for drill speed.
These blades slice clean ice quickly without needing much downward force. The image above shows a drill-powered Clam auger: notice the smooth, double-blade design. That kind of setup lets your drill (and you) do the hole quickly without strain.
Bottom line: If you’re using an electric or drill auger, you’ll usually get best performance from a shaver-style blade (maximizing speed and battery life). If you’re on a gas auger (or want the option to punch into frozen holes), the chipper blade’s extra bite can be worth the effort.
When to Use Each Blade (Use-Case Guide)
- Fresh, clean ice (early or mid-season): Shaver blades shine on new, clear ice. They rip through layers quickly, so if you plan to drill a lot of holes (e.g. moving from spot to spot), a shaver or flat blade will be your fastest option.
- Old or refrozen holes: Chipper blades excel at re-opening frozen holes. They pulverize any ice chunk or lip at the bottom without bouncing out. If you need to deepen or clean out an old hole that’s iced over, the brute force of a chipper makes it easy.
- Windblown/slushy (dirty) ice: Go chipper. Sand, grit, or snow packed in the ice can quickly dull a fine shaver edge. Chipper teeth chew through grit without losing bite. In western lakes, where ice often has a dirty, snowed-on layer, anglers almost always use chipper blades.
- Very thick ice (deep holes): If you have a gas auger and monster ice, chipper teeth will eventually get the job done – you just need the power. But if you’re using a drill auger or want faster drilling, a shaver blade can still cut more holes quicker; just be ready for slower advance or occasional stalling in super-thick ice.
- Shallow, small-hole fishing (panfish): A shaver or flat blade is usually fine (and easy) here. You’ll be drilling tiny holes in soft ice, so the speed advantage is helpful.
- Drilling speed (many holes vs. one tough hole): If your day is hole-hopping (drill 30+ holes in clean ice), a shaver blade and light electric auger is ideal. If you’re drilling one or two big holes in sketchy ice, a chipper blade and gas auger may be safer.
- Hand-crank or ultra-light drills: These need low resistance – use a 3- or 4-blade sharpenable (shaver-style) bit. Trying to spin a chipper with a hand auger is very hard work.
- Drill-powered vs. gas: Drill-powered augers pair best with shaver blades. Gas augers can pair with either, but chipper fits their higher torque. In general, a 40V electric auger with a shaver blade will cut nearly as fast as gas in typical ice conditions.
Tips for Beginners vs Experienced Anglers
If you’re new to ice fishing, don’t be intimidated by blade choices. For most beginners, a shaver-style blade is a safe bet: it drills holes quickly with less physical effort. For example, many new anglers start with a Mora hand auger (4 sharp blades) or a drill-bit auger with replaceable curved blades. Just remember those blades do dull faster: keep them sharp or have spares.
Experienced anglers often switch blades to match conditions. A veteran who fishes the same spot all season might switch from shaver blades in November (fast holes in new ice) to chipper blades by spring (big holes through slush and refrozen ice).
Likewise, someone who re-drills old holes frequently will almost always carry a chipper set. Ultimately, try both if you can: drill a few holes with a shaver blade, then try the same ice with a chipper. You’ll feel the difference in effort and hole quality right away.
A few practical pointers: always keep blades sharp regardless of type. And cover your blades when carrying the auger! New anglers often underestimate how sharp these things are. Safety and maintenance (cleaning off ice/snow after use) will keep blades cutting longer.
Conclusion
In simple terms, use shaver blades for speed on clean ice and chipper blades for brute force on tough ice. Power drill/hand augers usually favor shavers (easy cutting with low power), while gas augers pair well with chippers.
Match your blade to the ice and your gear – and you’ll drill holes effortlessly all winter!
