Chainsaw chains

[Patrolman1981]

I have cut wood for 15 years. I have a Stihl Farmboss and cut enough wood to heat my home and my parents home as well. I have always used a standard Stihl chain, but wondered is there something better? I am looking for the best chains out there. Please give me some opinions on what is the best for all round cutting, trimming, and cutting logs 12" to 24" in diameter.

 

[rhinoabe]

My Stihl saw came with a Oregon chain on it from the Stihl dealer, so all i have ever used is Oregon chains.

 

[Yeah]

I have never been able to tell much difference in longevity between Stihl and Orgeon chains. Don't remember having used any other makes.

I do prefer a skip pattern chain, like Stihl's RSF and RSLF. They help keep the saw's speed up around its torque peak.

If you know how to run a saw safely, avoid anything labeled 'low kickback' or 'compliance'...too slow.

 

[mjones]

i like the full chisel yellow stihl chains i think 26 rsc thats all i buy now forget the green low kickback chains

 

[42769vette]

i cant tell the diffrence as long as they are not safty chains.

 

[kwatters]

stihl chains all the way.

 

[tmkr]

full chisel cuts fastest,butnot very resistant to accidents,chain in dirt ect.semi chisel is a bit more durable.

 

[Bucky623]

I like using the semi chisel because they are ease to maintain and cut good.

 

[Dss21]

+1 semi chisel Cuts plenty fast enough and holds its edge better than full chisel.

 

[jrainw]

Full chisel skip tooth, kickback can be more aggressive but it cuts fast and takes alot less time to sharpen.

 

[jbell_64]

semi chisel full skip oregon chain is my preference.

 

[ghitch75]

i run full semi-chisel on bars 24" and under....skip on everything over 24"....

 

[one more]

I prefer Stihl but over the years have run them all. Carlton, Windsor, Oregon, Homelite (years ago on my XL12's-more then likely Oregon with a H on it?)
The yellow code Stihl chains will cut faster. I like to run Full Chisel in the summer and semi-chisel in the winter. With snow on the ground it can be a little harder to stay out of the dirt when you can not see it.
And like the guys have all ready said, running skip will keep your RPM's up where you want them.
I am with ghitch75 here skip on the longer bars for sure.

one more

 

[Patrolman1981]

ok thanks for the advice. I will be buying a couple new chains Monday.

 

[jbell_64]

And like the guys have all ready said, running skip will keep your RPM's up where you want them.

It is also half the teeth to sharpen when you rock it or find some wire/a nail in a tree

 

[45-70]

I use Baileys Woodland Pro 30RC full chisel and have had good results with my 361C. A 100' bulk roll runs $309.99

WoodlandPro 30RC

 

[Zoub]

On a similar note, we had this same conversation about chains recently at our local Stihl shop. Even with a new chain, my friends saw was just not running right. We asked, there has to be a better chain then the one he had just bought. My Stihl has no issues.

As it turns out the chain was not the problem.

The new trick we learned was every time you sharpen your chain, flip your bar. His saw is maybe 15 years old? It has seen plenty of use and been pushed to its limits. Over time, the bar wears unevenly to one side so you start to get a tilt with your chain. There comes a point were it is just too much tilt.

Neither of us had ever heard of this but we are believers now.