Who Makes the Best Chainsaw Chain?

Who makes the best chainsaw chain?

A good-quality chainsaw is an essential must-have tool for pruning, woodcutting, firewood collection, and hobby activities. Chainsaws effectively help you clear branches, stumps as well as trees that may be standing in the way of your other projects.

Chainsaws are made up of different parts, including a chainsaw chain. The chainsaw chain runs along the guide bar and comes in many sizes and qualities, which can affect your efficiency and safety. Although they may look similar, chainsaw chains are made for different types of wood-cutting work. The pitch, gauge, and number of links determine the chain you need for your chainsaw. This information is normally provided on the side of the guide bar. Your chainsaw chain should be sturdy and strong to allow you to perform the job like a professional.

Here are the Best Chainsaw Chains on the Market.

Who makes the best chainsaw chain?

Husqvarna

Husqvarna Group is a Sweden-based company that has been making outdoor power products like chainsaws, mowers, trimmers, and garden tractors, since 1689. Husqvarna chains are made with advanced grind geometry that guaranteed high speed and sharpness. The low kickback chains are made in a way that ensures high performance.

Stihl

Andreas Stihl AG & Company is a German company specialized in making chainsaws, blowers, trimmers, and their accessories since 1926. It is the only manufacturer of chain saws that makes its own guide bars and chains. They use a patented oilomatic lubricating feature in their chains, whereby every component of the chain is designed in a way that maximizes the use of bar oil. The grooves in the chains are made to channel oil to critical areas that may wear quickly, thus reducing stretching and extend the chain’s life.

Poulan Pro

Poulan Pro, owned by Husqvarna, is affordable and well-performing. They feature almost the same technology as Husqvarna and are perfect for these new users who need a lightweight but powerful chainsaw.

Makita

Makita is the producer of some of the highest quality chainsaws. They are powerful and lightweight for comfortable use. Their accessory prices are quite inexpensive contrasted with the quality raw materials used for it.

Oregon

Oregon is a world-renowned brand that has existed since 1947. Their products include guide bars, saw chains, forestry accessories, sprockets, and outdoor equipment. Their chains have been used as original equipment in many chainsaw brands.

Remington

Remington is owned by MTD products, headquartered in Valley City, Ohio, United States. They have been producing high-quality power equipment since 1921.

See Also

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• Chainsaw Tips for Beginners
• 4 Best Small Gas-Powered Chainsaws
• 9 Best Compact Chainsaws
• 8 Best Lightweight Chainsaws
• 7 Best Cordless Chainsaws with Battery and Charger
• 10 Best Chainsaws for Beginners
• 10 Best Professional Logger Chainsaws
• Best Chainsaws for Home use

Types of Chainsaw Chains

Chainsaw chains are made with drive links and cutters that rotate at high speed around a chainsaw bar to cut wood. The cutters, sharp points, and edges that protrude above the level of the drive links have two blade angles, one along with the top plate of each cutter and the other along the outside top edge.

The cutters feature different blade configurations (chisel angles) which determine how effective the chain cuts in various situations and how safe the chain is to use.

Full chisel – These cutting chains have a 90-degree corner angle along with the top cutter plates, an angle designed to produce top cutting speeds. They are more aggressive and have sharper cutter blade tips compared to other types of chainsaw chains. Full-chisel chains are often used with large, powerful chainsaws, and are ideal for cutting through hardwoods, such as oak and maple.

Full-chisel chains have a setback which is they have an increased risk of kickback, the chainsaw jerking backward violently, which occurs when the tip of the spinning blade touches wood or when the chain itself becomes pinched. For this reason, the chains often come with safety warnings and recommendations that only experienced chainsaw users should use. The chain is also more susceptible to dulling if it comes in contact with dirt.

Semi chisel– The semi-chisel chains feature top plates of the cutters which are rounded along their outer blade edges. This makes the chain slower at cutting than a full-chisel chain, but also less aggressive so there is a reduced risk of kickback. Semi-chisel chains do not dull as quickly as full-chisel chains and are ideal for cutting through both hardwood and softwood logs. They are also better than full-chisel chains for use in dirty conditions.

Micro chisel– Micro-chisel chain is a type of semi-chisel chain, but the rounded corners along the blade edges of the cutters are even smaller than those of a standard semi-chisel chain. These chains are designed to make smooth, precise cuts, which are suitable for tree-trimming since a smooth cut on a tree is less likely to become diseased. They are well-suited for use on softwoods, and although they will also cut through hardwoods, they will cut more slowly than either semi-chisel or full chisel blades.

Just like the semi-chisel chains, micro-chisel chains are safer than full-chisel chains because they are less likely to kick back on the user. They meet ANSI low-kickback standards.

Low profile– Also known as chipper cutters, low-profile chainsaw chains are the most common types of chains and are found installed on most new chainsaws. The chains feature either semi-chisel cutters or micro-chisel cutters. The difference is that the height of the cutters is lower than on regular semi-chisel chains, specifically to reduce kickback.

Low-profile chains are suitable for cutting a variety of both soft and hardwoods but they are slower than other types of chains, and they tend to dull more quickly. Almost all low-profile chainsaw chains meet ANSI low-kickback standards.

FAQs

• Are Oregon chains as good as Stihl?

Although Stihl chain holds their edge a bit longer than Oregon, they are also slightly harder to file. It is hardly noticeable during normal maintenance but obvious during more extended filing.

• What is the most aggressive chainsaw chain?

Stihl chain is slightly more expensive but it is the most aggressive chain commonly available. It is made from the hardest steel hence holds an edge better than any other brand.

• Who makes the best chainsaw in the world?

Our top picks are the Husqvarna and Stihl brands. They are made of high-quality materials and provide superior performance to nearly any other consumer brand on the market.

• What is the fastest cutting chainsaw chain?

Square ground chisel chains such as the Oregon CJ & CK. This chain is sharpened with a square, not round file and is suitable for professionals.

Conclusion

For a good-performing chainsaw, you need a good quality chain. Ensure to purchase a chain that suits your chainsaw as well as your level of expertise to avoid accidents.