What types of chainsaw chains are there
Ava White
Updated on March 29, 2026
Chainsaw chains come in three main varieties. They come in full chisel, semi chisel and low profile chains, with each being used for different tasks. The chisel refers to how the teeth are cast on the chain itself – which then determines how the chain cuts through the wood.
How many types of chainsaw chains are there?
Chainsaw chains come in three main varieties. They come in full chisel, semi chisel and low profile chains, with each being used for different tasks. The chisel refers to how the teeth are cast on the chain itself – which then determines how the chain cuts through the wood.
What is the most aggressive chainsaw chain?
404″ chainsaw pitch is the most aggressive chainsaw chain pitch for professional arborists.
What is the most common chainsaw chain?
Most saws use 0.325″, 3/8″, or 0.404″ pitch, with 1/4″ less common. Most consumer saws use a type of 3/8″ chain called “low profile”. We call it Picco. A few older saws use 1/2″ pitch chain.What is the difference between .325 and 3/8 chain?
The three-eighths chain is a beefier saw and better suited to one that has more horsepower. It has larger teeth and a heavier duty chain, so it requires more horsepower to operate correctly. … 325-inch chain for those saws between 40 and 60 cc.
Which chainsaw chain is best?
- Oregon S62 AdvanceCut 18-Inch Chainsaw. …
- Outdoor Stihl Chainsaw Chain. …
- Husqvarna 531300439 18-Inch Pixel Saw Chain. …
- SUNGATOR 16-Inch Chainsaw Chain. …
- AR-Pro Chainsaw Chain. …
- Replacement Oregon chain. …
- Greenworks 8-Inch Replacement Pole Saw Chain.
What chain do loggers use?
The Stihl 500i is generally seen as the ultimate logging chainsaw. It is Stihl’s top-of-the-line professional chainsaw and has been designed and built especially for the logging industry and professional arborists.
What is the advantage of a skip tooth chain?
A skip chain has fewer cutting teeth than a conventional chain which means it won’t be dragging as many teeth through the wood you’re cutting. Less drag on the chain means less power is needed to cut through the log. That means the motor on your saw runs faster which keeps it in a more efficient power curve.How do I know what size my chainsaw chain is?
The larger the pitch will mean the higher the cutting teeth will be. The higher the teeth will therefore mean the larger the file will need to be. If you do not know your chainsaw pitch you can gauge it by measuring the distance between three rivets.
What is full chisel chainsaw chain?A full chisel chain is designed for the fast cutting action. In comparison to the semi-chisel chain, this chain has square-cornered teeth which makes it more aggressive when cutting.
Article first time published onWhat is the fastest cutting chain?
A full chisel chain is a chain with square cornered teeth, and they’re known for being the fastest cutting blade shape available.
What chainsaw chains do professional loggers use?
Full-chisel teeth chains are usually used by professionals on large saws. Semi-chisel teeth are rounded, so the risk of kickback is less, and they stay sharper longer. Semi-chisel teeth cut slower but are a better choice in dirty wood than full chisel.
Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?
If your chain dulls quickly, then it could be a couple of things. Check your user’s manual to ensure that you are using the right sized file for your chain. Alternatively, you could be applying too much pressure when you file. This will create cutting edges that are too thin and dull quickly.
What is difference between full chisel and semi-chisel chain?
The sharp corner of the full chisel cutters split wood fibers easily and provides the fastest, most efficient cutting in clean softwood. The corner of the cutters on a semi-chisel saw chain are slightly rounded.
What is Picco chain?
STIHL PICCO™ Micro™ 3 chain is a low-kickback, narrow kerf, smooth-cutting and low-profile chain ideal for small to mid-sized chainsaws with between 1.5 kW (2.0 bhp) and 1.9 kW (2.5 bhp). It performs equally well as compared to the PMM3 chain, with the only difference being a slight increase in weight.
Are .325 and 3/8 chains interchangeable?
3/8” and 0.325” chains are NOT interchangeable.
How do I identify my Husqvarna chain?
The model number of a Husqvarna chainsaw is printed on the side of the recoil assembly on the unit(eg. 455, 460, 372 XP). Husqvarna chainsaws also have a small metal plate stamped with the model number, part number, and serial number. The plate is typically located in one of four locations.
What is LP chainsaw chain?
Low profile or “lo pro” chain uses cutters that aren’t as tall as the cutters on standard chainsaw chain. This means that low profile chain makes a shallow cut. The advantage of using low profile chain is that it weighs less than standard chain, which makes it a good fit for low-horsepower saws and electric saws.
What is the lightest most powerful chainsaw?
MS 150 C-E Specifications – Professional UsePOWER SOURCEGasCHAIN OIL CAPACITY5.07 oz.ENGINE POWER1.34 bhpFUEL CAPACITY6.76 oz.
What does 25 mean on chainsaw?
25 = 1/4 mini-pitch .050 gauge. 26 = .404 pitch .058 gauge or 1.5mm. 27= .404 pitch .063 gauge or 1.6mm. 28 = .404 pitch .050 gauge or 1.3mm.
How much does a chain for a chainsaw cost?
Chain TypeDrive linksAverage priceFull Chisel Chain45$1468$1972$20
What size chain do I need?
After a measurement is obtained, its a good idea to opt for a necklace size that is at least the second size up from your neck size. For example, if you have an 18 inch neck, you should probably choose a chain length of 20 inches or more. An 18 inch chain would feel too tight.
What chainsaw chain stays sharp the longest?
325″ Rapid Duro 3 carbide-tipped saw chain stays sharp for at least ten times as long as conventional saw chains, even in extreme conditions. The extra hard cutters won’t go blunt even if they come into contact with the ground and they’re specially designed to handle wood contaminated with cement residues.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw chain?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will make cleaner cuts with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened multiple times without much of a cost.
Are Oregon chains as good as Stihl?
Re: stihl vs oregon chain The Stihl is sharper out of the box and holds the edge longer compared to other chains. But, at 3x the price of the chain at Bailey’s it is not worth it for me, especially after 2-3 sharpenings.
What size file do you need for a 3/8 chain?
Chain PitchFile Diameterin.mm.in.3/8 PMN9.325/321/4 3/8 PM6.35 9.325/320.3258.253/16
Why do loggers run their bars upside down?
Every chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right-side up or upside down. The reason for this is that it allows the user to extend the life of his chainsaw bar by 50%. Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear. … This reduces a chainsaw’s ability to cut accurately.
What does Stihl MS stand for?
Every STIHL chainsaw model name starts with MS, MSA, or MSE. The common part, MS, stands for Motorsäge which is German for chainsaw. MSA indicates that it’s a battery chainsaw and MSE tells us that it’s an electric model.
What is a chipper chain?
Product Details. Chipper-style cutters have fully rounded working corners and side plates for a big aggressive bite, easy sharpening and durable cutting edge. Equal pitch chassis: Tested and proven chassis delivers superior strength and outstanding durability.
Is semi chisel a ripping chain?
A ripping chain is a semi chisel option that’s used on shallow-angle cutters with around 10° cutting angle. It cuts along the wood grain rather than cutting across the pores or veins, which is different from other options available in the market.
What is the number one selling chainsaw?
STIHL are still the number one selling chainsaw brand in the USA. The Stihl 271 Farm Boss is a great saw for the small farm owner, or if you have a larger section of land with mature trees, and you need a reliable saw that can handle big jobs on a regular basis.