Skipless or skip-free chains?

Hi, a few years ago, I was cutting up a bunch of maple logs at this dude's place. I was paying by truckload. Dude turned out to do tree work. He owned his own business. At one point, he comes over to me and says "hey, it looks like you know what you're doing. You might want to try a skip free (skipless?) chain". He went on to explain that most chains were made for low kickback/safety but that the others were faster and more aggressive. I have a Stihl MS 251. I called about said chain and they said it wasn't available for this model. OK. Now, I've been thinking of upgrading anyway but if I do, I want something that will take this kind of chain. However, I can't seem to find what I'm looking for (google, Amazon) so, I'm not sure if I'm misremembering what this guy told me or what I'm doing wrong. Any help? TIA!

 

I've never heard of a skip free chain.
Full, skip and half skip.
Any skip chain is hard on a small saw.

 

Keep on keepin on with the chain you have...keep it sharp and it works fine for that saw.

 

Like I said, I may remember it wrong. Basically, what is the more aggressive sort?

 

There's semi-chisel and full chisel. Semi is shaped like a question mark (left most cutter in pic) and full is like a number 7. Semi is best for dirty conditions and is more durable. Full chisel cuts faster but can be more prone to dull if you hit dirt or other non wood debris.

Then there's full comp, semi-skip and full skip:


Chain Sequence Explained


If he was telling you to get full skip, for a short bar... don't listen. That's designed for cutting very large wood with long bars (36" and up).

If you buy Stihl chain, get the yellow stuff, not green. Some chain is designed for the unexperienced homeowner to reduce the chance of kick back in case you try to cut with the wrong spot on the tip. Looks like this:

 

Chisel with no anti kickback
Stihl chain with the yellow link

 

You don't have part numbers do you?

 

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rsf/

I believe this is what I am looking for. If they don't make it for my saw (I don't think they do), I'm upgrading.

 

If you buy a new saw, make sure they put an RS chain on it. As was mentioned earlier full skip isn’t necessary for a more aggressive cut. Full skip chains are nice to have on long bars to reduce time spent sharpening.

 

Nope, just tell the salesman what chain you want on your new Stihl ms400c.

 

How much?

 

They range in price from $860-960

 

I always thought that full house chain was used by people who made their living with a saw. Much less vibration than skip tooth , vibration causes white finger.

 

Full house is an altogether different animal. Used by carvers most.

 

I’m guessing the guy was talking about reduced kickback safety chain vs regular chain since he commented that it looks like you know what your doing

 

What size and gauge chain do you use. I swapped bars on our MS180 so I could use full chisel chain. It came with 16" .043 gauge bar.
Swapped to 14" .050 gauge bar...that little saw will eat some wood.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bOkTmWG1TpQ?feature=share

 

Jeez Jeff...... looking at your artic wear it must have been down to around 60 out.

 

I think it was 58° with a 5mph north wind...
That's my light jacket...
I checked the video, in my defense, it was January...

 

58 in January...kill me.