Oregon, Carlton or Stihl for best return on money spent

I mostly cut my own firewood and do other chores around the farm that require a chainsaw.
The majority of my firewood comes from dead and down trees on my property so I'm leaning toward semi chisel for about all my chains.
Of the three brands above, what do you feel gives the best in value? Here I can almost buy three Oregon chains for the price of two Stihl. I know the Stihl stays sharp longer and should last longer but does it equal out in your experience? I don't cut enough to keep up with how many hours I get out of each brand. The only way I could would be to keep a log book of actual time running in wood which really would prove nothing since I have several different types of oak plus hard pine and the occasional hickory I cut up. So would the fact that one or the other could get damaged by a rock, nail etc and change everything.
As far as sharpening, I hand file and do a light touch up either every tank or every other tank depending on the wood I'm cutting.
Comments and experience welcome.

 

Well.....I'm going to suggest that you buy one of each maybe even a woodland pro. Then ignore the day by day life and just see what goes the distance. That will average out anything except catastrophic damage. For the record I use stihl and find it holds up best and time spent sharpening has a cost that i feel covers at least the price difference.

 

I really like the woodland pro 30 RC from Bailey's. It's full chisel. $17 for a 20" chain. The comparable Stihl rs yellow chain is $32 or so. Basically twice the price. Do I think the Stihl rs chain is better, yes, but not THAT much better.

 

I run Stihl because that's what I was raised with. It good chain and I'm using handle down chain from my dad...some are old new stock from 20 years ago.

I have picked up a few Oregon chains and I've been impressed. I don't run enough to tell the difference. My first couple of runs with Oregon chain seemed like it cut faster than the Stihl. I know the tooth grind is a bit different between the two.

The last 4 new chains I bought were Oregon because of the price point. I got 6 used Stihl chains a couple of weeks ago for $6 a chain. Used till dull then tossed in the trash by a utility company. Kid collected like 20 and was reselling.

 

Well since Oregon bought Carlton out then Blount bought Oregon, one could make the case that Oregon & Carlton are the same chain.

That being said Carlton has become my favorite for price & durability. It seems to me that semi-chisel is higher priced than full chisel at least in the prices I have seen for Carlton chain. Carlton 84dl fc 3/8” Carlton chains can be had for $14-16 depending on the vendor, 60dl fc 3/8” for $10.

I just bought a 100’ roll of Carlton 3/8” FC chain for $315 shipped, I couldn’t touch a roll of Stihl for that.

The Oregon I have ran stretches something terrible plus it’s durability hasn’t been great in my experience. Carlton & Stihl are on the same level as far as stretch & durability.

I bought some Oregon DuraCut chains, they were about $30 a whack for 66 dl semi chisel & not worth the money.

I run semi chisel on my pole saw & 2511T but full chisel on all my other saws. Full chisel is just faster cutting & easier to sharpen. In my opinion.

 

I've been using the Woodland Pro as well for 10 years, maybe more, and no complaints but I haven't compared it to anything else. Now have a couple of rolls of Husky X-cut (.325 and .375) but haven't used any of it yet.

 

JimBear
I was looking at getting some Duracut...might research a bit more before I try it based on your experience.

My Oregon chain does seem to stretch more than Stihl.... especially the first tank or two.

 

Yes. When you have to scrap a newish Stihl chain from rocking it, it can be very painful. I've been there too all often. Oregon and Carlton are very good chains and will be less painful if you happen to destroy one prematurely.

 

Who makes the Husqvarna x- cut chain? I've yet to give it try. I think stihl chain holds an edge better than Oregon, but the Oregon chain is easier to hand file. I don't buy stihl chains anymore because the internet has too many great deals on Oregon chain.

 

I believe I read somewhere that Husky was manufacturing their own chain with this stuff.

 

Mike I saw that Messicks is doing a buy 2 get one on the stihl chains this month. Not sure if their prices are a tad higher on than other dealers.

 

Not exactly what you are asking . I’ve used all the brands you named . For the best bang for the buck , woodland pro ( carlton ) . Stihl is probably the best as to quality , but costs more than it’s worth for that increase . I’ve just started using Archer chain . So far ,it cuts very well ,does stretch any more that other chains when new , inexpensive . It’s well worth looking at . Archer plus is where I get mine .

 

I'm told Husqvarna is making it themselves in Sweden. HL Supply had a sale so got the two 100' rolls for $300 each including shipping. A friend did make some up, but mine are still in the boxes. He has used it and said it kicked his Oregon chains butt and I will love it. My new 550xpg also came with a loop but that is still new in the box.

 

Interesting site

 

Thanks for thinking of me. I saw that too. They're only about 20 min away. However, my local small engine shop 10 minutes away does the same all the time.

 

archer is made in china and from what I have read, you may not like it for long.
I like project farm.. great channel

 

Mine does all the time too. I went to mine yesterday and bought 3 at the but 2 get 1 free deal. Got 10% off on top of that for their customer appreciation days sale. My dealer was a little over a dollar cheaper on a 3 pack of files compared to Messicks.

 

In the Pines , what have you read ? I haven’t heard much bad about it . TIA for sharing your source .

 

soft metal, doesn't stay sharp as long, requires more frequent sharpening vs other chains.

 

I used to get woodland pro, when they were cheap. Now they’re the same price as I can get stihl, and I don’t have shipping.