Full skip vs. semi skip

Semi-skip is a great way to utilize high HP saws while still realizing the benefit of a skip pattern in big wood. Chip clogging doesn't occur with just two teeth in a row when it becomes a problem on full-comp setups. I also like that it places two opposing cutters close to each other on the chain. This is a slight advantage if the bar groove isn't as tight as it used to be... Probably reduces vibration more than anything but it's def not a "wow" difference.

On round vs square, round is generally more consistent out of the box than square, but when square is right, it's noticeably better than round. Round chisel is quite forgiving of angles not being perfect, where as square really needs that leading corner to be close to perfect in order to cut optimally. You could hand me an angle grinder and blindfold me, and I think I could get semi-chisel round to cut still. I did a couple YT videos on square chain years ago, they aren't fancy or perfect, but one showed an Oregon square chain vs a Stihl square chain, and it was a better demonstration of how much better square chisel is when the geometry is correct than it was Stihl vs Oregon chain brands.

My MMWS MS441CM had no trouble pulling a 32" full-comp RS setup in Sugar Maple. (That's on YT too, ) I would expect a 500i or similar to do just as well.