Which chain should I buy?… a review.

This came across my YouTube feed this morning…

he’s got some really good videos. Even one on penetrating fluids.

 

You can learn quite a bit from Project Farm. Definitely like to learn from his videos.

I had Stihl RS chains and just ordered some Oregon EXL for the 3/8" .050" saws and LGX for the two .325" pitch .063" saws.

The Oregon chains are significantly cheaper and probably better value since what I've seen of them they perform just as well if not better than the Stihl chains.

 

At almost half the price, I can deal with the slight cutting time difference.

 

Ivee switched to Oregon solely based on price. Stihl, whom I support only because I like to support my local dealer, is not worth the premium. Both make chips exactly the same.

 

A 3/8 84 drive link .050 Chain at my Stihl dealer is $45 before tax. If I hit a rock or a wreck the chain I am out over 50 bucks. Stahls or loggerchain sell Oregon chain for less than half.

 

Chain is one of those things where you get what you pay for. Stihl chain might be expensive but the cutters are usually a tick longer and they stay sharp longer than most. The new Husky chain and Oregon EXL are harder than the older Oregon LGX and are more similar to Stihl chain in both price and quality. If you’re always on the dogs prying the chain through the cut then it doesn’t matter as much.

 

Haven't use Stihl. Been using Woodland Pro but got a good deal on a few rolls of X-Cut so using that. Seems to work well and last okay.

 

I started my career using Oregon because that’s what the boss bought. Once that boss was gone I got to use Stihl and stayed with it because it held an edge noticeably longer. Sharpening Oregon was like mush compared to stihl chain. I didn’t try Oregon again until I got some c83 xcut. It is pretty close in hardness and edge longevity to stihl. It’s personal preference, but why buy a f250 powerstroke and put chaoyang at’s on it.
In a professional setting the Stihl rs is worth it. For a dirty log cutter the rs is worth it. In a clean forest setting or other sterile environment maybe it doesn’t matter as much.

 

C83 is actually Husky’s own chain. Oregon isn’t making the chain for them any longer. Very good stuff indeed

 

This ^ ^ ^
I haven't checked lately, but our local dealer used to have a 2 for 1 deal on Stihl chain...it cost just a bit more for 2 chains there as buying 1 somewhere else. I imagine the last 2 years has that all up too...

 

I use Stihl RS (full chisel) chain for the most part. Maybe pricier but holds an edge better. I can usually find it rather cheap on ebay.

 

Absolutely. We've been sharing his vids on here for a while. Very methodical with his process.

 

I picked up some EXL loops for almost or better than 1/2 of what a comparable loop of Stihl would run.

 

Saw chain...... it's a personal preference. Kinda like two stroke oil.

 

Here’s some Carlton full chisel chains with good prices
A1 is 3/8” x .050”