I do a fair amount of dropping and cutting clean wood where I will use the square-chisel. The brand new Husky H42 chewed great through some white oak this weekend! But do come across scrounges that have dirt and grime in the bark and hear that will dull full-chisel quite quickly. Thats where I use my cheapy Silver Streak full chisel chain, which I do notice it dulls faster than my H30 semi-chisel on my 450 Rancher. Thinking of purchasing a good semi-chisel once the 2 Silver Streaks I have are roached.
A lot of people have a favorite chain make that starts with S. Frankly I don't care and use what ever the flavor of the month is at my supplier. I seldom use full chisel preferring semi chisel no safety or anti kick back bumpers in it. I cut a lot of big stuff 18" dia is small for me. If your going to be doing a lot of noodling or cutting with the grain then it is worth while to have a couple skip or rip chains on hand. Note: I grind a lot of chains for businesses not many use the pricey stuff about a 50/50 mix between full and semi chisel types. I have to take more off of full chisel when dull because of the wear that the sharp corner takes.
Semi chisel is much better in dirty wood. What cris said about full chisel is true, you tend to take more off each time you sharpen. I have stihl brand .325 full chisel on my 550 rite now, that chain has held an edge very good for me.
Woodland pro ( carlton ) semi chisel is good and inexpensive if you catch a sale and cheap shipping at Bailey's .
You have dificulties to sharpening your chain out in the woods just using one file and nothing else ??
No, I'm fairly good at it but it seems after about 5-6 sharpenings the cutters tend to get a little out of whack and they need to be run through a grinder to get them trued back up and cutting like brand new. I was looking for a semi-chisel for when I'm cutting dirty scrounges and freebies of craigslist so it stays sharper a little better and longer.
I've been using carlton and really like it. use it on my husky 450 (woodland pro 20sc .325- .050) and my 562 (carlton a1ep .375 - .050.). I've been super happy with it and my husky roller guides for filing. have not tried any .325 chisel on the 450 but the 562 came with a loop of Oregon chisel, NOT IMPRESSED. I think my semi cuts almost as fast and will last 3-4x as long in my cutting conditions. -scott
For 3/8 x .058 semi-chisel chain the readily available choices are Oregon 73DP and Carlton A2EP. The A2EP can be also be bought packaged as WoodlandPro 38SC.
I assume you have the Stihl RS or is it RC chain on your 550. Been a long summer, I forget these things. I use the same saw, same chain. Excellent performance and it indeed stays sharper than any other chain I've used contrary to popular opinion. Admittedly I'm not great at sharpening so that plays a role. This year I'll probably try a Stihl semi chisel just to see what the difference is. No more Husky and Oregon for me. Seem to dull and stretch rapidly. The Stihl cuts a wider kerf which I find helpful.
I use Oregon alot because it is easiest for me to get. I do like stihl chain but it is not as accessible the Oregon is easier to sharpen.
