30+ years of cutting and I finally wore out a chain, right down to the witness marks on the top strap. I don't usually change chains in the field, I sharpen right on the bar and this one was the original chain that came with the saw (Dolmar PS 421). This chain has probably cut its' way through an estimated 80-100 cords of hardwood firewood, with a sharpening after every two to three tanks of gas. It's an Oregon 20BPX-66 and it is now a wall ornament (or for emergencies - or maybe cutting stumps out of the ground). In the past I've either changed saws or chains often enough that the chains wouldn't wear long enough before I got rid of the saw. Normally I would replace it with a "yellow" chain (such as Oregon LPX or Woodland Pro 20RC), but I am going to be starting my 13-y.o. son out this spring on some basic chainsaw use, so I want to stick with the low-kickback chain. I'll leave the aggressive stuff on my PS-6400.
I've gone through a succession of different saws and bars over the past 30 years and none of them shared the same chain gauge, pitch and length, so the used chains would be given away with the used saws. This particular chain has only been in use for about 5 years, I think, but long enough to wear it out. I could probably get a couple more cords out of it, but I 'rocked' it pretty badly a few weeks ago trying to cut a stump flush, and sharpening it one last time didn't take. It was cutting a wicked curve, enough to bind the bar in 4" diameter wood. It was time for retirement.
Lol, I was thinking about starting a thread asking how long do your chain last. 80-100 cords is really good. That says a lot about how you run your saw. My great Uncle had a Stihl 031 that he wore out 27 or 29 chains cutting pulp wood with and it was still running good when he sold it to his brother, who never paid him for it.
