Saw chain common cutter types used by wood cutter here.

3 most popular

1 . Stihl RS: full chisel, fast cutting in clean wood (no kickback , safety features , yellow link )
RS3 is same cutter, but has a some kickback safety hump on the drive link.
Harder to sharpen, angles are critical to keep it sharp & it's fast cutting performance.
A favorite, little higher cost than the Oregon LGX / LPX


RS3:


Oregon LGX, full chisel fast cutting in clean wood (no kickback , safety features )
LPX is same cutter, but has a some kickback safety hump on the drive link.
Harder to sharpen, angles are critical to keep it sharp & it's fast cutting performance
Easier to file, just a tad softer steel , my experience it dulls a little faster than the RS
A favorite for performance & price



Stihl RM. Semi chisel, stays sharp longer, better in dirty wood, less critical angles to hand file
Yellow link not kick back safety
RM3 is the Safety chain, green link , same cutter



Stihl link: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/
Oregon LGX: LINK
Oregon LPX: LINK
Oregon 3/8" pro chain : LINK

 

Rm is the only one on the list I use a lot of. The rest is RSLK

 

Mainly RM, once in a while I will run some RS.

Gary

 

Chart shows they make RSK in 3/8" x .050
A good chain, but only one size.
I think RSK will be (is being) phased out & RS will be it's replacement. Very very close to the same cutter.

By the chart, for size selection availability , the 2 most used Stihl chains would be RM & RS with RM3 a close 3rd.

 

I figured there would be some interest in the full chisel safety chain.
I run some LPX & it is hard to tell the difference between it & LGX.
Well, until you file the rakers
Stihl pushes RS3 & RM3 for their saws on the chain selection chart for ms 260s & up.
Don't even list the RM or RS except for the 880 & over 30" bars ? (wonder why, Lawyers ? )
link : Selection chart

 

JGX is good chain, too.

 

LGX cutter, Skip chain for the long bar folks, right ?
PNW cutters use it a lot.
Guy sold me Husqy skip with the 359, 20" when new, tried it, didn't lke it.
full comp RS & LPX out performed it hands down in my average 16" huge birch logs. LOL

 

RSK is a nice chain. My dealer stocks a lot of it instead of RS. I've not bought any Oregon chain in 2 years.

 

RM lasts MUCH longer and cuts better for me vs RS.

I run an Oregon bar and chain on my processor and it works well. I don't think Stihl even makes harvester chain? .404 0.080 gauge.

 

Gonna try it next. But got a few LGX to get thru.
I might have some RM in the shop, I'll have to look & give it a try.
Learning a lot about chain, LM supposedly hand sharpens easier too, less critical angle than the RS.

Although a newly sharpened RS, hang on & move your feet

 

I have no idea. I love any sharp yellow chain.

 

Yeah the RS cuts fast when first sharpened but it doesn't last as long. I'm not sure if its from grit blown into the bark, from skidding?

I can run an RM probably 2-3x as long as the RS before pulling it off to sharpen.

 

Stopped by the Stihl shop today to check prices for RS, 20" x 3/8" x .050" x 72dl.
$23, but none on the shelf, they'd have to make it up,
But had lots of RSF (skip ) on the shelf, which seemed weird.
Oregon shop has 20" 72LPX72 for $19.50

No shipping charges so not a bad price. IMO

 

I've started running RS on all my saws. It's worth a little extra imo.

 

+1
Amazing cutting speed ,
hard to run other chain type after running a good sharp RS thru some logs. Hang on!

Want to try cutting a season with LGX, just to compare. Next Oct .
LGX has good fast cutters, some say RS stays a little sharper, will see ? ?

 

I think it's easier to sharpen too

 

I voted for the RS, but I love the RM too....
The majority of my cutting is on the ground so I generally stick with the RM