What Brand/Type chain should I buy?

[ultrarunner]

I cut exclusively Oak and Monterey Pine with my Stihl MS250 saws...

Always buy Stihl Chain and have never tried any others.

Anyone have a favority Brand/Style for Chain?

 

[LD1]

If you are used to sthil chain, everything else will be a disappointment IMO. There are other good ones that come close, and hard to tell a difference, but just not quite as good.

Why are you looking to change?

 

[TomSeller]

I cut exclusively Oak and Monterey Pine with my Stihl MS250 saws...

Always buy Stihl Chain and have never tried any others.

Anyone have a favority Brand/Style for Chain?

A few years ago I had the opportunity to tour the Carlton and Oregon saw chain manufacturing lines in Portland, OR courtesy the plant managers (they are about 5 miles apart and both are part of Blount). I asked who makes the best saw chain and I was told Stihl does because of the additional chrome they use. Not that Oregon is a bad chain. Carlton is a small step behind Oregon.

 

[LD1]

I too have heard several times that srihl uses more chrome. But I have no way of testing it other than in the field. And St IHL does last longer and is noticabally harder chain when hand filed. And I'd rate the Oregon chain with the blue cutters second. I didn't like the one Carlton I tried. Cutters filed like butter and and dulled quicker. Never tried Windsor. And don't like woodland pro either. Their cutters aren't as soft as the Carlton I had, but not as good as blue Oregon or Stihl either. And I don't like that they come sharpened to 35* angles.

So I stick with Stihl. And the local dealer charges $1 per bar inch. So my biggest saw (24" bar) only cost me $24 for a loop. Other local places charge similar for different brands. And if I order online, shipping eats up any savings. So since all my options cost roughly the same. I go for quality.

 

[HillStreet]

I use only Stihl chains. Just bought a 20 inch .325 for about $24. I paid that or more 15 years ago.

 

[xyz123]

025 250 saw with 325. I like stihl RSC RS

 

[Ed of all trades]

I logged on and off for years and found that laser brand better than Stihl and Oregon. Stihl may have improved In the last few years but I like Laser.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm asking because even with a new chain my saws never cut like they do on TV ;-)

Years ago, a logger friend of my Dad let me try a few cuts with his saw and the blade just sliced through 14 to 16" rounds like butter in slow motion... and boy did the chips fly!

I remember being told to let the saw do the work... seems when I'm clearing the dead pine I'm always working the saw to cut faster...

All of my experience is for personal use around my place and helping around the family homestead...

 

[Bigfoot62]

If you are used to sthil chain, everything else will be a disappointment IMO. There are other good ones that come close, and hard to tell a difference, but just not quite as good.

^ what he said.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I run stihl chains. When getting sharpened for the first time I get the drag link filed a little. Cuts faster but higher chance for kick back.

Brett