I shifted from a 16'' bar to a 20'' for limbing and trimming, and what a difference it made. You don't have to bend as much, you can reach farther without throwing yourself off balance.....it's all good.
Sometimes 4'' is a lot and sometimes it isn't...
I had the same experience going from 12" to 18", really liked it better. But why not buy a shorter bar and chain and at least try it out? Different strokes, you know... I still keep the solid 13" that came with the saw around. I must say that the 18" sprocket tip does make a difference in weight, but more importantly it shifted the balance of the saw.
People who learn the trade over here always learn to do everything with a 12 or 13" bar, because it is safer that way - smaller, lighter and more controllable. Remember, there are also precious few mammoth trees here. If you are used to the saw, I'd say the learning curve isn't very steep (or whatever one says here?!).
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