Chainsaw selection

[Kernal1984]

Decided on the 261.

Should i get a 16 and 20 inch bar or just get an 18 and stick with one bar length to simplify things

 

[nmurph]

I would get an 18" bar with .325 Stihl chain. I prefer RSC (chisel) as it cuts faster. This is the best chain unless you are cutting dirty wood. Then RMC (semi-chisel) willl stay sharper longer but not cut quite as fast.

 

[Hedgerow]

Decided on the 261.

Should i get a 16 and 20 inch bar or just get an 18 and stick with one bar length to simplify things

If the saw is for disaster relief purposes, yes, get 2 bars and spare chains... I agree with Nmurph that chisel cuts a bit faster, but in this instance, semi-chisel will be the better route...

 

[jus2fat]

I would get a 16" and a 20"..(or 18")

Use the 16" for bucking and the 20"..(or 18") for limbing..(save you some leaning over).

The 20" will also do well in soft wood like pine.

This would also give you a 2nd bar and chain in case you get pinched and stuck.

The 18" bar is what I use...but I always have several saws with me..!!

J2F

 

[bigredd]

Make sure to get a Stihl chain sharpening kit with a few extra files and semi-chisel chains. Dirty wood will dull a chain in a few seconds and possibly destroy your saw if not attended too.