Well designed/built two cycle engines are mechanical marvels. Power to weight ratio is unequalled. Simplicity and reliability are also their strong suits.
Let's not forget that the design has been around for a very long time, has endured numerous decades of straight 30 weight auto oil mixed as high as 16:1 or more as it's source of lubrication. As we all know, today's conventional two cycle oil is considerably better than the old 30W of years gone by. Engine performance has also kept pace with the times and puts more demand on oil.
I agree that good oil is better for an engine than lesser quality oils. However, there is a cost ceiling associated to that line of thought.
Considering that two cycle oil does not stay in the engine as it does in a four cycle engine, long duration service is not a necessary requirement. The ability to handle high temperatures is a benefit but let's not forget that on every stroke of a two cycle engines, a fresh charge of cool fresh air is assisting in keeping internal temperatures under control.
Accordingly, there isn't a necessity for the use of synthetic oil in a chainsaw being used in normal wood cutting service regardless of how hot it is that day or how long the saw is run. The engine is built to handle it.
I own a 1984 Jred 630, a 1985 Jred 670, and a 2007 Echo CS346. All bought new. I also own over 30 other pieces of two cycle powered OPE, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Some of these machines are 40 years old or more. All have seen plenty of service, some of it very hard. I'm presently experimenting on/torturing several Tecumseh two cycle powered single stage snowblowers. In stock configuration, they're set to run at less than 4000 rpm. I'm running them at 6000 to 6500. One of the blowers is over 15 years old and has seen enough use to break it's engine mount. I repaired the mount and use that machine as my primary snow blower and we see a lot of snow here. That machine is flogged mercilessly and just keeps on keeping on.
From my extensive experience I've found absolutely no need to use synthetic oil. The above mentioned machines have never seen anything but a decent grade of two cycle oil. As a rule, I buy Canadian Tire brand Motomaster two cycle oil in 5 liter jugs. Naysayers and boutique oil advocates can scoff all they want. I know better because that's all I've used for over 30 years. I have never burned out or damaged a two cycle engine on anything I've owned. If a person has the basic ability to adjust the carburetor correctly to prevent a lean conditon, there's very little possibility that they will experience a cylinder/piston lubrication failure using a decent conventional oil.
Bottom line is that there is no harm in using a synthetic oil. There's also no harm in using a good grade conventional oil. If you have no objection to being bent over the barrel to pay the price of expensive synthtic oil, have at it. If you're unwilling to take a hosing on synthetic oil, you can rest comfortably knowing your saw will last just as long using any decent grade conventional oil.
