When chainsaws were in the early stages of development, a number of different saw chain designs were also tried. Some cutters were based on manual crosscut saws, called 'scratcher chain', which was common until the forerunner of 'modern' saw chain was patented by Joseph B. Cox, the founder of Oregon Chain, around 1946.
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/scratcher-chain.271236/
Things that we take for granted, such as drive links running in a groove of the guide bar, were not standard. Some chains straddled a solid bar, possibly due to the difficulty or cost of cutting a groove all the way around a solid piece of metal.
A member on another site very generously shared with me a loop of straddle chain, which is different from our conventional chain in other ways as well. I don't know if the drive links meshed with the drive sprocket along their sides, or if those recessed cut-outs at the bottom played a role .
With the 'drive links' on the outside, it has 2 different 'tie straps' on the inside, including a form of bumper link (reduced kickback?). Also, it uses straight gauge rivets.
What is also interesting is that most straddle chain (as I understand it) was made very early on, when scratcher tooth chains were used. This loop has chipper teeth.
Philbert
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/scratcher-chain.271236/
Things that we take for granted, such as drive links running in a groove of the guide bar, were not standard. Some chains straddled a solid bar, possibly due to the difficulty or cost of cutting a groove all the way around a solid piece of metal.
A member on another site very generously shared with me a loop of straddle chain, which is different from our conventional chain in other ways as well. I don't know if the drive links meshed with the drive sprocket along their sides, or if those recessed cut-outs at the bottom played a role .
With the 'drive links' on the outside, it has 2 different 'tie straps' on the inside, including a form of bumper link (reduced kickback?). Also, it uses straight gauge rivets.
What is also interesting is that most straddle chain (as I understand it) was made very early on, when scratcher tooth chains were used. This loop has chipper teeth.
Philbert