WHSH
ArboristSite.com Sponsor
I think I was talking with Ahlborne equipement who sells both Carlton Chain and forester stuff and got this info. The steel that Oregon buys for its chains is soursed from and plant in Buffalo NY. So if its a usa made chain from Oregon/Carlton its the same steel from Buffalo. I have a 100' roll of Stens House brand chain (china) that I have been selling, right along side some woodland int/bailey's/carlton and the rest Carlton bulk. I did this to get a first hand look at China made chain, It sells for less and I tell folks about it. I have sold both brands, home owners, arborists, loggers, processors, and saw geeks. What I have noticed about the China chain is that its is a little bit softer than the Carlton and does not hold an edge in abrasive conditions. The chassis and the drivers hold up very well. If you are running in clean wood, the sharp is not knocked of so easliy, but on the other hand its easier to file back to sharp. So I would say the only difference in is that the China chains last about 20% less due to the softer cutters under abrasive conditions.