I have used Laser Chipper, Semi Chisel, and Chisel Chains (I think someone told me a while back that Windsor made them, but don't quote me), Oregon, Windsor, and I have also used Carlton's
A-1 x 3/8 Pitch x 0.050 Gauge x 60 Links Semi Chisel Chains.
I like how the Carlton Cuts, and keeps an edge a little bit longer, between Sharpenings. I mostly cut Ash, and Soft Maple, that I skid out of the Bush, and they get kind of Dirty, while I skid them out, with my Tractor.
I also found that the Carlton Chains are a little bit cheaper. The last Chains I have ordered are Carlton's A-1 x 3/8 Pitch x 0.050 Gauge x 66 Links Semi Chesil Chains for $16.93 each.
It also depends on what you want the Chains for, what type of wood you are cutting, and the Conditions of the wood you are Cutting. Is it Skidded, or cut where the tree drops. What I like to do, is get the best price, and go from there.
I have used Oregon, Windsor, and GB Bars. I have (2) Windsor 16" Bars, one was bought 40 years ago with my Mac 10-10 Automatic, and the other one was bought 35 years ago, with my Pro Mac 60, and they were the Original Guide Bars when the Saws were bought by my Great Uncle. Both have had the Sprocket Nose replaced once each, and have cut a ton of Fire Wood.
The Oregon I have on my Mac 1-10, and my Step Sons
Pro Mac 10-10, are laminated Bars, and they are a lot cheaper than the Pro Bars.
Now what I have found about Bars, is How you use, and Look After the Bars. Also a lot is how well you sharpen your Chain. I've seen guys sharpen their Chains Free Hand, and Think that they are doing a Great Job of Sharpening them, and doing a Pi$$ Poor Job of it, and wind up with one side with a different Pitch and Angle of the Cutter of one side then the other, causing the Chain to lean heavily to one side of the Bar, and wearing down one Rail faster than the Other. A properly Sharpen Chain, will prolong life to your Bar.
Never take the Bar off the Chain Saw, and Clean the Burs off the Edges of Rails of the Bar. Never check to see if the Bar is Square, and True. Never Clean out the Trough of the Bar, where the Driver Tangs run in. Never turn the Bar over in between Sharpenings, for even Wear of the Top, and Bottom of the Bar. All big factors in giving a Bar, and Bottom of the Connecting Links of the Chain a longer wear life, for both Components.
All factors that needed to be looked at prior to buying. Do you cut Professionally, Cut Fire Wood for your Self, and to sell the odd Cord of wood? If for Occasional Use, all you need is a Laminated Bar, with a Sprocket Nose.
I mainly use my Saws to cut Fire Wood for myself, and sell the Odd Cord of Fire Wood. It all depends on all these Factors like I have tried to explain, that you need to judge accordingly before you undertake before you buy any Chains, or Bars. If you cut in Dirty conditions like I do, Semi Chesil is what you should look at. If your wood is clean when you are cutting, Chisel should be OK. I've used all three, and I prefer Semi Chesil Chains, but this is my opinion. I hope this helps you out. Good Luck. Bruce.
opcorn:
