Semi-Chisel vs Full Chisel Chains: What's Your Take?

Gimme_gimme

Gimme_gimme

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Hey folks, I've been debating this with a few guys lately, and I figured I'd bring it here to get some opinions. I've been running a Stihl MS 261 with a .325 semi-chisel chain for most of my cutting, and I’ve noticed that it handles smaller, harder branches really well. It seems to glide through the wood without too much vibration, and the self-feeding is pretty smooth, especially when I’m working with dense hardwoods.

But then again, I’ve used full chisel in the past, and man, it cuts fast. The bite is aggressive, and you can feel it, but I also noticed it tends to dull quicker, especially when cutting through anything with a bit of grit. I’m wondering if anyone here prefers one over the other for different types of work, or do you think full chisel is worth it for bigger cuts, or is the semi-chisel just easier to manage in all conditions?

Would love to hear what you guys think!
 
Hey Gimme_gimme,

I’ve been in a similar boat! I run a Husqvarna 460 with a full chisel chain most of the time. I agree with you on the aggressive bite, it cuts like a beast through bigger logs, but it dulls faster if there’s any dirt or grit in the wood. I’ve had to sharpen it more frequently than I’d like, especially when working in more rugged conditions.

That said, I do love the semi-chisel for smaller, tougher wood, like you mentioned. It seems to handle things like knots and dense hardwoods without losing its edge as quickly. I think it all comes down to what you’re cutting and how often you want to maintain your chain. For larger cuts, I tend to go with full chisel, but semi-chisel is the way to go for all-around durability.

What kind of cutting are you planning to do most often? That could help decide which way to go.
 
Good debate here! Sounds like full chisel is great for speed but needs more maintenance, while semi-chisel holds its edge better for tougher conditions. Anyone ever tried running both on the same job to see the difference side by side?
 
Great point, @Jared Allen! It’d be interesting to hear from someone who’s actually swapped between both on the same job. Maybe full chisel for the big, clean cuts and then switching to semi-chisel when dealing with rougher wood or dirtier conditions? Has anyone here experimented with mixing them up like that, or do you just stick to one type for consistency?
 
Good discussion here! I’ve mostly stuck with semi-chisel for the durability, but I’d be curious to try swapping between both on the same job to see the difference firsthand. Seems like a full chisel would be great for speed on clean wood, but semi-chisel wins out when things get gritty. Anyone have a go-to strategy for switching between the two?
 
Great insights, everyone! I think swapping between the two based on the job makes a lot of sense. Does anyone here use a specific sharpening routine or tool for when you’re switching between chains like that?
 
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