Welcome to A.S.!
Like a lot of things, chainsaws have their own terminology, and their own quirks. Individual companies will also make up their own trade names so that customers feel they have to buy a specific brand.
Your saw can run any brand of chain, as long as it is the correct:
- pitch,
- gauge, and
- drive link count
‘Full 3/8’ chain, and ‘low-profile 3/8’ measure the same between the rivets, but the size and shape of the cutters and drive links are different, so they need different drive sprockets at the motor, and different nose sprockets on the guide bar. Think of them as ‘different pitches’.
3/8 low profile (‘mini’, ‘picco’, etc.) is usually found on smaller saws. Full 3/8 pitch normally on larger saws.
Just to keep it fun, both actually measure .365” between rivets (measured as shown), not .375”. Just like a ‘2 by 4’ does not measure 2” x 4”.
As noted, the chains can also come in different gauges (dive link and bar groove width). There can also be ‘narrow kerf’ versions, which take a narrower ‘bite’ of wood, reducing the amount of power required to cut.
This all can sound confusing: once you find the correct chain for your saw in one brand, you can look up crossover charts to find the correct types in other brands, if you choose.
Pretty soon, this will all be ’obvious’ in hindsight!
Philbert
