Bar & chain oil: Stihl vs Poulan

[Hermio]

Yes, I think we over think alot of this stuff. Its just to lubricate the chain and bar roller and help with friction heat. Do some have better tackiness or lubricity maybe. But from my own anecdotal experience it matters very little and at the prices the big names charge, it doesnt take long you can buy new bars and chains with the money saved with the store brands. But I am not convinced the big names are better and actually think they are not as good.

Project Farm did a test on that. Harvest King decisively beat the Stihl and Husqvarna oils.

 

[bwalker]

Project Farm did a test on that. Harvest King decisively beat the Stihl and Husqvarna

Its speculation on my part, but I think the thinner oils work better because they penetrate the chain pins/rollers better.
I go through very little bar oil in a year now, but when I logged I went through alot. I always used the cheapest bar oil I could find and I never had any issues with premature wear on bars or chains.

 

[holeycow]

It's easier to turn a thin oil down than turn a thick oil up.

 

[PJwoodcutter]

Its speculation on my part, but I think the thinner oils work better because they penetrate the chain pins/rollers better.
I go through very little bar oil in a year now, but when I logged I went through alot. I always used the cheapest bar oil I could find and I never had any issues with premature wear on bars or chains.

My uncle had a small logging business and he said the same thing. His mind set was the "name" brands were in the bar selling business as well. Sooo the faster you wore one out the faster you would need a new one. He always bought the cheapest and when he found a super deal he would buy every jug of it a store had. We run onto a deal at a flea market for less then a buck a gallon back in the 80's. he bought over 100 cases (12 jugs per case). He kept some and sold some to wood cutters and made money and still sold it cheap.