Post hoc ergo propter hoc was the one I was thinking of. Thanks, needed a good memory jog!
I may be getting into the middle of something here, and I have no hidden agenda as far as oil goes, I've done a lot of research and use what I feel works for me. I only try to share some of information I have found.
The statement was made about idle quality in cars and saws, the two cannot be compared as the oiling systems are completely different and the oils used are completely different. Likewise water cooled engines (snow toy, outboard, etc.) cannot be compared to small CC aircooled engines as they run in different environments under different conditions. Certinly you can use aircooled oils in watercooled engines, but the result will not be as good as if you used the correct oil for the application. Same thing applies to 4 stroke oils to some degree, you can use SAE 40wt diesel oil in a Honda that spec's 0w20, but it doesn't work as well.
Most synthetic oils are really a GPIII base oil, which is severely hydro-cracked petro oil, this is normally done using the iso-dewaxing process that Chevron developed, although there are other methods. The difference between dino GPII/II+ oils and (what is sold as synthetic) GPIII base oil is the time and temperature the oil spends in the reactor. Some oils, like Redline Racing which is a GPV baseoil (ester) is formed from reacting certain alcohols, etc. This is really the only “synthetic” oil other than the GTL oils. GTL are gas-to-liquid products, most using the Fisher Trophes (not sure on the spelling) method (there are other methods however).
Many 2-stroke oils that are labeled synthetic are primarily castor based. Castor oil comes from the castor bean, so it is synthetic in the fact that it does not come from crude oil. However castor oil has long since been abandoned as a sole solution, and it is commonly mixed with other oils and additives to create a much better product.
Some oils are better than others, no doubt. Again, I'll say that I believe that using the reputable oil brand and selecting the correct TYPE of oil is more important than the brand itself. As far as 4 stroke engines goes, the only way to tell for sure how well the oil is performing is to take oil samples and send them to a lab. I've spent many hours researching oils and greases as part of my job. I've spent time at Southwest Research Institute (one of the last Majors that is left), and have had some limited training in tribology so I'm not completely mis-informed about oils.
Opps, almost forgot. Due to the nature of environment, the conditions one person runs their equipment in on a certain oil may work great, and someone else has terrible luck because conditions are different. This is particularly an acute situation when discussing 2-strokes because the oil not only lubes the engine, but is part of the fuel mixture.
If you are so inclinded, try Klotz for a gas can full and if you like the results keep using it. If not, try Redline, or Maxima (Maxima seems to have more sponsorships in racing than does Klotz, but I don't really race anymore and don't keep score. I just ride for fun anymore.) or any other brand. Once you find one you like, run it and sleep happy at night.
Ok, I'll go put on my asbestos underwear and flame suite.