New Oregon Loops vs Old Stihl Loop

[Scott76]

Here’s one for you. I have 4 loops for my Stihl 026; 3 New Oregon and 1 very old Stihl.
My Grandfather gave me an old Stihl loop that was still in the original box.

I used 1 New Oregon loop for 3 hours and I could tell it was getting dull. So I stopped for the night and sharpened it. Next day 3 hours in to it again it was getting dull. NOW I’m not talking flat-out dull. Just wasn’t throwing the flakes like it was new. The next morning I put on the old Stihl loop out of the box. I cut all day with that loop. On the last log it was still throwing the flakes just like the first log I cut with it. The load was a mix of Oak, Hickory, Ash, Beech, & Hard Maple.

Did the quality go down with the newer stuff like everything else or is it just the brands? I would like to buy a newer Stihl loop equal type to really see if it was the quality.

 

[thompson1600]

Not sure about the quality going down, however, Oregon is a softer chain. Easier to sharpen, but doesn't hold an edge as long. Stihl is a harder chain. A little harder to sharpen but holds an edge longer.

It could be the minerals in the tree and other factors too, but usually Stihl will hold an edge longer than Oregon.

 

[Max]

Were those "flakes" of the frosted variety?

 

[Chopwood]

 

[THALL10326]

Here’s one for you. I have 4 loops for my Stihl 026; 3 New Oregon and 1 very old Stihl.
My Grandfather gave me an old Stihl loop that was still in the original box.

I used 1 New Oregon loop for 3 hours and I could tell it was getting dull. So I stopped for the night and sharpened it. Next day 3 hours in to it again it was getting dull. NOW I’m not talking flat-out dull. Just wasn’t throwing the flakes like it was new. The next morning I put on the old Stihl loop out of the box. I cut all day with that loop. On the last log it was still throwing the flakes just like the first log I cut with it. The load was a mix of Oak, Hickory, Ash, Beech, & Hard Maple.

Did the quality go down with the newer stuff like everything else or is it just the brands? I would like to buy a newer Stihl loop equal type to really see if it was the quality.

The quality of a chains depends on the quality of the metal (steel) to make it. There is a little unknown secret about Stihl chain. The metal (steel) in a Stihl chain is not from Germany. The best steel in the world is right here in the ole USA in Pa. Stihl gets the metal in Pa and ships it to Switzeland by boat to be made into saw chain and then ships it all over the world. I never knew this untill one of the guys at Stihl told me so. The metal explains why Stihl is a harder chain and holds a edge longer. The drawback of a harder chain is when you sharpen it by hand, its tuffer to file. If I had to sharpen chains with a file all the time I would take the Oregon chain because it files alot easier than a Stihl chain due to the softer metal in it. May not hold a edge as long but sure sharpens up alot easier...........

 

[SawTroll]

I agree that the Stihl chain has better stay-sharp than Oregon, and they are harder to file if they are really dull, or rocked out.
However, if you do as you should, and touch up before the chain gets dull, it is not noticeable harder to file than Oregon.

And yes, as far as I know, the Stihl chain are made in Switzerland, not in Germany.