Stihl RSC vs. Oregon Full Chisel

[toolmaker]

Anyone have experiences and comparisons with these two chains?
My Stihl dealer wanted me to try the new RSC chain, so I picked one up for my MS 460.

Personally I have been using Oregon full chisel because I can get it for about half the cost of Stihl chain.
$13.95 per loop compared to $28.00 per loop for Stihl.

Who likes which the best....and why?

 

[computeruser]

Personally I have been using Oregon full chisel because I can get it for about half the cost of Stihl chain.
$13.95 per loop compared to $28.00 per loop for Stihl.

Who likes which the best....and why?

No experience with RSC but lots with RS. I can say for darned sure that it isn't worth twice the price - I'd sooner have two loops than one. GB, WoodsmanPro, Carlton, they all get the job done. Oregon seems a bit softer, but it sharpens up quickly.

 

[THALL10326]

Anyone have experiences and comparisons with these two chains?
My Stihl dealer wanted me to try the new RSC chain, so I picked one up for my MS 460.

Personally I have been using Oregon full chisel because I can get it for about half the cost of Stihl chain.
$13.95 per loop compared to $28.00 per loop for Stihl.

Who likes which the best....and why?

Those two chains cost about the same to the dealer except where ever your buying the Oregon the place may as well be giving it away and my well be to gain other sales. The major differance between the two is the Stihl chain is a harder chain and stays sharper longer. Its harder to file as well. The Oregon chain is softer as you will be able tell the minute you run a file through both of them. Cutting speed both about the same speed. The Stihl chain has a groove cut in the drivers for getting oil to the top rivets meaning less stretch than the Oregon. The Oregon has no system built in to get oil to the rivots. Which one is better for the money, the Oregon. Which one is the better chain, the Stihl.

 

[Lakeside53]

The RSC seems to cut exactly the same as the RS... Supposed to be smoother, but I can't really tell much difference.

Price problems? Negotiate...

 

[Diesel JD]

I can only say what I have said for a long time, Stihl has better metalurgy, harder cutters, better stay sharp. They both cut like a bat out of hell when properly sharpened. IOn my 390 I am currently running 72CL Oregon on my 25" bar and 75LP on my Bow. These both stay sharp well as long as you take a file to them every 2 tanks of fuel or so.

 

[SawTroll]

The Stihl chain stay charper for longer, as several others have stated.
If you touch it up before it becomes really dull (as you should), I find it no harder to file than Oregon LP. The anti-vibe feature of the RSC looks like it is copied from the Oregon LP, VP etc.

The RSC3 is a new variant of the RSC, where they also has copied the kickback reducing feature from the LP, VP etc.

I use Stihl 36RSC and Oregon 73LP on different saws. The choise is one of availability in the correct gauge more than anything else.
If given a choise, I would take the Stihl chain, unless there was a noticable difference in price in favor of Oregon (as it is, I pay about halv as much for the Stihl compared to the Oregon, but 35RSC is impossible to get here).

 

[toolmaker]

If I had my choice I would run the Stihl chain, Partially because I like to keep all things "Stihl" on my saws. I only use their bar and mix oils.
The real problem is the price.

I don't have the balls to beat the dealer up on price. I know him a bit personally and he is truly a super guy, Always takes care of me when there is a mechanical problem or warranty claim.
The problem is that his prices are full-retail.

I can get the Oregon from Baileys for $13.95/loop

The Stihl is $28/00 loop
Buy two....second at half price
Buy three....$18.00 each.
All prices plus tax.

Still more than Oregon chain from Baileys

I guess I just wanted to ask you fellas if the cost difference was worth it in quality.

I do file my chains as soon as the cutting speed slows down
I always have two or three sharp chains in my saw box sharpened and ready to go, just switch them out when needed instead of filing in the woods.

I've been into a LOT of dirty wood lately and it is ripping the hell out of my chains.
when they get down to the last little triangle of cutter tooth left, I usually sharpen them and hang them on the garage wall for stump cutters.
It seems like I am getting too many stump cutters this winter.

One more question....
Does the Stihl RSC stand up to dirt any better than the Oregon?
Don't beat me up here, I know you gotta keep 'em out of the dirt, but is there any noticeable difference?

Thanks Guys!

 

[WRW]

Two things, without getting into brands of chain.

Don't wait for the cutting speed to slow down before sharpen it.

Try a semi-chisel if you are getting a lot of dirty wood or stump cutting.

 

[toolmaker]

I am into a lot of dirty but not stump cutting.
I was just mentioning stump cutting as reference to what I do with chains that are on their last resharpening.

 

[Crofter]

Toolmaker, I know what you are talking about dirty wood. It sure is hard to see the difference between frozen mud and the colour of the bark on red oak I am cutting up. The chain sure knows the difference tho! The stuff I am bucking has been skidded and is some dirty. I noticed that a high percentage of the bucking to 9 foot at the landing was done with bore cuts and I am fiddling a bit with that method. It does seem help if you can cut from inside clean wood out thru the mud instead of pulling it into the kerf from the far side and all the way thru the cut. Any way you slice it, it is still hard on chain.

 

[musher]

The Stihl is $28/00 loop
Buy two....second at half price
Buy three....$18.00 each.
All prices plus tax.

I wish my dealer did that. As it is, I paid full price for two loops of 33-RS-72. They don't even have the RSC or RSC3 . . . They probably don't sell much RS.

I also noticed in the 2006 catalog that Stihl is dropping 3/8" RS in favor of the RSC.

 

[Lakeside53]

I wish my dealer did that. As it is, I paid full price for two loops of 33-RS-72. They don't even have the RSC or RSC3 . . . They probably don't sell much RS.

I also noticed in the 2006 catalog that Stihl is dropping 3/8" RS in favor of the RSC.

If they buy Stihl saws, they have been getting RSC and RSC3 shipped with the saws for couple of months now. The RS and RM2 are both getting dropped completely over the next few months. The RSC replaces the RS and the RSC3 replaces the RM2. Same is to happen with the .325 chain.


Negoitate... ask them to meet the 2nd chain half price... That's how we compete out here... well sell over 5000 ft per year and we have Madsens on our doorstep! There is plenty of margin in chains for a dealer, and you can bet their pro customers don't pay "list" for a chain. On the other hand, they buy a lot more...

 

[belgian]

I don't have the balls to beat the dealer up on price. I know him a bit personally and he is truly a super guy, Always takes care of me when there is a mechanical problem or warranty claim.
The problem is that his prices are full-retail.

I think your comment is worth debating. You are pretty lucky to have such dealer, and I can only approve his commercial strategy.

Everyone performing a good job and providing good service deserves a decent reward.

Unfortunately ,such people become rare species these days, so enjoy their service, as long as they last.

Roland

 

[Diesel JD]

Everyone charges full list here whether it's Oregon or Stihl. We don't have Bailey's Madsens or any other big saw warehouse within 300 miles, so if you try to "deal" with the Stihl dealer on Chain prices...I bet he will laugh in your face! As to RSC3 replacing RM2, not a moment too soon! At least it will cut...plus not cut up Jon Q. homeowner. Sweet!

 

[toolmaker]

I think your comment is worth debating. You are pretty lucky to have such dealer, and I can only approve his commercial strategy.

Everyone performing a good job and providing good service deserves a decent reward.

Unfortunately ,such people become rare species these days, so enjoy their service, as long as they last.

Roland

Ya' know what, Roland,, you're right.
Everyone has the right to earn a living, and I can't blame him for charging what the market will bear.
It just sticks in my craw when I know that there is chain for half of his price.
If I knew the Stihl chain was worth the difference it wouldn't be as hard for me to accept.
Hence the reason for this post.
Thanks!

 

[THALL10326]

Ya' know what, Roland,, you're right.
Everyone has the right to earn a living, and I can't blame him for charging what the market will bear.
It just sticks in my craw when I know that there is chain for half of his price.
If I knew the Stihl chain was worth the difference it wouldn't be as hard for me to accept.
Hence the reason for this post.
Thanks!

There is a way around those high loop prices with the Stihl dealers if you use alot of chain. Buy a roll and he'll come way down on the price, least I do. I sell my heavy users a roll for way less than retail and they leave the roll with me. When they need a loop or two or more I cut em off their own roll and put together a chain for them. What do I charge for that, nothing. Thats good customer service and it keeps my customers from hoping online and going elsewhere. Try a roll price with your dealer, he'll knock off a bunch. If he won't then he's being orenry with ya...........

 

[stihlatit]

Thall was spot on is the price worth trading of for the quality. German steel is second to none. Swedish steel is second. Everything after that is junk steel and blended from new and scrap. China steel is the worst IMHO.

Just go as far as your kitchen knives if you have a solingen you have the best steel and it will hold an edge. Great tool steel harder then any other.

China steel is a lot softer and sharpens fast but dulls even faster. I would love to know where the steel in Oregon chain comes from. Then I could give a more informed opinion on it.

I will pay the price for the Stihl chain as to me thats still cheap given the returns. The Stihl chain may last you twice as long too due to the hardness unless it is constantly sharpened with aelectric grinder. I would not know as I have not had a oregon chain.

 

[Freakingstang]

I always ran oregon 73LG on all my huskies. I thought it was good chain, but it dulled very quickly in dirty wood. After reading the praises about the Stihl RS chain on here, I went and bought a couple loops. Yes it is more expensive, but from right out of the box, I could tell a difference. It has a slighty more aggresive angle and definately stays sharp longer. My "local" amish stihl dealer (40 minutes away) charges list price for the first chain, then 4 bucks for the 2nd. The third chain is then half the price of list. Mine were $22, 4 and 11, so, for 37 dollars and some change, I got three 18" 3/8 058 chains. The oregons are 12 bucks a piece at the place I normally buy them. So if buying a couple it is more than worth it. If buying one at a time, it would get very expensive, very quick.

Steve

 

[SawTroll]

I am into a lot of dirty but not stump cutting.
.....

My wood is mostly clean birch, but I keep a couple of RM chains for dirty wood and stumps - works good enough for me....

 

[rjh245]

Anyone have experiences and comparisons with these two chains?
My Stihl dealer wanted me to try the new RSC chain, so I picked one up for my MS 460.

Personally I have been using Oregon full chisel because I can get it for about half the cost of Stihl chain.
$13.95 per loop compared to $28.00 per loop for Stihl.

Who likes which the best....and why?

I have used Oregon, Carlton, and just last week I got two looops of Stihl. My dealer charges MSRP for the first chain and 1 dollar of the second one. With tax I paid 14 bucks per chain. I have found the Oregon is the softest of all three. I was, and still am, amazed at how hard the Shihl chain is. The first time i tried to hand file it, it was a bear. After the first filing it got a lot better. The Stihl chain is better made but you will pay for it.
Rob