Narrow kerf bars and chains, how long do they last?

[cobey]

I have one haven't used much,
Do they hold up or ware out more quickly because of thinner rails?

 

[Windthrown]

Depends on what type of NK. Its spelled kerf by the way. There are several types and gauges. In general I have found that they do not stretch or wear any faster, as they cut a norrower width cut, so the stress is the same. They tend to cut faster in my experience.

 

[cobey]

Cool, trying to lighten load on my saw,
Thought it might help, thank you

 

[cobey]

Edited the title. ..... can't spell

 

[cobey]

I have .325. 050 speed cut and woodland pro.

 

[hseII]

Cool, trying to lighten load on my saw,
Thought it might help, thank you

I like 3/8" Low Pro on my 200Ts & pole saw, but for felling on a sporty MS261, I had 2 observations:

1. Due to the nature of felling & bucking on the ground, I don't have as much luck keeping the chain sharp.
2. I have used the bar to flip notch out, & I threw the chain doing this with the low pro.

Just my $0.02.

YMMV


2 Rings & A Flattop, LLC Test Dummy

 

[NCFarmboy]

I'm trying an NK .325X.050 A041 for my Dolmar 421 should be here as soon as Nate ships. Heard they work exceptionally well on this saw.
Shep

 

[cobey]

I'm trying an NK .325X.050 A041 for my Dolmar 421 should be here as soon as Nate ships. Heard they work exceptionally well on this saw.
Shep

I'm gonna run 16" NK 66 driver .050
On my 450 husqvarna, it runs good with big 3/8 race chains in square wood
But for work, .325 is easier on the saw
And the b/c will be much lighter.
I had it set up for stihl ps chain
It was almost as fast as my square
Race chain!

 

[Windthrown]

Stihl PS low profile/Picco chain is good stuff. Full chisel, non-safety. I run that on my 026 saws, and my 211. For bucking on the ground with a large format Picco B&C on a 261, try running PM semi chisel. It will put up with more crud and stay sharp longer.

While Picco 0.050 is narrower kerf chain than 3/8 std chain, which is why it cuts faster, it is not really NK chain. NK Picco is the 0.043 skinny stuff that comes on the MS180/1 saws. That is their so called "Micro Mini" chain and the only narrow kerf chain that I am aware of that Stihl sells.

.325 NK is a different story, and more typical of what is called narrow kerf chain. It was not available from Stihl for a long while, but I think you can get it now from AM suppliers. The guys with mid size 50cc Huskys that I have known swear by .325 NK B&C.

 

[Terry Syd]

NK chains come with very little cutting angle (raker height). Since they are predominately used on lower powered saws, the cutting angle is around 4 degrees.

The VP/VPX 95 chain (Husky H30) has a great roller guide available that not only helps to get the right 'hook' and angle on the top plate, but also has a progressive raker plate attached to the guide. The 'hardwood' setting will give around 4.2 degrees of cutting angle, the 'softwood' setting will give around 5.7 degrees of cutting angle.

I use NK chain on bigger saws and like the cutting angle around 6 degrees. The NK chain is just as strong as a standard .325 chain, the chain fails at the rivet hole in the drive link and the drive links are the same for both chains. The reason they cut faster is because the cutters are 1mm thick versus 1.25 mm thick for standard chain. Not only is the kerf narrower, the cutter enters the wood easier.

I have heard that NK bars will wear faster. From reports years ago it appeared that the Husky bars were the best for long term wear. I'm a firewood hack and so far have never worn out a NK bar, if I was a commercial cutter, I expect I would have had a different experience.

 

[Windthrown]

Older Husky bars (up to last year) were all made by Oregon. Now Husky is making their own bars someplace in the world.

 

[Terry Syd]

I've heard that the newer bars have harder rails (and no grease hole). I can't confirm that, but if they are harder, then long term wear should be even better.

 

[Windthrown]

I have found Oregon stuff to be softer (chain and bars) than Stihl and GB. I only have one Oregon bar left, and the rest are all Stihl and GB Pro Tops. All my loops are Stihl or Carlton (Woodland Pro re-branded Carlton). Be interesting to see what the new Husky B&C is like.

 

[Tpagel]

I have a 16" NK bar on my 545 Husqvarna and really like it. I have not put tons of time on it but I like the way h30 cuts.


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[CoreyB]

I have a 16" NK bar on my 545 Husqvarna and really like it. I have not put tons of time on it but I like the way h30 cuts.


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That is a good set up. when you go to replace your bar after you wear it out, look at the Oregon speedcut bar it balances real nice on the 545.
It is one of my best selling set ups.

 

[Tpagel]

I looked at those when I was wanting another but I found a new micro lite combo on eBay I could not pass on the price.


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[Philbert]

I have .325 NK (Oregon 95, Husqvarna H30, Carlton K1NK) chain on my Husqvarna 353. I like how it cuts, but have not measured wear compared to full Kerf .325. It is common on many Husky saws, and apparently popular in Europe. The new Oregon 95TXL and the first Husqvarna manufactured chains are .325 NK.

I also have 3/8, low profile, narrow kerf chain (Oregon 90, similar to STIHL 3/8" PMM3) on pole saws, and also like it in that application. Again, can't objectively comment on wear, but it has not been an issue for this type of cutting.

Philbert

 

[Farmchuck]

I have .325 NK (Oregon 95, Husqvarna H30, Carlton K1NK) chain on my Husqvarna 353. I like how it cuts, but have not measured wear compared to full Kerf .325. It is common on many Husky saws, and apparently popular in Europe. The new Oregon 95TXL and the first Husqvarna manufactured chains are .325 NK.

I also have 3/8, low profile, narrow kerf chain (Oregon 90, similar to STIHL 3/8" PMM3) on pole saws, and also like it in that application. Again, can't objectively comment on wear, but it has not been an issue for this type of cutting.

Philbert

Is the new husky nk chain available state side yet?

 

[CoreyB]

Is the new husky nk chain available state side yet?

Nope. was pestering my rep last week and he had no update