.325 Stihl chain?

[Squareground3691]

I got some 18" 325 Stihl 23RS chain for my 550xp.. couldn't find any 23RS-Pro, been a few months since I bought it and haven't used it yet (been running Oregon 72nk semi-chisel w/safety bumpers) I didn't realize until now that the RS-pro was narrow-kerf and the RS was "regular kerf" the chain was $28.
I said that to ask: is the 23RS gonna work? Seems to fit and spin right and really doesn't look any wider than the Oregon chain, running a 18" Oregon Speedcut bar.. I haven't taken it out to try it yet and don't have any wood to put it into at the moment but was planning to try it on a job tomorrow.. any reason to worry?
They went and made things all complicated with this 325/325NK stuff and since all the chain manufacturers seem to wanna call them different names and use different terms it just makes it even more frustrating

Here some RSPro if ur interested, https://www.ebay.com/itm/2351255403...lx6FfZ4S9a&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[J.Noss]

Here some RSPro if ur interested, https://www.ebay.com/itm/2351255403...lx6FfZ4S9a&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Hey that is exactly the seller/item I bought! It says it's 23RS in the listing which is what got me wondering seeing this thread about the RS / RS-Pro.

 

[Squareground3691]

Hey that is exactly the seller/item I bought! It says it's 23RS in the listing which is what got me wondering seeing this thread about the RS / RS-Pro.

Yea , if you look at pic of spool it says RS Pro , I bought a couple chains and its the Pro ,

 

[J.Noss]

Yea , if you look at pic of spool it says RS Pro , I bought a couple chains and its the Pro ,View attachment 421362

Yeah I did notice that, but when you get it it's just in the small box and has 23RS wrote on it so it caused a bit of confusion. Thanks! At least now I know I'm good for the job tomorrow. It looks like awesome chain btw, can't wait to see how it cuts vs my own semi-chisel grind.

But just out of curiosity: what would be a potential problem from running standard chain on a narrow-kerf bar? Not fitting inside the clutch cover? I'd think not, as you can run 3/8 with a sprocket/ bar swap.. I can't really think of any potential problems?

 

[Squareground3691]

Yeah I did notice that, but when you get it it's just in the small box and has 23RS wrote on it so it caused a bit of confusion. Thanks! At least now I know I'm good for the job tomorrow. It looks like awesome chain btw, can't wait to see how it cuts vs my own semi-chisel grind.

But just out of curiosity: what would be a potential problem from running standard chain on a narrow-kerf bar? Not fitting inside the clutch cover? I'd think not, as you can run 3/8 with a sprocket/ bar swap.. I can't really think of any potential problems?

Don’t think you’ll have any issues, Stihl just gives you standard box’s for loops of chain, when you buy a reel , then just label what it is ,

 

[Duane(Pa)]

RSP has a pretty distinct shape to the rakers. Almost a hook shape vs. a ramp…

 

[Squareground3691]

 

[J.Noss]

View attachment 421448

Yep that's it I got the right one (RS-Pro) appreciate the help

 

[TheNorwegian]

Before I used the picco super chain on my 261 but now I have switched to this chain, the picco is good but this is better. It’s the best chain I have ever been using and I have been using some. It’s sems to me that it needs some hook to cut fast but so do all the other chains to. At New the theets are pretty tall so the first times I sharpening I use a 5,2mm-13/64 file and then the 4,8mm-3/16 this size file can be used almost to the chain is worned out but in the end I think the 4,5mm-11/64 will work better. I use Stihls New progressive raker guide for the chain.

 

[huskihl]

Before I used the picco super chain on my 261 but now I have switched to this chain, the picco is good but this is better. It’s the best chain I have ever been using and I have been using some. It’s sems to me that it needs some hook to cut fast but so do all the other chains to. At New the theets are pretty tall so the first times I sharpening I use a 5,2mm-13/64 file and then the 4,8mm-3/16 this size file can be used almost to the chain is worned out but in the end I think the 4,5mm-11/64 will work better. I use Stihls New progressive raker guide for the chain.

It’s great chain. It cuts a little bit faster because it’s narrow, but with the extra hook it gets really fast. And it seems to stay sharp reasonably well even with the extra hook

 

[TheNorwegian]

I haver tried to file this chain with just a little hook, it wouldent cut, it was mediockre so I think you are absolutely right about it, my experience is that it will stay Sharp when logging sitka.

 

[FederalQ]

I have done a resharpening on this chain using a round 3.175mm 1/8“ file and then recreating the hook with a double bevel flat file. So far it has been cutting well. Takes some time to do.

 

[Woodwater]

Hell yeah, i have filed this chain very agressively sqare. ON my 346 XS with 8 t rim, it's realy lightning fast!

 

[huskihl]

I haver tried to file this chain with just a little hook, it wouldent cut, it was mediockre so I think you are absolutely right about it, my experience is that it will stay Sharp when logging sitka.

The more vertical (less hook) you go, the less aggressive and lower your rakers will need to be to make it self feed.

 

[TheNorwegian]

will this bar https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/controlcut™-guide-bar,-16"/p/160pxlba074 fit my stihl 241?

 

[Al Smith]

As far as better chain my choice would be Stihl RS.You can play with if you want,hook it etc ..Hooked should cut a little faster but it's like compairing a razor blade to an axe head .Might be fine in a racing situation but will not hold an edge as long .In my situation a majority of my work is rock hard dead ash and oak for firewood .In my opinion Stihl branded chain lasts about twice as long as say Oregon but doesn't cost twice as much .Opinions on that statement are not shared by all ,just my opinion .

 

[Squareground3691]

As far as better chain my choice would be Stihl RS.You can play with if you want,hook it etc ..Hooked should cut a little faster but it's like compairing a razor blade to an axe head .Might be fine in a racing situation but will not hold an edge as long .In my situation a majority of my work is rock hard dead ash and oak for firewood .In my opinion Stihl branded chain lasts about twice as long as say Oregon but doesn't cost twice as much .Opinions on that statement are not shared by all ,just my opinion .

That why NOS , is becoming the boutique chain to have Lol , the quality of materials and manufacturing has suffered with Oregon, they have be bought and sold a few times over the last decade or so , and quality has gone with it, Stihl 23RS Pro is hard to beat,