Tbh I've seen a lot of videos criticising oregon square ground chains.
Just to be clear, I know those generic boxes come with the 100' rolls and use them routinely when spinning loops for customers, but we buy most of our chains in pre-made. The unlabeled boxes do increase the risk of buying something that hasn't been properly assembled or inspected though. I agree that the chain doesn't look knock-off and that would be way too much work to go to. I guess Oregon just doesn't have square ground chain figured out like round ground.
I do not doubt that a bit, the quality of nearly all products has fallen. The world is a throwaway society and consumers want cheap products. I have rolls of chain that are 50 years old and it is better. I have rolls that are close to 75 years old or older and I bet it was made with virgin steel.
About 15 years ago Madsens sold 100 foot reels of Oregon square ground for $199. I still have some left. At the same time the local Stihl dealer had a one day sale each Fall on Stihl loops. He had a simple pricing structure of $4 above bar length. It did not matter the size or type. It did not matter if it was .325, 3/8, or .404. It did not matter if it was round or square, full comp or skip. The sale was buy one get one free. A 20 inch chain was normally $24 but on the sale day it was $12. Using the 20 inch as an example a 100ft reel yields 22 loops. Now at $12 each that would be $264.
My experience is that it takes 2 or 3 file strokes per tooth and the occasional 10 to clean up a new Husky or Stihl Chain. 5 or 10 per tooth for Oregon and the occasional 20.
I use stihl rs chain almost exclusively.
