Constructive Criticism Ahead - Proceed with Caution:
Following up now after using a (the same) Duke’s chain for 3 days logging hardwoods (White Oak) this past week.
Initial grind was not as sharp, and aggressive, as I would have liked. I tried taking a swipe off the rakers: didn’t change. Looked closer and the edge of the cutters wasn’t actually sharp. I then began round filing. Once tuned up, the chain pulled nicely.
I want to like this chain. Its price is fantastic. So I didn’t give up on it. I kept using it on my felling saw each day.
As stated in my previous post, how long a chain retains its edge is a big deal to me, with my business, in a professional logging setting. So cutter life is the make/break point for me. That being said, I could not cut more than 1 tree without the edge of the chain rolling. Occasionally I could get 2 trees felled and limbed, but by the end I was dogging in to get the cuts finished. Keep in mind, these are clean trees: green, frozen, woods grown trees with no debris in the bark. And the chain was never in the dirt. I tried to get 3 trees with it on the second day, and I couldn’t even plunge cut with it on the 3rd tree to fell. The chain just wouldn’t bite anymore. So 2 trees was the pushed limit in my experiences.
Now, as annoying as it is to file every tree or 2, I can do it well, and quickly, sharpening a 24” chain in just a couple minutes. It only took 2-3 file strokes to get the teeth back to sharp. I use Pferd files.
On the 3rd afternoon, I did end up clipping a rock that I didn’t see, as I was starting a face cut. That ended the chain test for me. I’ll now grind it and put it back in service later. That being said, I was forced to grab my backup saw, which has Stihl 33 RSK chain on it… I then cut 3 trees with that saw, without needing to file, as the chain retained its edge and continued to pull itself through. (I have cut for a half day before filing with Stihl chain in the past)
To get the same amount of work done, I would need 3 rolls of Dukes to 1 roll of Stihl. Here’s my breakdown:
Dukes 3/8 .050 100ft roll: currently $250
Stihl 33RSK 100ft roll: currently $630
Dukes x3 = $750
Stihl x1 = $630
The saying goes, “you get what you pay for”, and that certainly has been my experience here. Stihl is expensive up front, but lasts, at minimum 3 times longer, for me in the woods doing work. That makes it a better value, and saves me money in the long run.
I believe everyone’s experience and needs are different. Different woods types, different seasons, different saw sizes, etc all come into play. I honestly think it’s great that Duke is offering this chain at a great price point compared to others on the market. Its edge retention is comparable to Oregon, and that makes Duke’s a good value in my opinion. Give it a try!
Got my thumbs up too. Silky smooth out of the box. After one tank in large wood noodling no need for a touch up. Oak if it matters
it was fantastically cheaper for me to buy 3 loops of skip ,and join them for a 56" bar then buying 1 loop any where else.
