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jakethesnake

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There’s not much of any chain that has edge retention like stihl.. no doubt. The old Carlton chain was close. That was my favorite for years but I think it’s gone these days. I still run some but I don’t think it’s available new. I got a whole tank of fuel through a 372 clone so far and my dukes chain is still self feeding in oak. I will update soon. Maybe a different batch @Loony661 ? I got a bar chain combo
 

Loony661

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There’s not much of any chain that has edge retention like stihl.. no doubt. The old Carlton chain was close. That was my favorite for years but I think it’s gone these days. I still run some but I don’t think it’s available new. I got a whole tank of fuel through a 372 clone so far and my dukes chain is still self feeding in oak. I will update soon. Maybe a different batch @Loony661 ? I got a bar chain combo
Yeah it’s possible I just got a chain from a bad run. I’m certainly willing to give it another try sometime.

You can still buy Carlton new, but it’s not much different than Oregon as far as edge retention either. Slightly better though. From what I’ve read, I’m pretty sure all of Bailey’s Woodland Pro chain is rebranded Carlton.

On the Duke’s chain - I forgot to mention how little it stretched. I can only recall needing to snug it up once.
 

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Yeah it’s possible I just got a chain from a bad run. I’m certainly willing to give it another try sometime.

You can still buy Carlton new, but it’s not much different than Oregon as far as edge retention either. Slightly better though. From what I’ve read, I’m pretty sure all of Bailey’s Woodland Pro chain is rebranded Carlton.

On the Duke’s chain - I forgot to mention how little it stretched. I can only recall needing to snug it up once.
Oregon bought Carlton a while back.

Carlton was pretty much the best, from the multiple types I've tried.
 

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Any feedback on their 3/8 lo-pro chain?
 

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Yesterday was bouncing around between the two adjoining parcels my landlords own.

First was some storm damage where the trees fell over the neighbors property line onto ours. So I cleaned up the mess and took out some ladder-fuel while I was there. Very dead firs grown up into the canopy of healthy trees. I left a lot of material, both for time and to not go crazy cutting on the neighbors' (absentee, elderly; no concept of forest-management or fuel-reduction) property.



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Lots of rotten, dirty material got cut there.



Then I bounced up the hill to clean up this rotted white-oak that was suspended in other trees. Most of the wood, save for the trunk, was good firewood and clean. Once into the mossy stuff is where all the dirt began. I peeled as much as made sense to make the cut, but there's still dirt embedded in the bark from growing on the road. The second trunk was already on the ground. I cleaned it up before taking the photo.

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Then I bounced back down the hill to cut this heavy-leaner white oak. This little section of stand has some form of rot attacking the trees, as many are unhealthy, some displaying mushroom-growth. This tree was going down eventually but is along our access road. Rather clean it up now than when I don't have time for it.

Had my landlord spot in case the chair came back at me. Explained to him the coos-bay and why it is used here. Chair was mitigated, save for a little post, which revealed a rotting heart. Damned good firewood, which I'll split in the very near future.

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2 tanks through the FKWS 550 with the Duke's chain. The last oak above had double the dirt than the larger oak from the previous post had. The chain derailed from tension when I made one of the side cuts of the coos-bay. Thankfully just a little burr on the tang that smoothed out in the bar groove.

Considering how much dirt and rotten wood got cut, as well as dense white-oak, I'm fairly pleased with how the Duke's chain held its edge. I would much prefer semi-chisel, but take what you can get. I'll post on it again once I've sharpened and gotten some more tanks on it.
 
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Duke Thieroff

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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!
What is the RSK?

What are you cutting?
Where are you located?
What conditions are you cutting in?

I haven't heard too much similar to what you said, so I'd be interested to hear the conditions you're working it in.


Thanks for the detailed info.
 

Loony661

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What is the RSK?

What are you cutting?
Where are you located?
What conditions are you cutting in?

I haven't heard too much similar to what you said, so I'd be interested to hear the conditions you're working it in.


Thanks for the detailed info.
RSK is Stihl’s Rapid Super Klassik line of chain.

I’m logging hardwoods in the upper midwest. Primarily White Oak and Red Oak (actual, not sub species).

I’m located in Winona county, Minnesota.

Conditions are woods grown trees. Green and frozen.. No mud or dirt present on outside of bark. Chain kept out of the dirt. Saw rides with me in the cab of the skidder.

Your price on the chain is great. For me in a production setting, it appeared too soft, and wouldn’t retain an edge. The chain went straight from the package onto my saw, and only got filed with a 7/32” Pferd file. I did not put it on a grinder yet.

Happy to help you with any questions you may have, here or in PM.
 

Squareground3691

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I think the difference in the RSK and Dukes is quality makeup of steel used and manufacturing process all the way threw to the end product, as to actual cutters edge longevity, Dukes has a very good price to qualify factor, just a comparison,
 

Loony661

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I think the difference in the RSK and Dukes is quality makeup of steel used and manufacturing process all the way threw to the end product, as to actual cutters edge longevity, Dukes has a very good price to qualify factor, just a comparison,
I agree. I think it has more to do with the alloy that’s being used to create the cutters. Different steel’s have different characteristics.

And I also agree, that for what Duke’s is charging for the chain, it’s a good value. Certainly putting a hurting on sales for Oregon and others.
 

Squareground3691

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I agree. I think it has more to do with the alloy that’s being used to create the cutters. Different steel’s have different characteristics.

And I also agree, that for what Duke’s is charging for the chain, it’s a good value. Certainly putting a hurting on sales for Oregon and others.
Yup , I deal with alloy , powered, and stainless steels, and the quality of the makeup and manufacturing is imperative to its performance,
 

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And I also agree, that for what Duke’s is charging for the chain, it’s a good value. Certainly putting a hurting on sales for Oregon and others.


I have some newer Oregon chains that I got pretty cheap, different models, and it's rare that I can get two tanks of fuel on them before having to sharpen. That includes semi-chisel.

I've been saving my oldest roll of Oregon chain, as it seems like those loops hold up better. I probably bought it 6-8 years ago.
 

Loony661

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I have some newer Oregon chains that I got pretty cheap, different models, and it's rare that I can get two tanks of fuel on them before having to sharpen. That includes semi-chisel.

I've been saving my oldest roll of Oregon chain, as it seems like those loops hold up better. I probably bought it 6-8 years ago.
Yeah Oregon’s chain manufacturing has gone down hill - they are just riding on the name now. I can usually get 2 trees felled and limbed, and then it needs a touch-up.

That older Oregon should be treated like precious metal!
 

Squareground3691

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N.O.S. chain is what I look for the most, Oregon, and Carlton and others of old stock is good stuff, Unfortunately Oregon has been bought and sold few times in the last decade, and with that so has the quality suffered a good deal,
 

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I agree. I think it has more to do with the alloy that’s being used to create the cutters. Different steel’s have different characteristics.

And I also agree, that for what Duke’s is charging for the chain, it’s a good value. Certainly putting a hurting on sales for Oregon and others.
Judging by what you have said, what others have said, and my own personal professional experience with the chain, I’m inclined to think you may have gotten a “bad batch”. Not all that surprising with Chinese manufacturing and quality control.

I’ve found the dukes chains I have here to be somewhere between Oregon and Sthil quality. Not quite as durable as Stihl RS but close. Is it old school rsk nah but that’s pretty much the pinnacle. Definitely better quality than the stuff I’ve used from Oregon in the past. Quite frankly I stopped using Oregon because it has become soft garbage.

Granted my use case is different than yours is. I’m essentially using it to buck the vertical trunk down from aloft. However, those pieces get bucked down further on the ground after they have slammed flat into the ground at speed. So a mix of clean and dirty cuts. Basically normal pro tree work duties. If I’m diligent and keep the chain out of the ground I might get a week out of a loop. Y’all know me I don’t pull my punches. Good, bad, or indifferent I’d speak my mind without much filtering.
 

Loony661

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Judging by what you have said, what others have said, and my own personal professional experience with the chain, I’m inclined to think you may have gotten a “bad batch”. Not all that surprising with Chinese manufacturing and quality control.

I’ve found the dukes chains I have here to be somewhere between Oregon and Sthil quality. Not quite as durable as Stihl RS but close. Is it old school rsk nah but that’s pretty much the pinnacle. Definitely better quality than the stuff I’ve used from Oregon in the past. Quite frankly I stopped using Oregon because it has become soft garbage.

Granted my use case is different than yours is. I’m essentially using it to buck the vertical trunk down from aloft. However, those pieces get bucked down further on the ground after they have slammed flat into the ground at speed. So a mix of clean and dirty cuts. Basically normal pro tree work duties. If I’m diligent and keep the chain out of the ground I might get a week out of a loop. Y’all know me I don’t pull my punches. Good, bad, or indifferent I’d speak my mind without much filtering.
Entirely possible. If it holds up better than Oregon for others, then it should for me, and that certainly wasn’t my experience. As stated in one of my previous posts, I’m willing to try another loop sometime.
 

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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!
I'm not sure I can follow the extrapolation from life with 1 sharp chain to rolls of chain?
 

Loony661

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I'm not sure I can follow the extrapolation from life with 1 sharp chain to rolls of chain?
I buy rolls of chain. I tested 1 of the Duke’s chains before committing to buying a roll. Maybe you have disposable income, but I sure ain’t going to buy 100 ft of chain to “try it”.
 
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