Differentiate Narrow Kerf Vs Regular Chain- Detailed guide!
Professional woodcutters or house owners would deal with multiple chainsaws, but over the years, with modifications, new brands, and types have been introduced for chainsaws and their major parts, like chains, for much better cutting efficiency and strength.
Finding the right one might be worrisome, so want to try the narrow kerf chain? If yes, first needs to know what differentiates between narrow kerf vs regular chain!
When coming across the chainsaw chain marketplace specialty-wise, 03 chains seem, and one looks the narrow kerf, but why use it? And what makes it so efficient and better than normal would be a purely concern able topic.
When requiring narrow cutting work normal chain saw might not be a useful option because of its heavy weight, so in that case, a narrow kerf holds your back. For more detail, our comparison guide seems the best! Check out!
Narrow Kerf Vs Regular Chain- differentiation factors
Narrow Kerf Vs Regular Chain comparison table | |
Narrow Kerf | Regular Chain |
Weight | |
Lightweight, low profile | Heavyweight |
Cutting | |
Narrow cuts | Deep cut |
Efficiency | |
High cutting efficiency, fast cutters10% faster | Medium cutters |
Compatibility | |
Sits electric chainsaws | Suits gas-powered chain saws |
Pitch | |
0.325″, 3/8″, ¼ | 0.325″, 3/8″, or 0.404.” |
Gauge | |
0.043 inch, 0.050 inch | 0.043, 0.50, 0.058, 0.063 |
Brand | |
Husqvarna’s Pixel chain, Stihl | Each brand owns their standard chain |
Uses | |
pruning branches, cutting branches and wood to logs | harvesting trees for timber, pulp, logs, or for processing firewood |
Weight
Upon comparing the weight of the narrow kerf versus the regular chain, users would find that the narrow kerf chain is specially designed as a low-profile lightweight chain for specific projects with 30% less weight than the standard chain.
Narrow kerf chains are self-based on their low profile weight, which is why they differ from regular chains.
Those requiring the best cutting experience with light weighted chainsaw chains could opt for a narrow kerf chain because it allows users to easily handle them by reducing the inconvenience.
Take a standard chain of 3/8 inch compared to the same 3/8 inch kerf chain; the low profile narrow kerf would indicate a clear difference in the weight.
Some new users or newbies might need help to handle the heavyweight chains and the Chainsaws, but no worries, the narrow kerf chainsaw provides better handling and balancing than a regular chainsaw.
Cutting efficiency
Another factor, like cutting efficiency, clearly differentiates the narrow kerf chain from the standard chain because by opting narrow kerf chain, you reduce cutting time and increase the efficiency by up to 10% compared to the regular chain. Some brands offer kerf chains like Oregon narrow kerf chain with even 15% faster cutting rate and efficiency on a speed cut Nano.
The cutting efficiency of the narrow kerf is high, while for standard, it’s low to medium cutters, so choose the one per your efficiency requirement and type of wood cutting. For those intending a fast-cutting experience, we suggest the narrow kerf instead of the standard chain get the cutting more proportioned considering the cutting width.
Compatibility
A narrow kerf chain usually opts for an electric saw chain; most gasoline-powered and battery-powered chainsaws.
For gasoline-powered chainsaws with 50cc and lower, it is much more compatible. Compared to standard ones that are heavy with and because of that, they can be easily opted for gas power engines because of their high power and efficiency.
Narrow kerf chain cuts faster but thinner, removing cuttings and those requiring such pattern use such on a long bar. A narrow kerf chain gains the perfect efficiency cutting, so always select the bar size compatible with your narrow kerf chain because either a loose or tight chain can be troublesome in both cases.
Brands
Narrow kerf chain is available in various brands considering the Husqvarna pixel chain or Stihl narrow kerf chain, while standard chains might be factory built-in and come with any of the brands.
Traditional chains are normal to medium working chains, but if you want a professional and high-end chain, you can choose other types based on your working requirement.
Uses
Whether normal or narrow kerf chains, both possess blades and cutters that the desire to cut the pitch and gauge determine the cutting type and chain replacement and both vary for the types.
Because of such versatility, Normal chain harvest trees for pulps, logs timbers, or any wood required for special purposes like processing firewood. Compared to these, using a narrow kerf chain, you would get faster cuts of branches, cutting wood to log, and various wood-cutting processes.
Narrow kerf chains offer narrow woodcuts, keeping the user in mind the narrow kerf ranges in sizes and sizes are usually coded in versatile pitches, including 0.325″, 3/8”, ¼ and gauge 0.043 inches, and 0.050 inches.
No narrow kerf chains are specially designed to fit narrow kerf bars built-in compared to narrow kerf pitch and gauges mostly thinner than regular ones.
Conclusion
We hope you review our handy guide and come to the conclusion of finding the best reason to select the narrow kerf chain compared to the standard or normal chain. Both chains offer versatile working, cutting, and performance efficiency based on the project, so carefully opt for the right one.
Those requiring fast cutting on the electric chain saw should consider the easily handled, lightweight narrow kerf chain.
On the other hand, the gas-powered saw would be more compatible with normal chains weighing more for completing yard work and more tough tasks. If you like our blog post, show some interest, and share with friends and family to let them get the best chainsaw chain and other relevant solutions for queries!
In sharing his knowledge, Brayden aims to guide individuals and professionals alike through the complexities of managing land and effectively using machinery. His insights are practical, borne out of hands-on experience, and cover a spectrum of scenarios in land management. More about me