What is the Difference Between Full Chisel Vs. Semi Chisel

An essential element, and that single component on the chainsaw, ensuring the chainsaw delivers a smooth operation, is the chain of the machine. But the work of the chain would only be completed if the exact type of chisel compatible with your chainsaw assists it. 

Remember that without a chain, your chainsaw will start; however, when you put the machine to work, your fate will only stand you to be destined to meet the failure that would result in an outcome. 

Similarly, with an inaccurate chisel type on the chain, the resulting shape of the material would need correction.

Not only this, but there will be rough edges left to it, and whatever effort you initially put into your operation will have to be doubled. 

Therefore, let’s investigate the difference between a full chisel and semi chisel and try to decipher which one works the best for what purpose. 

Full Chisel Vs. Semi-Chisel 

Before we begin with differentiating between a full chisel Vs., Semi-chisel, we will be briefing you about it. Hence, you have an idea of the core topic of discussion and need clarification. 

If you are a chainsaw owner who uses the equipment frequently, you would be well affiliated with its design. Every time you look closely at the chain, you notice tiny and sharp teeth surrounding the chain overall, and those small honed edges are the chisels. 

Type of chisel that is on the chain will determine how your chainsaw will be cutting in, making the chisel a vital factor to be considered when purchasing a chainsaw for use.

Noticeably, a chainsaw chain comes in three distinct categories: semi, full-chisel, and low-profile chainsaws. Even though low-profile chains are not our concern for now, we will discuss them later and keep our primary focus on a full chisel and a semi-chisel. 

Full Chisel 

The purpose that a full chisel serves can only be handled by those professionals in the field who grasp their chainsaws with comfort and ease. In comparison, if an ordinary user gets ahold of a full chisel, they will face many difficulties in utilizing the chisel in the manner they expect to. 

This is because normal users do not use a chainsaw to cut hardwood from old and solid trees. For instance, a full chisel is used to cut through the wood on an Oak tree because the squared edges of the teeth (chisel) have an increasing gearing power to successfully and effortlessly penetrate the wood without investing much work into the operation. 

There is a reason why these full chisel chains are only used by those skilled and who have acquired significant expertise in cutting different materials. The reasoning is that as much convenience as a full chisel would provide, it would come with a similar added risk. 

Due to the high kickback rate of the full chisel, it cannot be handled and withstood by a noob. Thus, using this type of chainsaw is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Semi-Chisel 

As the name provides for this type of chisel, “semi,” compared to a full chisel, they are less effective in delivering their purpose. However, through any means, we do not intend to imply that they won’t work or will not cut wood or another material. 

They also cut all types of material but simply state that semi-chisel work is confined to the domestic field of work. They have a reduced kickback rate, and the design of the semi-chisel permits the chainsaw to be continued being used without the need to sharpen it arising anytime soon. 

Differences 

Taking a look into full chisel vs. semi chisel from an overview, it is rare that you will encounter any differences because they almost look identical. Therefore, if you want to examine what is different within them, you must look within thin lines and observe the nitty and gritty of each corner of a chisel.

As we want you to not go into such details and know the variations between them conveniently, we will categorize how they differ while we distinguish between them. 

Differing Cutting Manner 

The way in which the outcome will result is going to be different every time you choose to employ either a full or a semi-chisel. This is because a full chisel has been designed to cut complex objects that are not easy to cut through. 

In contrast, the semi-chisel will help you in cutting anything. As the primary use of a semi-chisel chain is in the domestic sector, there is no possible thing that comes to your mind from this field that this chisel cannot slash.

With all this being said, the edges of the wood or material used for your chisel will also be divergent with one having sharpened and smooth edges and, on the other hand, the other with rough edges. 

Varying kickback rate 

Another determining factor for distinguishing between a full chisel and a semi-chisel is their kickback rate. A comprehensible definition for a kickback is the unpredicted upward movement at the guide bar as soon as the rear part of the nose bar strikes the object, and the chainsaw chain jerks for a moment. 

That is precisely kickback and is witnessed in both types of chisels. However, what is different about the witnessed kickbacks in a full chisel and a semi-chisel is the intensity at which they occur. 

In a full chisel, the kickback is solid and robust, whereas, in comparison to a semi-chisel, the kickback would have moderate pressure. The instant jerk in the chainsaw will not throw you off your guard as expected with a full chisel. 

Level Of Sharpness, 

This difference in the sharpness of both a full chisel and a semi-chisel is easy to understand. Previously we stated that a full chisel is primarily a piece of equipment necessary for those who work professionally; therefore, possessing a high sharpness is pretty self-explanatory. 

These professionals have the expertise and the management style to make use of this sharpness productively without an occurring threat to them injuring themselves. However, with a semi-chisel, the sharpness you will encounter will be reduced. 

Chisel will be sharp but not as sharp as the full chisel, with apparent reasons for the sharpness to differ. 

Sharpness Maintenance 

Even though it has yet to be identified why a full chisel would not retain its edge for a long time, our closest guess is that this happens because the full chisel is employed for cutting concrete materials. Therefore, it requires to be sharpened regularly. 

In the case of a semi-chisel, the sharpness remains for an extended period, and you would not have to run along with your chainsaw to get the chisel sharpened repeatedly. 

Advantages and Disadvantages 

At this point, we expect you to be aware of the differences between a full chisel and a semi-chisel. Now we will be delving further into the details of these chisels and categorizing their purposes as to whether they are an advantage or a disadvantage for you. 

Full Chisel Advantages 

• With the aggressive teeth that these chisels have has made the cutting of any material much faster. This means that any struggle that would have previously gone into using the chainsaw has now been eliminated only because of the cornered square teeth of this chain. 
• The sharp and pointed edges also assist you in carrying out your work operations with anything. Whether cutting the thick trunk of an old tree or a material the same width, your full chisel will be with you and by your side. 

Full Chisel Disadvantages 

• Using the chainsaw is risky because the full chisel has a high kickback rate. Imagine that you are immersed in your work, and while you are able to withstand most of the kickbacks that occur, one significant kickback throws you off. This can result in you sustaining severe injuries. 
• The need for the chisels to be sharpened is repetitive. After using the chisel on a few ongoing projects, the sharpness that was being delivered to you will slowly vanish, and I would demand that you get it resharpened to avoid any further inconveniences.
• With the need for being sharpened consistently, sharpening these chisels is also more challenging. You cannot do it yourself and would have to seek help from someone with more expertise in this relatively different work area. 
• Another drawback accompanying a full chisel is that it is dirt sensitive. Meaning the filth from the surrounding or wood carvings will be clogging the tiny spaces between the chisels. Therefore, you would have to sharpen the chisel and clean it thoroughly to ensure that the full chisel operates at its optimal efficiency level. 

Semi-Chisel Advantages 

• Even though a semi-chisel will not cut through a complicated piece of wood, it would be cutting a piece that is filthy or has been coated in dirt. This is because of the specific design of the chisels that they have been manufactured in. 
• Chisels in a semi-chain will not lose their sharpness; instead, they will retain it, helping you work non-stop on your projects. 
• The kickback risk is also lower, meaning that the threat of you sustaining an injury is minimal. Regardless, you should be cautious with the kickbacks and must always maintain your balance. 
• If you ever lose hold of the sharpened chisels, you can point them quite easily on your own instead of resorting to helping another person. 

Semi-Chisel Disadvantages 

• The only drawback encountered with a semi-chisel is that the rate at which the chisel cuts is low. The cutting experience with a semi-chisel is slower and slower than that of a full chisel. So you would have to wait for the outcome when employing a semi-chisel in its use. 

Low Profile Chain

Although this section for our article is optional since we are discussing the types of chisels while distinguishing between a full and semi-chisel, why not give you an overview of the third type of chainsaw chain- low profile chain. 

If you are not a beginner using chainsaws, feel free to skip out on this section because all this information is not of your concern and entirely unnecessary for you, so skim through it. Therefore, save your time! 

This is because low-profile chains are used by beginners and those just starting their journey with a chainsaw. The kickback rate in a low-profile chain exists at a basic level. 

Kickback is not only less intensified but comes through with such a pressure that is conveniently withstood and barely ever felt thoroughly. This is also a case for the chainsaw’s sharpness level, which is kept to a minimum not to injure any newbies. 

Tip: 

Before we leave you to your decision-making process, a tip that would help you finalize your purchase of the chisel is to observe the question, “what sort of a chisel do I need?”

Answering this would help you analyze whether a full or a semi-chisel aligns perfectly with your needs. Or you can list your needs and then check them against our article. First with the description and then with the stated advantages and disadvantages. 

Lastly, take a final look to see which one is winning in terms of your needs, and that would be the chisel for you! 

Conclusion 

We have made sure to cover anything that could have been relevant in discriminating between a full chisel and Vs semi-chisel. Additionally, to aid all our readers in finalizing the chisel, they aspire to have and the one that would be compatible with their work, we have also listed the advantages and disadvantages of each type.