Full chisel and half chisel: differences in saw chains

Wood as a fuel definitely has a future. No wonder: It is considered a particularly sustainable and climate-friendly form of heating. If you want to save money, or have to, you can usually not avoid cutting the firewood yourself in the forest with a chainsaw. The type of saw chain you use plays a role here. Full chisels and half chisels are available for different requirements.

Saw chain

Traditionally, the tree trunks in the forest are cut with a chainsaw. The tool is also used to cut the trunk into smaller units. This is made possible by a so-called saw chain. It rests on the saw bar and is driven by the motor. A saw chain is a typical endless chain. It consists of individual links that together form a closed system. There are three types of members:

• Drive links through which the drive force of the pinion is transmitted to the chain
• Cutting links that are responsible for the actual cut
• Connecting links that interconnect the drive links and cutting links

While drive links and connecting links are essentially the same on every saw chain, the cutting links come in two basic designs - namely, a full chisel and a half chisel. They differ in shape and thus also in applicability. Since the cutting members are responsible for the cut, they are of course of particular importance. The intensity of the cut is in turn dependent on the shape of the limbs. And finally, the shape also plays a role when it comes to re-sharpening it at regular intervals.

Tip: When buying a chainsaw, factors such as its performance, its weight and the length of the saw bar traditionally play a role. With the saw chain you usually have the choice whether it should be a full or a half chisel chain.

Half chisel

Each cutting link has a so-called roof cutting edge that runs forward. In the case of a half-chisel chain, this roof cutting edge is rounded. This leads to the fact that the link penetrates the wood relatively softly and not very aggressively. This also reduces

the kickback of the entire saw when cutting. At the same time, this type of cutting link is also very insensitive. It usually does not become dull at the slightest contact with earth or a stone. Regrinding the link is not particularly complicated either. A half chisel chain is therefore particularly suitable for:

• Beginners in using a chainsaw
• rather smaller chainsaws
• Trees with a relatively thin trunk
• the more occasional use
• smaller amounts of wood to be cut
• Inexperienced in chain grinding

Expressed differently

A half chisel chain is the ideal choice for anyone who does not need or want to cut wood as professionals. Due to the lower setback that is inevitably associated with it, working with it is more pleasant and also safer. These two aspects in particular play a crucial role for occasional lumberjacks. For those who only want to cut their firewood supplies occasionally, this chain shape is clearly the best choice.

Note: Even those who do not re-sharpen their saw chain themselves, but take it to a professional to sharpen it, benefit from the semi-chisel chain. Since the effort is limited with her, sharpening is usually cheaper.

Full chisel

While the saw tooth is rounded at the front in the half chisel, it tapers to a point in the variant known as the full chisel. This means: the cutting element penetrates the wood much harder and more aggressively. However, this also leads to a major setback. Cutting with this type of saw chain therefore usually requires

more strength and a lot of experience. The full chisel is ideal for:

• Professionals
• powerful chainsaws (3 to 4 kW)
• use in winter (frozen logs)
• larger amounts of wood

In general, it can be said that the full chisel variant brings more performance. Dealing with it is, however, a lot more difficult or rather difficult. more complex than the one with the half-chisel chain. There is also a very crucial aspect: the very sharp saw teeth of the cutting links are very sensitive. Often a brief penetration into the ground is enough, which can happen relatively easily when cutting in the forest, in order to make it completely blurred. Then only re-sharpening helps. Unfortunately, this is a lot more complicated and therefore takes a lot of time. Not to mention the right grinding technique. For these reasons, a full chisel chain is not particularly suitable for beginners. It is mainly used in professional forest work.

a practice

If you want to cut wood yourself in a forest today, you need a so-called chainsaw license. This certificate is only issued if you have previously trained to use the chainsaw and have undergone professional instruction. There are also courses lasting several hours in which the use of half-chisel and full-chisel saw chains is practiced. The differences between the two types of chain can be experienced immediately. As a rule, the training is sufficient to be able to work relatively easily with a half-chisel chain. Working with a full chisel chain, on the other hand, requires several years of practice with the half chisel.