Anatomy of a chain saw

Essential features to look for when buying

When you're buying a chain saw, there are some key safety and convenience features you'll want on your saw. The list of features below and our illustration of the ideal saw highlight those elements and will help you make the right choice. Tested models (Ratings are available to subscribers) that lack a particular feature are indicated.

1. Bar-tip guard

A steel attachment that covers the nose of the bar, limiting the cutting area in which most kickback is generated. A tip guard shortens the usable length of a bar by about 1 1/2 inches.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Craftsman 34107, Craftsman 34116, Craftsman 35082, Craftsman 36068, Husqvarna 137, Husqvarna 142, Husqvarna 316, Makita UC 4000, Poulan 1420, Poulan ES350, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan P4018WT, Poulan PP3816AV, Poulan Pro 400E, Remington 107625-02, Remington M15014AS, Stihl MSE140c-BQ, Stihl MS 180-C-BE, Stihl MSE180C-BQ, Stihl MS250 C-BE

2. Case or sheath

Covers the entire saw or just the guide bar and chain, protecting you from the sharp cutting teeth when the saw is being transported or stored.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Craftsman 34107, Craftsman 34116, Echo CS-305-14, Echo CS-370-16, John Deere CS46, Poulan 1420, Poulan ES350, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan Pro 400E, Remington 107625-02, Remington M15014AS

3. Chain brake

This brake, which engages when the handguard is contacted or activates automatically via an inertial system, stops the chain almost instantly.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Craftsman 34116, Poulan 1420, Poulan ES350, Ryobi RY43006, Remington 107625-02, Remington M15014AS

4. Chain catcher (not shown)

A metal extension beneath the guide bar that keeps a thrown chain from flying rearward towards the user. Present on all tested models.

5. Reduced-kickback bar (antikickback bar)

A bar with a narrow tip or nose that limits the cutting area in which most kickback is generated.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34107, John Deere CS46, Stihl MSE140c-BQ, Stihl MSE180C-BQ, Stihl MS250 C-BE

6. Reduced-kickback chain (anti-kickback chain)

This type of chain has extra guard links that keep the cutting teeth from taking too large a bite. Present on all tested models.

7. Trigger lockout

This palm switch or button must be depressed before the throttle trigger will operate, preventing accidental engagement. Present on all tested models.

8. Wraparound front handle

A continuous handle that curves downwards, allowing you to comfortably hold the saw and easily switch between sideways and horizontal cutting grips.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Poulan 1420, Remington M15014AS

9. Anti-vibration feature (not shown)

Rubber bushings or metal springs between the handle and the engine, bar, and chain minimize vibration and user fatigue.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 36068, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan P4018WT

10. Automatic chain oiler (not shown)

Lubricates the bar and chain automatically using an internal pump rather than a plunger that must be depressed manually.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Poulan 1420, Remington M15014AS

11. Effective bucking spikes

These sharp metal points protruding from the body of the saw near the base of the bar bite into logs and act as a fulcrum, allowing you to lever the bar and chain downward for cutting logs secured in a sawbuck, or log stand.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Craftsman 35082, Craftsman 36068, Echo CS-305-14, Homelite UT10947E, Husqvarna 137, Husqvarna 142, Husqvarna 316, Poulan 1420, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan PP3816AV, Poulan P4018WT

12. Tool-free chain adjuster

A hand-operated wheel-and-crank mechanism that unlocks and locks the chain bar and moves it in and out, allowing you to adjust chain tension without loosening adjustment nuts or turning adjustment screws.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 34104, Craftsman 34116, Craftsman 35082, Craftsman 36068, Echo CS-305-14, Echo CS-370-16, Homelite UT10947E, Husqvarna 137, Husqvarna 142, Husqvarna 316, John Deere CS46, Makita UC 4000, Poulan 1420, Poulan ES350, Poulan P4018WT, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan PP3816AV, Poulan Pro 400E, Remington 107625-02, Remington M15014AS, Ryobi RY43006

13. Translucent oil tank

A clear tank lets you easily check the bar-oil reservoir.

The following models lack this feature

Craftsman 35082, Craftsman 36068, Echo CS-305-14, Echo CS-370-16, Homelite UT10947E, Husqvarna 137, Husqvarna 142, John Deere CS46, Poulan P3314WS, Poulan PP3816AV, Poulan P4018WT, Stihl MS 250 C-BE