Skip to Content

How much do chainsaw chains cost?

In this blog post, we will look at the cost of different replacement chainsaw blades and compare them. What does a Full Chisel chain cost? What does a carbide-tipped chain cost?

We will also look compare several chain brands to see what brand is cheaper and what brand is more expensive. The last part of this blog post looks into the cost of several chainsaw services, like sharpening your chain.

How much do chainsaw blades cost?

The actual cost per chain depends on many factors like the type and the number of drive links. Our research shows that there can be a big price difference between brands. In general, WoodlandPRO is a cheaper brand, followed by Oregon and Husqvarna. Stihl is the more expensive chain in most types we have looked at. For Carbide tipped chains Rapco was almost 50% more expensive than a Stihl chain. Looking at the price per drive link a linear increase can be seen.

Cost of chainsaw blades by types:

We have checked the various prices for the different types of chainsaw chains. You should see these prices as an indication of how much you have to pay for a certain chain. As we will see later the cost can vary by more than 100% from brand to brand.

● Full Chisel Chain

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
Full Chisel Chain
45
$14
 
68
$19
 
72
$20

● Semi-chisel Chain

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
Semi-chisel
44
$12
 
56
$16
 
72
$20

● Ripping chainsaw chain

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
Ripping chainsaw chain
60
$30
 
72
$35
 
84
$43
 
93
$50
 
105
$55
 
115
$60

● Low-profile chain

Chain TypeDrive linksAverage priceLow-profile chain39$11 44$12 52$15 62$18

● Micro-Lite Narrow-Kerf Cutting System

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
Micro-Lite Narrow-Kerf Cutting System
28
$9
 
64
$20
 
66
$22

● High-performance chain

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
High-performance chain
72
$20

● Carbide tipped chain

Chain Type
Drive links
Average price
Carbide tipped chain
66
$145
 
72
$160
 
84
$185

Is there a difference in price per chain brand?

To see the diffrence in price between brands we have looked at 9 different chains and compared the price for similar chains.

● Chisel Chain

We looked at chains with the following characteristics:

  • Length: 20″ (50 cm)
  • Pitch: 3/8″ (.375)
  • Gauge: .050″ (1.3 mm)

– 60 Drive links

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$14
Oregon
$17
Stihl
$26
Husqvarna
$23

– 72 Drive links

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$17
Oregon
$20
Stihl
$36
Husqvarna
$28

● Semi-Chisel Chain

We looked at chains with the following characteristics:

  • Length: 20″ (50 cm)
  • Pitch: .325″
  • Gauge: .050″ (1.3 mm)

– 66 Drive links

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$15
Oregon
$17
Stihl
$25
Husqvarna
$23

– 72 Drive links

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$17
Oregon
$19
Stihl
$27
Husqvarna
$23

● Carbide tipped chain low profile

We looked at chains with the following characteristics:

  • Length: 16″ (40cm)
  • Pitch: 3/8″ (.375)
  • Gauge: .050″ (1.3mm)

– 44 Drive links – Low profile

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$34
Stihl
$50

– 56 Drive links – Low profile

Brand
Average price
WoodlandPRO
$43
Stihl
$63

● Carbide tipped chain

We looked at chains with the following characteristics:

  • Length: 16″ (40cm)
  • Pitch: 3/8″ (.375)
  • Gauge: .050″ (1.3mm)

– 60 Drive links

Brand
Average price
Stihl
$87
Rapco
$120

– 72 Drive links

Brand
Average price
Stihl
$104
Rapco
$170

– 105 Drive links

Brand
Average price
Stihl
$152
Rapco
$200

● Conclusion price difference per brand

From the comparison, it is clear that there can be big differences between brands from more than 100%. Of course, the quality from a more expensive brand can be higher than from a cheaper brand, but we think this does not justify the huge differences.

From our research, we see that in general WoodlandPRO is a cheaper brand, followed by Oregon and Husqvarna. Stihl is the more expensive chain brand in most types we have looked at. But for Carbide-tipped chains, Rapco was almost 50% more expensive than a Stihl chain.

Price difference between the amount of drive links

We looked at the difference in price for a certain brand and type to see if a chain with more drive links is relatively more expensive. We checked this for 3 specific chains:

● WoodlandPRO 20SC (.325″ x .050″) Semi-Chisel Chainsaw Chain

For the WoodlandPro chain, the price per drive link is between $0.23 and $0,24 and does not change if the chain has more links. The only remarkable point is that chains with a number of drive links that are close had a similar price. You can see that in the graph as the line is horizontal in those cases.

● Chisel: Oregon 72LPX (3/8″ x .050″) PowerCut Chainsaw Chain

For Oregon, the price per drive link is between $0.28 and $0,30 and does not change if the chain has more links. Similar to the WoodlandPro there was a similar chain price for those with a number of drive links that are close.

● Stihl 33RD3 (3/8″ x .050″) Carbide Saw Chain

The last chain we looked at is a carbide one. Of course, the price per drive link is much higher with between $1.44 and $1.45 per drive link. For the carbide chain, the price increases linearly for a chain with more drive links.

How much do chainsaw chain sharpening and other chainsaw services cost?

We have researched the cost for various Chainsaw services in the USA, like sharpening your chainsaw chain.

● Cost of Chainsaw services

Service
Remark
Average price
Blade Sharpening
on the chainsaw
$9
 
off the chainsaw
$5
Bar Reconditioning
on the chainsaw
$15
 
off the chainsaw
$10
Flush of fuel tank
 
$10
Flush of oil tank
 
$10

Cost of installation of new replacement parts on your old chainsaw:

Service
Average price
Remark
Installation rewind spring installation
$15
 
Installation oil filter cap
$5
 
Installation fuel filter cap
$5
 
Installation bar cover
$5
 
Installation rewind assembly
$5
 
Installation Chain oiler
$25
includes repair of the chainsaw bar and clutch/sprocket system and cleaning of bar mounting area
Installation of new sprocket
$15
includes repair of chain and saw bar and cleaning of bar mounting area
Installation New clutch
$15
includes repair of chain and saw bar and cleaning of bar mounting area
Installation of new chain
 
includes cleaning of bar mounting area
Installation of new air filter
$5
includes removal of excess dust and dirt
Installation of a new rewind rope
$15
 
..