Oregon is unusual here: it is far better known for the chains and bars fitted to other manufacturers' saws than for its own machines. If you own a chainsaw of almost any brand, there is a good chance the chain on it says Oregon.
They do build complete saws, and the interesting one is the corded OREGON CS1400 2400 W Electric Chainsaw Review, a 2,400W mains saw with a 40 cm bar and Oregon's PowerSharp self-sharpening system built in.
If you came here looking for chains rather than saws, the thing to know is that Oregon chains are sold by pitch, gauge and drive link count, and those three numbers are stamped on your bar.
Oregon saws we have reviewed
PowerSharp, the self-sharpening system
Oregon's distinctive feature is a sharpening stone built into the saw. Pull a lever for three to five seconds with the chain running and the stone dresses every cutter at once. It is not as good as a careful hand file, and it removes more material than filing does, but it takes seconds and happens on the job rather than on the bench.
For an occasional user who would otherwise cut with a blunt chain, which is most people, that is a real benefit: a sharp chain cuts faster, puts less strain on the motor and is considerably safer than forcing a dull one through a log.
Oregon chains and bars on other saws
Oregon supplies chains and bars as original equipment to many manufacturers and as replacements for almost all of them. To buy the right chain you need three numbers:
- Pitch: the spacing of the rivets, usually 3/8 inch low profile, 0.325 inch or 3/8 inch on domestic saws.
- Gauge: the thickness of the drive links that run in the bar groove, typically 1.1 mm, 1.3 mm or 1.5 mm.
- Drive link count: how many links go round, which is specific to the bar length and model.
All three are usually stamped on the bar near the saw body. Pitch also determines file size when you sharpen by hand: 4.0 mm for 3/8 inch low profile, 4.8 mm for 0.325 inch and 5.2 mm for full 3/8 inch.
Worth noting
Oregon's own saws are a small part of the UK market and several models have been discontinued, so availability is patchy. The chains and bars are everywhere. If you are shopping for a saw rather than a chain, the corded and cordless listings will give you more current options.
Oregon chainsaw FAQs
What is Oregon PowerSharp?
A sharpening stone built into the saw. Holding a lever for a few seconds with the chain running dresses all the cutters at once, so a dull chain is sharp again without stopping work or finding a file. It takes off more metal than hand filing and will not match a careful file job, but it keeps a chain cutting properly for people who would otherwise never sharpen at all.
Do Oregon chains fit any chainsaw?
Oregon makes chains for virtually every saw on the market, but a given chain only fits the bars it was made for. Match three numbers: pitch, gauge and drive link count, all usually stamped on your bar. Get any of them wrong and the chain either will not seat in the groove or will not run round the sprocket.
How do I know which Oregon chain I need?
Read the bar. Near the saw body it carries the cutting length, the pitch and the gauge, and often the drive link count. If the markings are worn away, count the drive links on the old chain and measure the pitch across three rivets divided by two. Taking the old chain to a dealer is the quickest route.
Is the Oregon CS1400 any good?
It is a strong mains saw: 2,400W with a 40 cm bar is near the top of what a domestic socket supports, and the built-in PowerSharp system is genuinely useful. As with any corded saw, the limitation is the cable rather than the cutting. Check current availability, since Oregon's saw range in the UK has thinned out.
What file size do Oregon chains need?
It follows the pitch: 4.0 mm for 3/8 inch low profile, 4.8 mm for 0.325 inch and 5.2 mm for full 3/8 inch. Take the depth gauges down with a flat file and a gauge tool every few sharpenings, or the cutters cannot reach the wood even when sharp.
