Best Chainsaw Chain for Hickory Firewood (2026): 5 Picks
Five chainsaw chains for hickory firewood compared by bar length, pitch, gauge, drive links, cutter type and safety listings.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallE & S 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 6 Pack9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Full ChiselStriver 18 Inch Chainsaw Chain9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Best 4-PackO-CONN 10 Inch Chainsaw Chain 4 Pack9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Best Small SawTowiac 8 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
Longest BarHaokixin 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack9.4/10View on Amazon - 6
20-Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8" Pitch .050 Gauge 76DLView on Amazon - 7
KAKEI 36 Inch Chainsaw Ripping Chain 3/8" Pitch .063" GaugeView on Amazon - 8
2 Pack EGO 18 Inch Chainsaw ChainView on Amazon - 9
3 Pack Milwaukee Pole Saw Chain 10 Inch for M18 2825-20View on Amazon - 10
Husqvarna Chainsaw Chain 18-Inch .050 Gauge .325 Pitch LowView on Amazon
The best chainsaw chain for hickory firewood is one that stays sharp through dense hardwood, matches your bar exactly and carries a stated kickback standard. Hickory is hard on chains, so cutter type and steel matter more than they do for pine. We compared five chains by bar length, pitch, gauge, drive links, cutter type and safety listings.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall E & S 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 6 Pack: 6-pack, German steel, ANSI and CSA stated Check price on Amazon
- Best Full Chisel Striver 18 Inch Chainsaw Chain: 18 in full chisel for hardwood, heat-treated Check price on Amazon
- Best 4-Pack O-CONN 10 Inch Chainsaw Chain 4 Pack: 10 in semi-chisel, low-kickback, 4 chains Check price on Amazon
- Best Small Saw Towiac 8 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack: 8 in 3-pack, ANSI kickback standard stated Check price on Amazon
- Longest Bar Haokixin 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack: 20 in 3-pack for bigger saws Check price on Amazon
The picks
6 Pack 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8" LP Pitch .050"
A 6-pack of 16 in semi-chisel chains, 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge, 55 drive links, made from German steel with hard chrome plating. The listing states ANSI B175.1-2012 and CSA Z62.3 compliance.
Pros
- Six chains in the box, the most here
- German steel with hard chrome plating stated
- ANSI B175.1-2012 and CSA Z62.3 stated
- Fits a long list of Stihl, McCulloch, Craftsman and Poulan models
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 16 in bar only, not for bigger saws
- Listing makes sharpness claims we cannot verify
- Verify gauge before buying, per the listing
Striver 18 Inch Chainsaw Chain Low Kickback Saw
An 18 in full chisel chain, 3/8 in pitch, .050 in gauge, 62 drive links, with heat-treated steel and a low kickback design. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Full chisel cutters for aggressive hardwood cutting
- 18 in bar suits mid-size firewood saws
- Heat-treated steel stated for longer edge life
- Low kickback design stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Only one chain in the box
- Full chisel dulls faster in dirty wood
- Must match 3/8 in pitch, .050 in gauge, 62 drive links exactly
O-CONN 4 Pack 10 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8" LP Pitch
A 4-pack of 10 in semi-chisel chains, 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge, 40 drive links, with hardened rivets and a low-kickback, low-vibration design. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Four chains in the box
- Fits many 10 in saws: Worx, Sun Joe, Remington, Echo and more
- Hardened rivets and hard chrome outer layer stated
- Low-kickback, low-vibration design stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 10 in bar only, for small saws
- Not for full-size firewood saws
- Must match 40 drive links exactly
8 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack,050" Gauge
A 3-pack of 8 in semi-chisel chains, 3/8 in LP pitch, .050 in gauge, 33 drive links, made from German steel. The listing states it meets ANSI B175.1-2012 for kickback.
Pros
- Three chains in the box
- Meets ANSI B175.1-2012 kickback requirement, per the listing
- German steel with heat treatment stated
- Fits many pole saw and small saw brands
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 8 in bar only, for pole saws and small saws
- Not for bucking firewood rounds
- Must match 33 drive links exactly
3 PCS 20 inch Chainsaw Chain 0.325" Pitch 0.058"
A 3-pack of 20 in chains, 0.325 in pitch, .058 in gauge, 76 drive links, for Husqvarna, Stihl, Poulan and more. The bullets mention carbide in a confusing way. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Three chains in the box
- 20 in length for full-size saws
- Fits Husqvarna, Stihl, Homelite, Poulan and more
- Hard chrome outer layer stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No safety certification stated
- Bullets mention carbide in a confusing way
- Must match 0.325 in pitch, .058 in gauge, 76 drive links exactly
More options to compare
20-Inch Chainsaw Chain 3/8" Pitch .050 Gauge 76DLCheck price on Amazon
KAKEI 36 Inch Chainsaw Ripping Chain 3/8" Pitch .063" GaugeCheck price on Amazon
2 Pack EGO 18 Inch Chainsaw ChainCheck price on Amazon
3 Pack Milwaukee Pole Saw Chain 10 Inch for M18 2825-20Check price on Amazon
Husqvarna Chainsaw Chain 18-Inch .050 Gauge .325 Pitch LowCheck price on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Model | Woodlot Score | Bar | Pitch/Gauge | Drive links | Cutter | Safety stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E & S 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 6 Pack | 9.7/10 | 16 in | 3/8 in LP / .050 in | 55 | Semi-chisel | ANSI B175.1-2012, CSA Z62.3 |
| Striver 18 Inch Chainsaw Chain | 9.6/10 | 18 in | 3/8 in / .050 in | 62 | Full chisel | Low kickback |
| O-CONN 10 Inch Chainsaw Chain 4 Pack | 9.6/10 | 10 in | 3/8 in LP / .050 in | 40 | Semi-chisel | Low-kickback |
| Towiac 8 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack | 9.5/10 | 8 in | 3/8 in LP / .050 in | 33 | Semi-chisel | ANSI B175.1-2012 |
| Haokixin 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack | 9.4/10 | 20 in | 0.325 in / .058 in | 76 | Full complement | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 23 October 2026. Match pitch, gauge and drive link count exactly to your bar.
How we scored them
The Woodlot Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. Safety points go only to what the listing states: the E and S names ANSI and CSA, the Towiac names ANSI, and the O-CONN and Striver state low kickback. None of the five states a warranty term. See How We Pick for the weights.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E & S 16 Inch Chainsaw Chain 6 Pack | 9.7 | 33 | 22 | 22 | 8 | 0 |
| Striver 18 Inch Chainsaw Chain | 9.6 | 32 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| O-CONN 10 Inch Chainsaw Chain 4 Pack | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| Towiac 8 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack | 9.5 | 28 | 19 | 20 | 7 | 0 |
| Haokixin 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain 3 Pack | 9.4 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
How to choose the best chainsaw chain for hickory firewood
Match the chain to your bar exactly
Pitch, gauge and drive link count must match your bar and sprocket. The five here run from 8 in pole saw chains to a 20 in full-size chain, with pitches of 3/8 in LP, 3/8 in and 0.325 in. Check the numbers stamped on your old chain or bar before ordering; a close match is not a match.
Full chisel vs semi-chisel for hickory
Full chisel cutters, like the Striver lists, bite aggressively into clean hardwood and cut fastest. Semi-chisel, like the E and S, O-CONN and Towiac list, holds its edge longer in dirty or frozen wood. For hickory firewood, full chisel is the faster cutter if your wood is clean; semi-chisel is the forgiving choice. Our chisel vs micro chisel guide goes deeper.
Buy spares, not single chains
Hickory dulls chains, and a dull chain is a dangerous chain. The E and S 6-pack, O-CONN 4-pack, Towiac 3-pack and Haokixin 3-pack all give you spares; only the Striver is a single. Keep a sharp spare in the truck so a dull chain never ends the day. Keep them cutting with the best chainsaw sharpener.
What the safety words mean
ANSI B175.1-2012 is the kickback standard for chainsaw chains. The E and S and Towiac listings state compliance. Low-kickback, stated by the O-CONN and Striver, means the chain is designed to reduce kickback force. None of these replace good technique and protective gear.
Wear cut-resistant chaps, a helmet with face screen and hearing protection, gloves and sturdy boots. Know where the kickback zone is (the upper tip of the bar), keep the chain brake working and the chain sharp, and never cut alone in the woods. Felling trees is hazardous work: hire a professional for large, leaning or storm-damaged trees, especially near buildings or power lines. See OSHA logging safety for chain saw operators. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chain is best for cutting hickory?
A sharp chain that matches your bar, in full chisel for clean wood or semi-chisel for dirty wood. The Striver lists full chisel; the E and S, O-CONN and Towiac list semi-chisel.
How do I know what chain my saw needs?
Read the pitch, gauge and drive link count off your old chain or the bar. All three must match; the five here cover 3/8 in LP, 3/8 in and 0.325 in pitches.
How often should I sharpen a chainsaw chain?
When it stops throwing chips and starts making dust, or when you have to push. See how often to sharpen for the full routine.
Can I use a pole saw chain for firewood?
Not for bucking rounds. The 8 in Towiac suits pole saws for limbing; firewood needs the longer bars here.
Related guides
See the chainsaw hub and chainsaw gear, then learn what chainsaw chain you need. For hardwood see hickory and birch vs hickory. Keep the chain cutting with the best chainsaw sharpener.
