# Should I get a chainsaw or a reciprocating saw? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029 "2005-10-26T17:51:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/1 "2005-10-26T17:51:30Z")
I am coming up with Christmas PResent ideas, and one of them is that I need a good, all-purpose saw to do things with. I have already: A bow saw for cutting limbs outdoors. Your arm turns to rubber, but it’ll eventually cut the wood. A 10" Compund miter saw (electric). Good for cutting pieces that you can move, and good a nice, precise cuts. A 7.25" Circular Saw, good for cutting plywood and such. Now, I have a fair amount of brush/big shrubs on my property that I’ll get to clearing slowly but surely. I also like to do a good deal of work inside the house. If I can (since I don’t want to break the pocketbooks of my would-be gift-givers), was thinking about getting a reciprocating saw (a “saw gun” as I like to call it) and using it in the yard on branches that are too large for my bypass loppers, but not huge tree trunks or anything. Then I’d also be able to use it around the house as necessary. Is this a bad idea? Should I just request both a chainsaw and recip saw, and let santa bring me the one he got the best deal on, or what? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/2 "2005-10-26T17:59:52Z")
If all you are going after is branches, and not whole trees, a chainsaw is kinda overkill. \*Not that there is a damn thing wrong with tool overkill. \* A nice cordless reciprocating saw will get you what you want. Just keep the saw sharp, green tree branches will quickly gum them up. Sap even more. Keep some thinner and a rag around when you are using it outside to clean up the blade. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/3 "2005-10-26T18:17:05Z")
I agree with the Nurse. Get a battery recip saw. They are much safer and _quieter_, easier to use and more versatile. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/4 "2005-10-26T18:19:21Z")
Depends … what kind of massacre are you planning? ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/5 "2005-10-26T18:20:33Z")
Ah, there’s nothing like the sight of a boy and his Sawz-All to warm yer’ heart. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/6 "2005-10-26T18:20:42Z")
I agree with **NurseCarmen**. I have a Ryobi cordless reciprocating saw and a Craftsman 16" chain saw. I get a lot more use out of the reciprocating saw. But I do use the chain saw for some small branch cutting, like when I’m giving several small trees a major haircut. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/7 "2005-10-26T18:28:29Z")
I’ve wanted the saber saw all year to cut tree limbs. I’d rather use it than a chainsaw. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/8 "2005-10-26T18:30:43Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Depends … what kind of massacre are you planning? Fiend! I wanted to say that! \< **Bosda** pouts \> ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/9 "2005-10-26T18:36:47Z")
How do I keep a recip blade sharp? Can I just put it into my electric kitchen knife sharpener? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/10 "2005-10-26T18:38:51Z")
I have a chain saw, I powered Craftman Recip and a Battery powered. The Chain Saw is the quickest and easiest way to deal with anything too big for Loppers. I learned this from hard experience. The Recip on the otherhand is more versatile and good for most type of destruction projects. Keep in mind it is wonderful for cutting up small wood, sheetrock, and metal. The Chain Saw takes more maintenance and is more prone to failure. This is something else to keep in mind. I good Recip can last forever with little work, just keep replacing the blades. A chain Saw by year 5 is old and requires lots of maintenance to get running. They are also heavy, Noisy and very dangerous compared to a Recip. I would ask for a good Corded Recip. Good Luck Jim ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/11 "2005-10-26T18:40:10Z")
> [@Harmonious Discord](#): > > I’ve wanted the saber saw all year to cut tree limbs. I’d rather use it than a chainsaw. Well, I must admit this: I have borrowed both tools in the past, and for cutting tree limbs and shrubs, and even an electric chainsaw cuts through thick limbs much more quickly than I imagine a reciprocating saw would. However, I’ll settle for something that’s just faster than my bow saw. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/12 "2005-10-26T19:00:15Z")
Well if you actually keep the blade of any saw sharp, it’ll last forever. A sharp bow saw will make quicker work of most branches 1.5" and smaller than the cordless reciprocating saw. Do NOT, even if you weren’t serious, EVER put a recip saw blade in your kitchen knife sharpener. Blades are disposable. Keep it clean with thinner (from sap) and oiled, and when it’s too dull to be effective, out it goes. Thick limbs need a larger saw, period. anything 2.5" and up, use a chain saw, and keep the blade sharp and oiled, and the motor tuned, and a good Stihl or Echo saw will keep running damn near forever. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/13 "2005-10-26T19:03:52Z")
anyone got a recent article on reliable electric chainsaws, or know which ones are more likely to be reliable? I don’t really want a gas powered one, since I’m not trucking out into the forest… ---
**Author:** ![OslerKnew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/58f4c7/32.png) [@OslerKnew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OslerKnew)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/14 "2005-10-26T19:21:02Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > electric chainsaws, or know which ones are more likely to be reliable? Haven’t used mine a great deal, so can’t speak to reliability under hard use, but the Remington 8" bar electric chain saw with pole extension is right handy for branches that are just out of reach [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004RAY2/104-9886645-5803117?v=glance](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004RAY2/104-9886645-5803117?v=glance) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/15 "2005-10-26T21:44:01Z")
> [@Winston Smith](#): > > Ah, there’s nothing like the sight of a boy and his Sawz-All to warm yer’ heart. Quote from a friend of mine: “I’d like to point out that this is not a Milwaukee Sawz-some. This is not a Milwaukee Sawz-most. _This_ is a Milwaukee Sawz **all**.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/16 "2005-10-26T23:05:13Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > How do I keep a recip blade sharp? Can I just put it into my electric kitchen knife sharpener? Your choice of screen name, the fact you’d consider frying your wife’s knife sharpener with a $4 curved tooth recipro blade & the fact you’ve specified electric, I’m a little leary of recommending the [Stihl KM 55 R Kombi](http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/accessories.html). Great (gas powered) machine. German made. Sells for $279.95 (cost=$215) with one attachment of your choice. They offer a $179.95 (cost=$141) HT75 Pole Chainsaw attachment - plus you still have 8 other attachments you can ask for each holiday. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/17 "2005-10-26T23:54:30Z")
I’d definitely recommend the reciprocating saw. About 5 or 10 years ago, my dad and I replaced all the water lines in our house with the help of a Sawz-All. That bad boy cut through galvanized pipes with ease. In contrast, my dad has owned two chainsaws. Both of them have broken after a few years. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/18 "2005-10-26T23:59:14Z")
Sounds like a recip would be best for you to me too. If you’re only doing small tree limbs, it should be ok. Don’t know about green wood though. That’s one place that a chain saw really excels. You can buy 9-12" demolition blades for it. Or shorter work blades for around the house. I have a Mikita reciprocating saw and a gas Stihl chain saw. Sometimes, for remodeling projects, you just have to have a reciprocating saw. Though there was one time I used my Stihl in the house. :eek: Make sure you open the windows first 😃 . As far as chain saws go, I have had three. A McCulla(sp), a Husqvarna, and the Stihl. The Husky was pretty darn good. But couldn’t hold a candle to the Stihl. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/19 "2005-10-27T00:11:47Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > In contrast, my dad has owned two chainsaws. Both of them have broken after a few years. Yeah, they can be touchy. For a chainsaw I really think you have to buy the very best. Well, all tools really, but that’s another thread. I’ve had my Stihl for about 8 years now. It’s never not started(even in the dead of winter), or needed anything more than cleaning the air cleaner (and sharpening the chains of course, I rotate through 3). ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029/20 "2005-10-27T02:15:53Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > … recommending the [Stihl KM 55 R Kombi](http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/accessories.html). I have one - a fine machine. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-a-chainsaw-or-a-reciprocating-saw/328029.md?page=2)