Best Chainsaws for Carving – Our Top FIVE Recommendations!

Carving is the coolest job that a chainsaw can do! Chainsaws are definitely for the cutting, felling, and logging of wood, but what’s amazing about chainsaws is that you can carve with them too!

Carving is an art that only the carvers know and of course, if you’re a carver, you wouldn’t want to risk it by using any chainsaw that comes your way. To get the best out of your skills, you definitely need a reliable, highly efficient, and best out of the best chainsaw for carving.

To make wood carvings, remember that cutting away large pieces of wood requires a big saw, while for detailing, a smaller saw and grinder are necessary.

While you can have hundreds of different options for chainsaws, it might get super confusing to make a worthy choice. And to help our readers with that, we’re here today, after detailed research on what carvers need and what you can rely on, being a woodcarver.

This article includes our reviews about the most amazing carving chainsaws from highly popular, trustworthy, and well-reputed brands. Whether you’re learning to carve and looking for the best chainsaw for a beginner, or you’re an experienced artist, you’ll find the best tool for yourself from the options we have below.

How to Carve with Chainsaw?

For the initial part of the carving process, you’ll of course be cutting a large piece of wood into one or a few smaller ones. And for that, you’ll probably use the chainsaw in the exact same way as you do while cutting a wood log. You can use a big or small chainsaw, depending on the size and diameter of the wood.

However, for the detailing, shaping, and giving textures to your article, the use of a chainsaw’s tip or half the blade from the tip side is recommended. That’s because, while working on the detailing of your carved object, you’ll have to work in narrow spaces and that’s where the tip of your chainsaw works best.

Our top FIVE Choices for Best Chainsaws for Carving

For the perfect carving practices, it’s important to make the right chainsaw choice.

We’ve shortlisted the chainsaws with chain lengths ranging between 10 to 18 inches because this range works best for making wood carvings.

Chainsaws with bigger bar and chain lengths are used for professional wood logging purposes, hence we recommend using 10 to 18-inch chainsaws for carvings that would help you with even the tiniest details of your projects.

Here we have our top five choices for chainsaws that work best for carving purposes.

1. DeWalt 20V Max XR – 12 Inch
2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher – 18 Inch
3. Black & Decker 40V Max – 12 Inch
4. Greenworks 24V – 10 Inch
5. WORX WG303.1 – 16 Inch

1. DeWalt 20V Max XR – Highly Efficient Cordless Saw

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS SAW

DeWalt is one of the top emerging chainsaw brands and is highly popular for the high-quality products they manufacture, we’d like to recommend this Max XR chainsaw by DeWalt over many other top-selling chainsaws, even the Worx WG303.1.

For around half the price, you can buy the ‘tool only’, without a battery or charger, or you can buy it as part of a kit that includes a battery and charger.

You can use the same batteries across the range of DeWalt tools that use the 20V MAX system.

ENGINE AND POWER

This DeWalt chainsaw has a powerful engine that works for hours without getting heated up or stuck. Because it isn’t a gas-powered saw, it does not experience cold starts, fumes, carburetor problems, or maintenance issues.

Powerful and durable, this battery-powered chainsaw operates efficiently. It is ideal for cutting beams, tearing down structures, carving objects, and managing tree limbs in outdoor constructions. Also, a brushless motor delivers long motor life and long runtime.

One charge of a battery with a maximum voltage of 20V will allow you to cut no less than 90 times. The battery and charger must be purchased separately, however.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHAINSAW BAR LENGTH

DeWalt 20V Max XR has a bar length of 12 inches.

OTHER FEATURES

1. Lightweight, compact, portable! This chainsaw weighs only 8.8 pounds, ensuring maximum comfort, especially when you have to carry it for a few hours during a carving session.
2. Provides proper bar clamping force with tool-free tensioning and tightening knobs.
3. A highly efficient brushless motor increases runtime and motor life.
4. The Cordless Chainsaw comes with an anti-kickback, 12-inch chain, and bar to ensure safety and convenience when cutting in construction sites and other outdoor settings.

PROS AND CONS

2. Husqvarna 455 Rancher – Perfect for Heavy Duty Works

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS SAW

Husqvarna is the world’s best-known brand for chainsaws and any saw from their product line, including this 455 Rancher won’t disappoint any user, whether it’s a carver, homeowner, or an experienced professional.

This particular model comes in both 18-inch and 20-inch bar and chain lengths.

It’s a perfect heavy-duty saw with an 18-inch bar, so you’d be able to deal with a larger diameter of wood pretty much easily.

ENGINE AND POWER

The Husqvarna 455 Rancher comes with a 2-cycle engine with an intertie-activated chain brake that ensures safety. Compared to commercial alternatives, its 55.5 CC engine appears to be much more durable.

It is highly suitable for casual weekend warriors or landowners who need a chainsaw with heavy-duty performance for various jobs. It’s easy to use, comfortable and powerful. Overall, it’s an extremely powerful saw that would cut through literally anything extremely fast and quick as compared to its competitors.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHAINSAW BAR LENGTH

Husqvarna 455 Rancher is available in 18-inch as well as 20-inch bar lengths.

OTHER FEATURES

1. With the automatic chain oiler, bar and chain oil are delivered at a steady rate for safe and effective use
2. The chain tensioning system is mounted on the side for quick, easy adjustment while working
3. Clean-up and replacement of the air filter are facilitated by the quick-release air filter
4. With other features like a low-vibration system, quick-start technology, and air injection, you’re going to enjoy a whole new carving experience!

PROS AND CONS

3. Black & Decker 40V Max – Best Value for Money

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS SAW

We’ll show you this Black & Decker chainsaw if you ask us to show you a chainsaw that is worth more than its price.

Provides maximum safety and protection with a lock-off button that prevents accidental activation.

You can also perfectly maintain your lawn and garden in addition to carving. Cordless convenience is included with the superior build.

ENGINE AND POWER

BLACK & DECKER doesn’t make chainsaws that have a lot of kickback, unlike the typical ones and this 40V chainsaw is a great example.

When it comes to power, it is capable of carving wood and dealing with logs that are about 5 to 7 inches thick. And so, even though the chainsaw is powerful, you will not experience higher kickbacks when carving wood.

Unless you regularly deal with logs thicker than 8 to 10 inches, you won’t notice the lower power compared to a gasoline chainsaw. The power of a gas-powered chainsaw will not reach its maximum capacity if you’re just trimming some branches in the garden or cutting through 2×4.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHAINSAW BAR LENGTH

This model by Black & Decker has a bar length of 12 inches.

OTHER FEATURES

1. At such an affordable price range as this saw’s, you are getting a powerful multi-function power tool with an interchangeable 40V battery.
2. Cutting efficiency is enhanced by the motor’s 2.0Amp rating. All you need is to purchase its corresponding battery from BLACK+DECKER. As a result of its powerful support, it gives you a longer running time in the woods.
3. Newbies will appreciate the tool-less tensioner, which can be adjusted more quickly and easily.
4. An automatic lubrication system is provided for lubricating both the bar and chain. This reduces friction and extends part of life. You can even see the oil level through one clear window.

PROS AND CONS

4. Greenworks 24V – Best for Trimming Trees and Branches

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS SAW

When trimming trees or cutting large hedge branches too thick for a hedge trimmer or loppers, this model is the ideal choice.

An added 4.0Ah battery and charger make it an affordable option for $199.00.

It is also equipped with a USB charger and can be used with all Greenworks 24V and 24V X2 power tools.

Comes with 10-inch as well as 12-inch bar length.

ENGINE AND POWER

For its size, it has a pretty much suitable engine with a nice power deliverance. But the fact that it’s a 10-inch bar-length saw, you can’t use it for broader tasks.

It can be used for the trimming of branches, cutting off small-diameter wood, and adding details to carving projects, but it cannot be used for continuous and stronger tasks.

Even for the carving tasks, you might need to use it for some time and then let it sit there for a few minutes before you start it again as you might notice some overheating issues in this saw.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHAINSAW BAR LENGTH

This particular 24V chainsaw by Greenworks comes in two bar lengths: 10-inch and 12-inch.

OTHER FEATURES

1. The saw cuts up to 35 times on one charge.
2. A 24V Li-ion battery (2.0 AH) is included with the saw, and even the charger is included so you won’t have to buy them separately.
3. It’s equipped with an auto oiler built into a transparent tank of oil, helping to maximize the chainsaw’s lifespan.
4. For making quick adjustments while wood carving, the tool-free chain tensioner is there to make it convenient and quick.
5. With its weight of 7.85 lbs, it provides a lot of support so you can work comfortably. Furthermore, the handle seems to be quite comfortable, and it reduces fatigue for the user.

PROS AND CONS

5. WORX WG303.1 – Great Choice for Newbies

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THIS SAW

Despite its inferiority to the Husqvarna 460 Rancher chainsaw and to the Greenworks 24V power tool, the WORX WG303.1 corded chainsaw is still a decent tool to use for carving.

Electricity will be needed to power the corded device instead of gas.

Even though the tool is solidly built, it is surprisingly lightweight. There is no difficulty, no matter if you are a novice or a casual lumberjack.

ENGINE AND POWER

This chainsaw from WORX features a 14.5 Amp motor for optimum power and performance. In comparison to traditional gas-powered chainsaws, the performance delivered is quite acceptable.

Speeds of 12 meters per second are induced by the 120V/60Hz tool, with a standard chain pitch of 3/8 inches and gauges of 0.05 inches. Because its operation is less vibrational, there is little threat of kickback.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHAINSAW BAR LENGTH

This model comes in 14-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch bar lengths.

OTHER FEATURES

1. A patented system protects the motor, bar, and chain from over-tightening and prolongs their useful lives
2. Maintains a smooth and fast chain movement around the bar at 32 feet per second. Oil level indicators alert you when it is time to change the oil
3. Quick-stop chain break prevents accidental cutting. This feature makes it one of the safer chainsaws on the market.
4. You can work comfortably for long periods without getting tired of the over-molded grip, which gives you excellent control of the saw.

PROS AND CONS

How to Choose the Best Chainsaws for Carving?

Here are a few most important things to consider that would lead to the right choice for a carving chainsaw.

Bar and Chain – The length of the bar and chain for carving purposes matters a lot. It is said that the chainsaw’s chain and carving bar are its heart and liver! Therefore, as a woodcarver, you need to be very selective when buying a chainsaw.

If you can, choose chainsaw bars with a pointed tip. Due to the pointed feature, it is often called a dime-tip bar. A length of 10 to 18 inches will be a good choice for the bar!

For the chain, most professionals recommend 0.050 gauge and 0.325 pitch chains. Especially experienced carvers should use these chains.

Gas-Powered Saws are More Recommended for Carving – Although we don’t discourage the use of battery-powered saws for carving wood, according to most professional carvers, gas-powered saws are a better choice. However, you may opt for battery-powered as well, if they seem to be a better option for you.

When you use gas-powered saws, you get superior cutting power and speed compared to other saws.

You also get more time to work within the same power when you use a gas-powered chainsaw. They can also be portable due to their lightweight. Their noise, however, can be quite disturbing.

A battery-powered chainsaw, on the other hand, can be the perfect choice for anyone always on the go. They are also portable, so you can move them from one worksite to another. This lets you keep control of your project!

For those who want endless battery life, an electric chainsaw is a good option. Electric chainsaws run all operations quietly. In addition, they are inexpensive and lightweight.

Weight and Balance – A perfectly weighed and balanced chainsaw ensures your ease of work and comfort. A bulky chainsaw won’t let you carve for a long time. Therefore, it would be best to choose a lightweight chainsaw!

Safety Features – Your primary responsibility as a beginner should be to maintain all the safety features. And so, to prevent kickbacks, find a lower kickback bar first. The low kickback bar minimizes sudden accidents by reducing vibration.

Furthermore, an automatic oiling system would provide you with an uninterrupted working environment. You would have fewer interruptions throughout the workday.

Best Chainsaws for Carving – FAQs

Summing It Up

With the above recommendations, you are sure to choose the best gear. Your carving jobs should be well served by each of the above-mentioned saws. It is easier to do the job in the first place if you have the right saw and you can’t go wrong with any of our recommended saws!

We hope that your search for the ‘best carving chainsaw’ will stop at one of our reviewed chainsaws. We’re highly hopeful that you’ll be super happy with your purchase of any of these carving chainsaws that you think would best suit your needs.