Firewood saws
Cutting firewood to length is called bucking, and it is simple, repetitive and dangerous. The right saw depends on how much wood you cut, how far it is from an outlet and how big your rounds are.
Corded saws are cheap and light and need an outlet. Battery saws are quiet, and the listed cuts on a 4x4 translate to far fewer rounds. Gas saws go anywhere and ask for fuel mixing and care.
Read the maximum log length first. An 18 inch stove wants about 16 inch wood, and an 11 inch cabin stove needs wood cut specially.
A sharp chain cuts with its own weight. The Oregon sharpens itself on the saw in 3 to 5 seconds, according to its listing. A dull chain makes dust instead of chips and invites you to force the saw.
Cut on a sawbuck or a log stand. Never hold a log with your foot, and never cut above shoulder height. Read the kickback section of the manual.
18 in bar · 15 A · 3.5 HP in the table · PowerSharp · auto oiler · 1 gallon bar oil included
A corded 18 inch saw that sharpens its own chain in seconds, sold in a bundle with a gallon of bar oil.
Best for: Someone bucking firewood near the house.
≈ $166
18 in · 15 A · 41 ft/s chain · auto oiler · kickback brake · two-year warranty
A corded 18 inch saw with a 15 A motor, a kickback brake, an auto oiler and a two-year warranty.
Best for: A budget buyer with occasional firewood to cut.
≈ $72
16 in · 56V 2.5Ah · 40cc gas equivalent · up to 130 cuts on a 4x4 · IPX4 · 9 lb
A battery saw with a stated 40cc gas equivalent and up to 130 cuts on a 4x4, with 671 ratings at 4.6 out of 5.
Best for: A homeowner who wants to cut away from the house with no gas.
≈ $249
18 in · 50cc X-Torq · 3 HP · Smart Start · LowVib · 14.3 lb
A serious saw: a 50cc Husqvarna with low vibration and easy starting, for those who cut cords, not armloads.
Best for: Anyone cutting several cords a year away from power.
≈ $450
A little longer than your largest round, in most cases 16 to 18 inches.
Shorter than your firebox. Check your stove’s maximum log length, and cut a few inches under it.
Yes. Wear chaps, eye and ear protection, gloves and boots.
For heating: Someone bucking firewood near the house.
Where it does best: Sharpens on the saw
Where it does worst: Cord limits your range
For heating: A budget buyer with occasional firewood to cut.
Where it does best: About $72 for an 18 in corded saw
Where it does worst: 4.0 out of 5 from 130 ratings
For heating: A homeowner who wants to cut away from the house with no gas.
Where it does best: No cord, no gas
Where it does worst: Runtime is short on large rounds
For heating: Anyone cutting several cords a year away from power.
Where it does best: A long-established chainsaw brand
Where it does worst: About $450
$106 – $166
3 models
The stoves here are taken from the catalog of this site. Specifications are the ones the manufacturer states and the ones on the Amazon page; prices are readings from Amazon.com and move often, and both change. Ranking rests on declared specifications, on stated strengths weighed against stated limits, and on price. No stove here has been lit by us, and nothing on this page suggests it has.
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