Chainsaw Bars for Stihl 064AV

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

I heat with wood so I'm no professional here.  I've come to the conclusion that my 3/8 x .050 x 84 DL Stihl Bar (25") is wore out.  It was on the saw when I aquired it.  I want to buy a good bar without spending alot of money.  Is there one bar out there that is way better than the rest?  Is there one bar out there that is pure junk?  I want this bar to last for several seasons.  I'd step up to a 28" but I already have 4 good 84 DL chains.  If anyone knows the price of the Stihl bar &  I'll try to find out the price this week when I get over to my dealer so I can add it .  I've made it so you can change votes, vote for all of them if you think all are good choices.  Thanks for your input.

[Rocky_J]

The pro-lite bar is not as good as the others listed, it is a laminated bar (3 pieces of steel sandwiched together) instead of a 1 piece solid bar.

The Stihl bars are quite good, but usually more expensive than your other choices here in the US. Oregon is the most popular replacement bar but I've found almost all the premium brand bars are quite good.

I would pick any of the three brands you listed. GB is another very good brand of bar if you happen to have a source near you.

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

While I went with a Stihl Rollomatic ES ( 3003 000 4030 ) for $60.99.  It's still 25" & 84DL like the old Stihl bar (3003 000 9630 ) but the new bar is wider through the middle & narrower at the tip.  I'm thinking the difference in shape  was to make it a green label bar ( reduced kickback ) & my guess would be that the old bar was a yellow label bar.

[Mad Professor]

If the tip is good and the groove is not hogged out on your old bar have you considered truing the rails with vertical belt grinder?  I've recused a few that people were chucking into the scrap heap.

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

If the tip is good and the groove is not hogged out on your old bar have you considered truing the rails with vertical belt grinder?  I've recused a few that people were chucking into the scrap heap.

Unfortunately the groove is hogged & it has been trued up several times over the bars 15+ years of tree removal.

[Cut4fun]

I have a brand new ES 25" wide nose 3/8 050 hanging on the wall never used and then a very used ES 25" narrow nose.   In the middle they both seem the same. I could go check and get #'s off them if you need. I think the new 25" ES 3/8 050 was in the $75 range out the door  last time I checked.

[SawTroll]

The pro-lite bar is not as good as the others listed, it is a laminated bar (3 pieces of steel sandwiched together) instead of a 1 piece solid bar.

The Stihl bars are quite good, but usually more expensive than your other choices here in the US. Oregon is the most popular replacement bar but I've found almost all the premium brand bars are quite good.

I would pick any of the three brands you listed. GB is another very good brand of bar if you happen to have a source near you.

Yes!   

I'd take the Stihl ES bar if the price is anywhere close to the others (it isn't here  :()

[SawTroll]

The pro-lite bar is not as good as the others listed, it is a laminated bar (3 pieces of steel sandwiched together) instead of a 1 piece solid bar.

The Stihl bars are quite good, but usually more expensive than your other choices here in the US. Oregon is the most popular replacement bar but I've found almost all the premium brand bars are quite good.

I would pick any of the three brands you listed. GB is another very good brand of bar if you happen to have a source near you.

Yes!   

I'd take the Stihl ES bar if the price is anywhere close to the others (it isn't here  :().