Little Beaver chainsaw chain and bar review

This review explores the performance of Ducar’s “Little Beaver” chainsaw chains and bars, which are marketed as a budget-friendly alternative to premium brands like Husqvarna.

While Jim initially noted the lightweight steel construction and low price, testing revealed that the equipment performed surprisingly well during heavy woodcutting tasks. Out of the box, the chain lost its edge after roughly one tank of fuel, but its durability significantly improved once manually sharpened in the shop. Afterwhich, the affordable chain matched the longevity and output of more expensive OEM versions, successfully processing large quantities of hardwood. Jim concludes that despite the low cost, the product offers excellent value and reliability for homeowners or high-volume users. Even though these components are half the price of industry leaders, they demonstrate comparable efficiency when maintained correctly.

According to the video, the Ducar “Little Beaver” bar and chain combo is considered a “pretty good buy” and worth the price, especially for those looking for a budget-friendly alternative to OEM brands like Husqvarna.

Key factors contributing to its value include:

• Significant Cost Savings: I purchased six chains and a bar for $112 Canadian (including tax and shipping). Individually, the chains cost approximately $16 and the bar $12, which is roughly half the price of Husqvarna chains.
• Performance After Sharpening: While the chains cut “okay” out of the box, they only lasted for about half a cord before dulling. However, once sharpened in a shop, the performance improved significantly, lasting for about a full cord and performing on par with a resharpened Husqvarna chain.
• Quality and Tension: Despite being lighter in weight than premium brands, the chain held its tension remarkably well. After running through a full tank of gas, it showed less slack than even some new Husqvarna or Oregon chains typically do.
• Smooth Cutting: The combo provided a smooth cut on various hardwoods, including maple and birch, though it struggled slightly more with ash.

Conclusion: The quality is “on par” with more expensive brands after an initial sharpening, it is “hard to beat” for the price.