The best carbide chainsaw chain for a 20-inch bar in this roundup is the BYANE 20-Inch, the first pick for 20-inch bars that run 3/8-inch pitch. The maker says it is engineered for 20-inch guide bars with a 3/8-inch pitch and .050-inch gauge. Those three numbers, bar length, pitch and gauge, decide whether a chain fits your saw at all, so they come first when you shop. Learn more in Best Chainsaw: Choose the Right Saw for Your Work.
The chain also needs a special sharpener. The maker says its cutters need a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, and standard steel files will not effectively sharpen carbide. In daily use, a steel file in your toolbox won’t keep this chain sharp, so plan on buying the right sharpener along with the chain.
Carbide is very hard, which is why the sharpening tool matters as much as the chain. The maker notes that tungsten carbide is incredibly hard but brittle, so it can chip when it hits metal. Full-chisel cutters, which the KAKEI chain uses, are the type its maker lists for hardwood, frozen wood and dirty wood.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Item length | Chain length | Drive link count | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYANE 20-Inch | 20-inch bars with 3/8-inch pitch | 20 in | 20 in | 72 | 4.5 of 5 (560 reviews) | |
RazEdg 20-Inch | a long-lasting full-chisel chain | 20 in | 20 in | 72 | 4.5 of 5 (228 reviews) | |
KAKEI 33RS 72 | Stihl MS311 and Husqvarna 455 owners | 20 in | — | — | 4.1 of 5 (104 reviews) | |
Byane 24-Inch 3-Pack | 24-inch bars and spare chains | 24 in | 24 in | 84 | 4.7 of 5 (8 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
BYANE 20-Inch: Best for 20-inch bars with 3/8-inch pitch
BYANE 20-Inch is the first pick for owners of a 20-inch bar with 3/8-inch pitch. It is built for that exact fit: 20-inch guide bars, 3/8-inch pitch, .050-inch gauge and 72 drive links. If your saw takes that bar, you can match the chain on size without guessing.
The maker states that the cutters use patented carbide tipping and stay sharp up to 10 times longer than standard steel chains. For you, that means fewer stops to swap or file a chain during a long cleanup. The chain is also full chisel, so the cutters are square-cornered and built for cutting rather than rough chopping.
The catch is sharpening. The maker states that maintenance requires a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, and that standard steel files will not effectively sharpen carbide. Your regular round file will not work on these cutters, so the sharpener is part of the cost of owning this chain.
Pros
Fits Stihl MS290, MS311, MS362 and Husqvarna 455 Rancher saws, according to the maker.
The maker says it is aimed at dirty wood, sand-caked logs and frozen hardwoods.
The maker says the brazed carbide tips and hardened rivets hold up under high-load cutting.
Cons
It needs a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, and steel files will not sharpen it.
If you run a 24-inch bar, the Byane 3PCS 24″ pick fits better, because this chain is sized for 20-inch bars only.
RazEdg 20-Inch: Best for a long-lasting full-chisel chain
RazEdg’s 20-inch chain is the pick for owners who want full-chisel carbide cutters on a 20-inch bar with 72 drive links. It suits buyers who want carbide cutting on a standard 20-inch saw bar without moving to a larger chain.
The maker says the tungsten carbide tips are laser-welded to the cutter heads and stay sharp up to 10 times longer than standard heat-treated steel chains. For you, that means fewer trips to the sharpening file and longer stretches of cutting between sharpenings, which helps most when you cut a lot of wood in one session.
The maker also says the chain is built for dirty work, such as sandy logs and muddy tree roots, and that its higher upfront cost is offset by fewer replacements. If you clear brush or handle storm cleanup, a chain that tolerates grit means less time swapping chains in the middle of a job.
Pros
Tips stay sharp up to 10 times longer than standard steel chains
Full-chisel cutters cut quickly through clean wood
Buyers say it cuts through hardwood like oak easily
Buyers say it is good quality and worth the money
Cons
Buyers report that carbide teeth break off or chip easily, so the chain does not last
Some buyers report that it does not fit their saws properly
If your bar is 24 inches, look at the Byane 3PCS 24″ set instead.
KAKEI 33RS 72: Best for Stihl MS311 and Husqvarna 455 owners
KAKEI 33RS 72 is the pick for owners of saws such as the Stihl MS311 and Husqvarna 455. The maker says it fits the MS311, MS391, Husqvarna 455 and 460 Rancher, and Poulan Pro models.
The maker lists a 20-inch length, 3/8-inch pitch, .050-inch gauge and 72 drive links, with full-chisel carbide-tipped cutters. Those numbers have to match your bar and saw, because they decide whether the chain fits at all.
The maker says the carbide tips stay sharp up to 10 times longer than standard chains, which suits hardwood, treated lumber, frozen wood and dirty wood. If you often cut dirty or frozen wood, that means fewer stops to file the chain during a job. The chain also comes pre-lubricated with protective oil to resist rust and corrosion.
Pros
Carbide tips are brazed to a German steel body, which the maker says adds toughness and impact resistance.
Each cutter is precision-ground for a smoother, sharper cut.
The rivets are hardened and quenched to resist wear.
It arrives oiled against rust, so it can sit in a garage between jobs without much prep.
Cons
The maker warns the chain may kick back and cause serious injury, and advises use only with experience and specialized training for kickback. This matters most if you are new to chainsaws.
If you run a 24-inch bar, look at the Byane 3PCS 24-inch pick instead, since this chain is sized for 20-inch bars.
Byane 24-Inch 3-Pack: Best for 24-inch bars and spare chains
The Byane 24-inch 3-pack is the pick for owners of 24-inch bars on heavy-duty saws who want spare chains on hand. The set is built for a 3/8-inch pitch, .050-inch gauge and 84 drive links, so you can match it to a 24-inch bar without guessing.
The maker says the cutters need a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, and that standard steel files will not work on carbide. In practice, the steel file in your shop cannot touch these chains, so plan on buying the right sharpener before the first chain goes dull.
The maker also says the cutters stay sharp up to 10 times longer than standard steel chains. That means fewer sharpening sessions on a cutting day, and a spare on the shelf covers you while one chain is at the sharpener. The maker describes a low-kickback geometry for a smoother, more controlled cut. It also says the chain is strictly for wood cutting only, so keep it away from nails, wire and fencing.
Pros
Three chains in one set, so a spare is ready when one is dull or damaged.
Carbide tips the maker says last up to 10 times longer than steel chains.
Fits a long list of professional-grade saws, including Husqvarna 455, 460 Rancher, Stihl MS290 and Stihl MS311.
Cons
You need a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, so a steel file will not do.
Sized for 24-inch bars only, so it does not suit shorter bars.
Wood cutting only, so it is the wrong chain for cutting into metal or stone.
If your bar is 20 inches, look at the BYANE 20-inch instead, since this set is engineered for 24-inch guide bars.
How do you pick a carbide chain that fits your saw?
Start with the three numbers on your guide bar: pitch, gauge and drive-link count. You can find them on the guide bar side stamp or in the owner’s manual. Then match the bar length, which is 20 inches for the first pick.
The BYANE 20-inch chain uses 3/8-inch pitch and .050-inch gauge, with 72 drive links. If your saw takes a different pitch or gauge, the chain will not fit, so compare these numbers before you order.
Next, choose the cutter type. Chamfer chains are the most versatile design, with excellent impact resistance for dirty or abrasive wood [1]. A chisel chain cuts cleaner, so choose chamfer for sandy or dirty logs and chisel for clean wood. The four picks here are all full-chisel chains. It also helps to read Best Gas Chainsaw: Top Picks and How to Choose.
Finally, plan for sharpening. Carbide cutters need a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener. Standard steel files will not effectively sharpen carbide material, so the file in your toolbox will not do the job.
Is a carbide chain worth the extra cost over steel?
Carbide chains have a higher upfront cost, and they hold their edge longer than steel. They do not cut as aggressively, so the right choice depends on how you work.
Does carbide cut as well as steel?
Not quite. A forum thread from arborists notes that carbide chains “don’t cut as good as a good sharp steel chain, but they don’t seem to get dull” [2]. If you want the fastest cut through clean wood, a steel chain you sharpen regularly will still feel quicker.
What happens when carbide meets grit or debris?
One side-by-side comparison found that “the carbide chain is much more tolerant of contact” with grit and debris than steel [3]. If you cut logs that have been dragged through dirt or sand, that means the teeth lose their edge more slowly.
Who should pay the extra for carbide?
Carbide makes most sense if you cut dirty wood or dislike sharpening often. The maker says its chain “excels at cutting through “dirty” wood, sand-caked logs, and frozen hardwoods”. If you mostly cut clean, seasoned firewood and don’t mind filing, steel is the cheaper route to a fast cut.
Which chain should you buy first?
BYANE 20-Inch is the first pick for most 20-inch bars, and the key to choosing it is matching the chain to your bar before you order. Start with three numbers from your bar: pitch, gauge and drive links. The BYANE chain is built for a 3/8-inch pitch, .050-inch gauge and 72 drive links.
Pitch is the distance between the chain’s drive links, and gauge is the thickness of the drive link that sits in the bar groove. If any of those numbers differ from your bar, the chain will not seat properly, so the match matters more than the brand.
You also need a sharpener that suits carbide. The maker states that maintenance requires a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener, and that standard steel files will not effectively sharpen carbide. Budget for that tool at the same time as the chain, because a steel file will leave a carbide cutter dull.
To make the choice, measure your bar and match the three numbers above. If they line up with the BYANE 20-inch, order a 7/32-inch diamond-coated sharpener at the same time as the chain.