What's the Difference Between 3-Point, 4-Point, and 5-Point Felling Dogs?

Felling dogs, also known as bucking spikes, play a critical role in chainsaw performance, especially when tackling larger trees or working in challenging environments. Choosing the right set of felling dogs can improve safety, precision, and efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between 3-point, 4-point, and 5-point felling dogs, with a focus on the unique features of Westcoast Saw’s designs.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Felling Dogs

  1. Type of Wood: The type of wood you’re cutting influences your choice of felling dogs. For example, trees on the West Coast often have swell butts—large, gnarly bases—which require larger, more robust dogs to maintain stability. In contrast, smaller trees or hardwoods with straighter trunks may not need such aggressive setups.

  2. Bar Length: The size of your chainsaw bar also plays a role. Longer bars, such as 32 to 42 inches, can accommodate larger dogs without significantly affecting cutting length. However, shorter bars (20 to 24 inches) might lose critical cutting capacity if paired with overly large felling dogs.

  3. Cutting Style and Application: Whether you’re making face cuts, bucking, or back barring, the articulation and leverage provided by your felling dogs will affect your efficiency and the quality of your cuts.

How Westcoast Saw’s Felling Dogs Stand Out

The Westcoast Saw 3-Point Felling Dogs are designed with functionality in mind. The middle spike falls directly in line with the chain kerf, allowing for a smoother cut and better articulation, especially when bucking or lining up face cuts. This unique alignment offers greater precision and reduces fatigue, making them a favorite among professionals.

Westcoast Saw Felling Dogs Benefits:

  • Proprietary Steel

  • Aggressive Design

  • Stronger than factory

  • SMoother cut

  • Made in the USA

The Main Differences

A "point" on a felling dog represents the number of metal spikes or teeth that grip the wood while cutting a tree. For example, a 3-point felling dog has three spikes, a 4-point has four, and a 5-point has five. More points typically provide better grip and control over the chainsaw, with a 5-point felling dog offering the most stability, especially when cutting larger trees.

3-Point Felling Dogs

  • Design Feature: The center spike aligns perfectly with the chain kerf, acting as a guide for face cuts.

  • Best For: Users needing precision in their cuts, such as aligning face cuts and back cuts.

  • Advantages:

    • Improved articulation during cuts.

    • Easier to line up cuts without pulling out the saw to check alignment.

    • Reduces the risk of crooked cuts.

4-Point Felling Dogs

  • Design Feature: Additional spike provides more grip but sits closer to the saw case.

  • Best For: General-purpose cutting in medium-sized trees.

  • Advantages:

    • Offers a balance between grip and bar articulation.

    • Requires less precision than the 3-point but still performs well in most scenarios.

5-Point Felling Dogs

  • Design Feature: Maximum contact points for stability.

  • Best For: Large, gnarly trees with significant swell butts.

  • Advantages:

    • Keeps the saw spaced further from the tree base, preventing rubbing on the saw case.

    • Excellent leverage, reducing user fatigue.

    • Ideal for use with longer bars.

Demonstrating the Differences

When cutting a tree with a significant swell butt, smaller factory dogs may cause the saw to slide, making it challenging to grip and maintain stability. Westcoast Saw’s 3-Point Dogs shine in these scenarios, providing:

  • A clear guide for precision cuts.

  • Better leverage, making the saw easier to handle.

For example, when making a face cut, the 3-point design allows the user to align the chain’s center dog with the back of the face cut. This ensures that subsequent cuts meet precisely, creating a clean face that pops out effortlessly. In contrast, 4- and 5-point designs require more guesswork to achieve the same level of precision.

Articulation and Leverage

When bucking, the number of points on the felling dogs affects how the saw pivots.

  • 3-Point: The chain’s aggression smooths out as it transitions to the center dog, providing consistent cuts.

  • 4-Point: Offers a steady pivot but less precision than the 3-point design.

  • 5-Point: Allows for greater stability and leverage but sacrifices some cutting smoothness.

Why Choose Westcoast Saw?

Westcoast Saw’s felling dogs are engineered for professional loggers and serious enthusiasts who demand the best from their tools. By addressing common pain points such as grip, stability, and articulation, these felling dogs are a game-changer for anyone tackling large trees or challenging conditions.

For more information or to explore the full range of chainsaw products, visit Westcoast Saw.