Quick verdict
Three loops of Husqvarna's own X-Cut SP33G chain in .325 pitch, .050 gauge and 72 drive links, the fit for an 18-inch bar on the 440, 445, 450, 545 and 550XP family. It suits an owner of one of those saws who wants factory sharpness out of the box and an edge that lasts between filings. The caveat is that it fits only .050 gauge bars and costs more per loop than aftermarket chain.
Strengths
- Three chains, enough for a season of rotation
- X-Cut is sharp out of the box and holds its edge longer, per Husqvarna
- Semi-chisel cutters tolerate dirty and frozen wood
- Fits the 440, 440e, 445, 450, 450e, 545, 550XP, 550XP Trio and 550XPG
- .325 pitch, .050 gauge, 72 drive links for select Husqvarna 18-inch bars
Weaknesses
- Only for .050 gauge bars; confirm the stamp on your bar
- Premium price per loop next to aftermarket chain
- Semi-chisel cuts a little slower than full-chisel in clean wood
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Who this chain is for
A chain is the part of a chainsaw that actually does the work, and the one most owners replace with whatever is cheapest. Husqvarna’s X-Cut is the maker’s argument for staying with the factory chain. This three-pack is the SP33G loop in .325 pitch, .050 gauge and 72 drive links, the fit for an 18-inch bar on the 440, 445, 450, 545 and 550XP family of 40 to 50cc saws. It is for the owner of one of those saws who cuts enough firewood to go through chains by the handful.
This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.
What you get
Three loops of Husqvarna part 581643672, the X-Cut SP33G semi-chisel chain. Each loop is .325 pitch, .050 gauge, 72 drive links, for select Husqvarna 18-inch bars. Husqvarna lists compatibility with the 440, 440e, 445, 450, 450e, 545, 550XP, 550XP Trio and 550XPG. The maker’s two claims are sharpness straight out of the box and an edge that lasts longer before it needs filing. The listing does not state the file size or the depth gauge setting; those are on the chain packaging and in Husqvarna’s chain chart.
Fit and compatibility
Chain fit is three numbers, and all three must match. Pitch is the spacing of the links, gauge is the thickness of the drive link that rides in the bar groove, and the drive link count sets the loop length. A .325 pitch and 72 drive links match an 18-inch bar on the listed saws, but the gauge is where buyers go wrong: Husqvarna has sold these saws with both .050 and .058 bars. The number is usually stamped on the bar near the mount. A .050 chain in a .058 groove wobbles and wears both parts; it will not run right. Check the stamp before ordering.
Sharpness and cut
X-Cut is Husqvarna’s own chain, made in its own factory rather than sourced, and the company’s pitch is that it is pre-stretched and sharp from the box. Owners of X-Cut generally bear that out, reporting a noticeably cleaner first cut than generic chain and less tension adjustment in the first tank. On a 50cc saw such as the 550XP, a sharp .325 semi-chisel pulls fine, even chips through green oak and keeps a stable cut without grabbing, which is the character a firewood cutter wants.
Semi-chisel edge life
Semi-chisel cutters have a rounded working corner, which gives up a little speed in clean wood against full-chisel but holds an edge far longer when the wood is dirty, bark-on or frozen, the normal condition of firewood off a trailer. It is also more forgiving to file by hand. Husqvarna’s claim that X-Cut stays sharp longer is a relative one against its own earlier chain, and owner feedback supports it as a chain that goes a long way between touch-ups when kept out of the dirt.
Living with it
Rotate the three loops: run one, keep one sharp and ready in the kit, file the third at the bench. .325 pitch chain is typically filed with a 3/16-inch round file at the angles printed on the box; confirm the size for SP33G on the packaging. Flip the bar at each chain change, clean the groove and keep the oiler full; a dry chain stretches and dulls faster than any wood. Store spare loops in their packaging with a film of oil.
Alternatives to Consider
The Oregon 20BPX072G is the mainstream aftermarket equivalent, a .325 .050 72-link micro-chisel chain that fits the same bars and usually costs less per loop. The KAKEI 18-inch .325 .050 72 DL three-pack is the budget option for an owner who files often and does not mind a shorter edge life. For a .058 bar, Husqvarna sells X-Cut in that gauge under a different part number; match the stamp.
Verdict
Buy the Husqvarna SP33G X-Cut three-pack if you run a 440, 445, 450, 545 or 550XP on an 18-inch .050 bar and want factory-sharp semi-chisel chain that holds up in firewood. Skip it if your bar is .058 gauge, or if you go through chain so fast in dirty wood that a cheaper aftermarket loop makes more sense.
Full specifications
Husqvarna SP33G X-Cut .325 Pitch .050 Gauge 72 DL 18-Inch Semi-Chisel Chainsaw Chain, 3 Pack FAQs
Match three numbers: .325 pitch, .050 gauge and 72 drive links. They are usually stamped on the bar near the mount or printed in the manual. Husqvarna lists the 440, 440e, 445, 450, 450e, 545, 550XP, 550XP Trio and 550XPG with 18-inch bars.
Husqvarna does not state the file size in the listing. .325 pitch chain is typically filed with a 3/16-inch round file; check the X-Cut packaging or Husqvarna's chain chart for the exact size and angles.
Semi-chisel, like this SP33G, keeps its edge longer in dirty, bark-on or frozen wood and is easier to file. Full-chisel cuts faster in clean wood but dulls quicker. For firewood off the ground, semi-chisel is the practical choice.
Rotating three loops lets you swap a dull chain in the field and file a batch at the bench. It also spreads wear across the loops and the bar, and three OEM loops usually cost less per chain than singles.
