How Does The Kebtec 8 Inch Chainsaw Measure Up?
The Kebtec 8 inch Chainsaw
This Kebtec 8 inch chainsaw is an interesting addition to the Kebtec range of cordless tools.
Kebtec is a brand better known for making cordless pruning shears and so the addition of a mini chainsaw to their range is of some significance.
Firstly they have a lot of experience in producing small battery powered gardening tools. This bodes well for the functionality of their 8 inch bar cordless mini chainsaw.
Secondly, they have not introduced a mini chainsaw just for the fun of it. They have therefore recognized that a mini chainsaw is a useful tool to have and that there is enough (emerging) demand to warrant adding one to their product range.
Lastly, they have chosen to enter the 8-inch bar chainsaw market segment instead of the more popular 6-inch mini chainsaw segment.
Perhaps they believe whatever a 6-inch mini saw can do, an 8-inch version can do better?
[UPDATE – Kebtec have just added a 6-inch bar mini chainsaw to their range. This one can be attached to a specifically designed extension pole to enhance your pruning reach! You can read more about it HERE]
The Kebtec 8 inch Chainsaw at a Glance
| Bar Length | 8 inches | |
| Weight | 1,6kg | 3,52 lbs |
| Battery (2 supplied) | 21V 2Ah | |
| Electric Motor Type | Brushless | |
| Power Output | 650 W | |
| Chain Speed | 11m/s | 2165 feet per minute |
| Oil Application | Auto Oiler | |
| Time to Charge | 2hrs | |
| Working Time | 40 mins/battery |
The Good Bits
Here are a few features that make this Kebtek 8 inch chainsaw a good buy.
Brushless Motor
Yep, nowadays you would (should?) expect a small cordless tool like this chainsaw to be equipped with a brushless motor. Brushless motors have so many advantages over the older brushed motors.
It makes economic sense to spend a bit more upfront for a brushless motor and reap the rewards of increased efficiencies over the long term.
The good news then is that this Kebtec chainsaw is fitted with a brushless electric motor!
Decent Chain Speed
A chain speed of 11 meters/second or 2165 feet per minute in the old parlance is pretty good for a small battery driven chainsaw.
It’s not the fastest by a long shot but its fast enough to get the jobs its designed for done quickly and efficiently.
Two (2) Batteries Supplied
Batteries can be a challenge in the mini chainsaw sector. Either they don’t last very long and/or replacement batteries are sometimes difficult to source.
By supplying 2 batteries with your initial purchase, Kebtec addresses both of these problems.
The two batteries will allow you to double your working time and you can have one on charge while using the other one.
Optional Handle
Chainsaws of this size are usually designed to be operated with one hand. This one can easily be used with one hand but it has the option of adding a rubberized handle.
Adding this handle would make the chainsaw easier to handle and direct when not using it in small spaces e.g. cutting up kindling in the yard vs pruning in foliage dense areas.
Auto Oiler
Bars and chains need oiling so its always a plus to have an inbuilt oiler that will oil them as you work.
Remember not to fill the oil reservoir to the brim or store the tool with oil in the reservoir. Both scenario will result in messy oil leaks!!
Storage Case and Scabbard
It’s always useful to be able to pack a tool away into a storage case, especially if its the kind of tool that you might want to pick up and take somewhere with you. Think camping and the like.
Also nice to have a scabbard to cover a cutting edge when the tool is not working.
A win-win for the Kebtek 8 inch chainsaw!
The Other Bits
And here are features (aka shortcomings) that might not be deal breakers but you should at least be aware of them when deciding whether or not to buy the Kebtek!
The Safety Switch
Or not!
Most electrically powered chainsaws have a safety switch which you have to push in at the same time as you pull the trigger.
If you don’t do that, then the chainsaw wont run.
Its a safety thing. Without it, you, or a branch or someone else, could accidentally pull the trigger and start the chainsaw without being ready for that to happen.
That’s when accidents occur. And a whirling chain can make quite a mess of human flesh, even if it’s only 8 inches long!!
With most other chainsaws, once you release the trigger and stop using the chainsaw, the safety switch automatically reverts to the “lock” function and you can’t start it again without going through the procedure of pushing in (unlocking) the safety button as you pull the trigger.
It’s a pain, but a necessary, safety, pain.
On this Kebtec 8 inch chainsaw however (and hopefully they will soon fix this glitch), the safety button remains unlocked even after the tool has stopped working. You have to manually “relock” it or otherwise pulling the trigger alone will start the chain rolling!
Sort of defeats the idea of a safety switch!
Chain Tensioning Mechanism
Some unhappy mutterings from a few people about the chain tensioning mechanism not being effective and the chain jumping off.
As a general comment, these sorts of (isolated) comments tend to come from people who are first time users and don’t always understand how the system works.
Of course you will get a production or design fault from time to time but then the problem is usually obvious and widely observed.
That is not the case here
And Finally
Kebtec produce a range of gardening,and specifically garden pruning, tools. They thus have some insight into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to pruning gardens.
They also produce the PRUNARBO 8 inch mini chainsaw. These two tools are very similar in many respects but do have a few differences which might/might not sway you.
Or compare these 2 options to the Imoumlive 8 inch mini chainsaw
You can also check out:
8 Inch Mini Chainsaws with a Brushless Motor and
Upgraded 8-inch Mini Chainsaws
as well as Who Needs An 8 Inch Mini Chainsaw?
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