Blue Max Chainsaw Review
Blue Max Chainsaw Review
Chainsaws have been around for decades and the fact that we are still largely relying on them for felling and cutting trees and wood. This only stresses the prevailing importance of these tools to fulfill such a vital activity for not only carpentry but gathering firewood as well.
Through the years, numerous improvements have already been introduced to this nifty cutting tool that can handle even the thickest trees with relative ease.
What makes a solid chainsaw brand nowadays? Is it all just about providing a balance between battery power and portability? What model of chainsaw can meet a lot of the requirements of projects by homeowners, gardeners, loggers, and carpenters alike?
In this Blue Max chainsaw review, you could very well find out what a reliable and adaptable chainsaw is like.
Reviewing the Best Blue Max Chainsaws
#1 Blue Max 8901
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 45cc engine power with idling speed of 2,700 – 3,400 RPM and a max speed of 10,500 RPM
- Anti-vibration feature that raises control and minimizes fatigue
- 14” and 20” bar options
- Fuel mix bottle with indicators
- Quick Start (CDI) ignition system for hassle-free start-ups
- Chain brake to ensure safety
- Easy access chain pro tensioner
As of this writing, the Blue Max 8901 is the top offering from this brand. Its 45-cc engine alone is proof of just how powerful this chainsaw is – this is relatively high when compared to other brands. That’s just half of what makes it great, though. The saw is also designed with 30% more chain teeth than the ones incorporated in a standard chain saw, effectively decreasing the time it takes to cut through most wood.
The maximum 10,500 rpm speed is just adequate, as going overboard with speed can be taxing to the engine. There’s a lot to love about the chain pro tensioner because it lets you conduct quick adjustment every time it’s needed – you never want your chain loose.
Add to this the anti-vibration function (can’t beat less fatigue and more control), quick start ignition system, automatic oiler, and the low range kick-back brake and you get a solidly designed chainsaw whose features you can be certain will actually bring you comfort and convenience every time you use it.
You have to be prepared to invest time in assembling it, though, but it’s definitely worth the effort because of this saw’s superb performance. Truly, the best representation of what Blue Max is aiming for: affordability and great value for money.
PROS
- The high-powered engine ensures cutting performance
- 14” and 20” bar options make it recommended for beginners and experienced chainsaw users alike
- Very easy to start
- Premixing fuel is made convenient thanks to the mix bottle
- Chain tension adjustments are easy to do
CONS
- Assembly a bit challenging but detailed instructions are provided
- Not recommended to be used every day
#2 Blue Max 6595
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 45-cc single-cylinder two-stroke motor
- 2,800 RPM no-load speed with maximum of 10,500 RPM
- 18-inch bar and chain
- Anti-vibration for reducing fatigue
- Bar auto oiler
- Handguard, kick-back brake, and safety trigger boosts safety
Equipped with an 18-inch bar and chain and a two-stroke 45 cc single-cylinder motor, the Blue Max 6595 effectively demonstrates how much power an affordable chainsaw can deliver. Its overall build and design make it fit the mid-range category to a tee.
Considering the size of the bar and the acceptably high-powered engine, this chainsaw can cut through trees that aren’t too much on the large side – you can expect it to take care of small and medium trees. This feature also allows it to fulfill most chainsaw purposes like felling, cutting firewood, and all kinds of hardwood, and clearing damage. 14-inch hardwoods (though we’re not sure about wood with more diameter) can be taken care of with relative ease.
It also includes the standard anti-vibe and quick-start features found in a lot of Blue Max chainsaws, which is definitely a plus. Safety also does not take a back seat because of the added handguard and the rapid-reaction kick-back brake, both complemented by a safety trigger with an on/off switch.
The weight is fairly manageable, but some users still find it rather on the hefty side. This is despite the use of a two-stroke engine, so that’s a significant downside because it only means poorer handling for users who can’t handle the heaviness. Furthermore, the use of plastic to line the sides certainly does not add to the durability.
As a whole, the Blue Max 6595 is far from perfect but it does tick plenty of desirable checkboxes features-wise. We also won’t hesitate to say that this is a unit built more for chainsaw users with at least a few years of experience under their belt.
If you’re looking for a budget side chainsaw with a satisfactory cutting performance that you can alternately use with your main one, this is the one to get. It’s also recommended for homeowners who only need to rely on a chainsaw a few times annually.
PROS
- Delivers cutting power that exceeds expectations for the price
- Included 18-inch bar is versatile enough to handle woods of various sizes
- Does not heat up and lose power quickly
- Bonus features are all useful
- Very affordable
- Great value for money
CONS
- Only has one 18” blade, which might be a little short for some
- Assembly instructions are a bit vague and difficult to understand
- Plastic sides do not look like they can handle impact well
#3 Blue Max 8902
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 45-cc single-cylinder two-stroke motor with 2,800 RPM
- 14” and 20” bar and chains with blow mold case
- Quick-start ignition system
- Quick-stop brake, handguard, and safety trigger for added safety
- Auto oiler keeps the chain lubricated
- Includes mixing bottle
Versatility abounds in the Blue Max 8902. That said, it’s not really surprising since this is a newer version of the Blue Max 8901. That doesn’t mean that there’s not much difference between the two. You still get the 14” and 20” blade options but the 8902 now uses a two-stroke engine for added portability. However, that still does little to keep the weight of the unit down – it weighs 24 pounds, which is surely heavy as far as DIY chainsaws are concerned.
What’s great about the 2-in-1 setup is that you can easily switch between the two blades to get any pruning, cutting, felling, or bucking jobs done. Both can spectacularly fulfill their respective purposes, too. This is certainly one of the undeniable pluses of this unit that makes it ideal for any homeowner who does not want to have to spend hundreds of dollars more just to be able to have freedom in choosing blades to work with.
Not enough praises can be rained on the auto oiler as well, because who wants to have to stop just to keep the chain lubricated? As for safety, the chain brake, handguard, and safety trigger all do well to keep Blue Max’s reputation as a safety-first chainsaw manufacturer. Another extra perk that does not get enough love is the carrying case this unit comes with. It houses the two blades, after disassembly, and you can easily carry it around with you so you will always have the option to switch any time.
Since it’s highly adaptable, the Blue Max 8902 can serve the purpose of being your main chainsaw, as do most chainsaws that fall in the mid-range category. The only real issue is the weight, but if you’re confident that you can handle 24 pounds, then you’ll love this unit in no time.
PROS
- Versatile and powerful
- Satisfactory safety features
- Uses plenty of oil to prevent the bar from overheating
- Well worth the price
CONS
- Heavier than most chainsaws in the home market
Buyers Guide Questions
We hope that we have provided you with adequate information regarding the best Blue Max chainsaws available in the market today. If you deem the reviews to be lacking in information you need, consider this accompanying buyer’s guide as the best complementary reference of the reviews. After all, it should answer any other question you might have regarding the brand and chainsaws as a whole.
Do Blue Max chainsaws have great value for money?
If you’re going to compare Blue Max offerings with those of other brands, it won’t take long to see that a lot – if not all – of their chainsaws are relatively cheaper. A lot of people may have qualms about this fact, and ultimately ask whether they’re worth buying or not.
Well, most of where the Blue Max brand wins is in the way they manage to squeeze in as many helpful features in their chainsaws and still manage to offer them at fairly budget-friendly prices. Plenty of their models appeal to the economically minded DIYer and professional alike. Do their products offer good value for money? Yes, and this rings especially true to the majority we featured here.
Lastly, considering the brand has been in operation for more than 50 years now, it’s safe to say that they’re fairly reputable, even with their seemingly cheap prices.
Which chainsaw features would help me the most?
It can be confusing and daunting when you are presented with features a specific model has. Will you be really needing all of them? Are there features that you should prioritize over others?
Most of the time, a chainsaw is only as good as the additional features it offers. There are features, after all, that lends a lot to boosting a chainsaw’s efficiency, besides ensuring safety and comfort at the same time. Undeniably, there are features that have universal value in a chainsaw like the following:
- Automatic oilers remove the need to activate the lubrication mechanism of a chainsaw so that it automatically coats the chain in oil. Lubricating the chain is always a required step to ensure not only the best cutting results but your safety, too.
- If the chainsaw has anti-vibration features, it will let you forgo the need to rely on gloves that fulfill that purpose. Chainsaws that have this also tend to be more comfortable to use and it also decreases work fatigue as you work with it every time.
- Quick start ignition systems usually serve as a great alternative to other features that reduce the hassle of starting a chainsaw (like a spring-assist feature, for example). Starting a chainsaw alone can be very frustrating if it does not have these features, and you’ll soon find out this is true once you encounter a scenario wherein a chainsaw won’t start for a cutting activity or project you need it most.
How important is the ease of assemblage in chainsaws I buy?
If you’re still a beginner and haven’t put together (much less handle) a chainsaw before, this factor is one to watch out for. Certain Blue Max chainsaw products require technical assemblage, which might be a bit difficult to handle by newbies. But if you’re confident that you can follow instructions to a tee, then there’s really no need to fret too much about whether you can assemble any unit you buy.
What must-have safety equipment should I get?
Blue Max chainsaws are no different from other brands when it comes to the kinds of protective gear you need to wear every time you use them. Safety helmets and goggles should always be worn, regardless of what type of chainsaw you are using. You don’t want to get debris on your eyes, after all, nor should you risk having a heavy branch fall on you.
It also won’t hurt to wear hearing protection, even if the chainsaw is not as loud as other models you have handled before. Gloves that are specifically designed for handling chainsaws are worthwhile investments, too, because chainsaws tend to vibrate a lot. Lastly, adequate protection from dust should also be ensured, assuming your project will lead to copious amounts of it compromising your breathing.
Is maintaining my chainsaw important regardless of how often I use it?
It is if you want to keep it running smoothly. Sure, if you’re not really a heavy chainsaw user, you don’t have to put up with replacing parts more frequently. That said, one maintenance step you are encouraged not to skip is to clean your chainsaw after ever use.
However, if you are relying on an electric chainsaw, then you will almost always readily enjoy their perk of being low-maintenance. This is why a lot of homeowners opt for electric chainsaws even if it lacks the power of more conventional gas-powered varieties. The only costly aspect of owning an electric chainsaw is the need to replace its batteries.
Even so, compared to gas chainsaws, which are pretty much “oil or nothing” when it comes to usability, it’s obvious that you will be able to save loads on electric chainsaws in the long run. And this is not even considering the need to consistently replace the spark plugs and fuel filters integrated into most gas-powered chainsaws.
Final Verdict
A lot of Blue Max chainsaws overlap in the features they include, which can arguably be both an advantage and a disadvantage. The brand also appears to predominantly favor gas chainsaws, which is not at all a surprise since gas varieties are still the paradigm when it comes to performance and power.
It’s also important to note that the brand produces only EPA-approved chainsaws. Their units may not be perfect but they can all still get the job done. Considering their low costs, that’s more than enough for most homeowners and casual users.