Hi Folks,
Don't want to disagree with Tom too hard, but a sprocket tip bar on the average saw set up delivers approximately 25% more power to the wood than a solid tip bar with a whole lot less stress on the chain. Hard tip bars definitely have their niche, but a good quality and well maintained sprocket nose bar will deliver a whole lot more performance in terms of actual work accomplished in normal cutting conditions. I Definitely prefer a greasable tip to a permanently lubed tip like stihl puts out. You just have to remember to grease them. We end up cutting in a number of fairly dirty conditions, and so long as you keep the bar and saw clean and well lubed, there doesn't seem to be any more wear on the bars, just on the chains.