Electric chainsaws offer similar cutting speeds, are far easier to start, run more quietly, and don’t produce exhaust. That said, there’s still a place for gas chainsaws. Cutting Bar LengthThe cutting bar is the long, flat piece of metal that guides the chain, setting the size and shape of your chainsaw. That means the size of the cutting bar more or less dictates how you should use the saw. For electric chainsaws, cutting power corresponds to how many watts (voltage x amps) the motor puts out.