The Jonsereds Raket XF was a radical, spaceship‑shaped chainsaw produced by Jonsereds Fabrikers AB (Partille, Sweden) from 1960–1969.
As its name Raket (“Rocket” in Swedish) implies, the XF had a forward‑looking design – rounded and futuristic, likened to a flying saucer or a 1950s laser gun. The XF was Jonsered’s top-of-the-line model of the era: a big 110 cc air-cooled two‑stroke engine (bore 56 mm, stroke 45 mm) producing about 5.5 horsepower at 5600 rpm.
The refurbished saw pictured throughout this article is listed on eBay (at the time of writing) by Alex (eBay seller szabsa76). He regularly lists rare, refurbished chainsaws for sale.
The listing description (translated from Hungarian):
Rare vintage Jonsered Raket XF muscle chainsaw for sale with good operation
I am offering for sale the Jonsereds Raket XF chainsaw shown in the pictures.
This beautifully designed saw was created by the famous engineer Bello Peterson, who also designed the Volvo P1800.
It was manufactured in Sweden between 1960 and 1969. Air-cooled, 110cc, 5.5 HP.
The saw is in good technical condition and sounds amazing!!
I’ve installed new Viton seals and new carburetor diaphragms.
It starts nicely, runs smoothly, and the lubrication works perfectly.
Due to its age, I recommend this saw for collectors rather than for woodcutting.
I ship to the USA, and shipping within Europe is cheaper — feel free to ask for details!
No warranty or returns.
The XF’s technical highlights included direct drive (no belt or gearing) and die-cast magnesium alloy housings. In fact, it was Jonsereds’ first direct-drive chainsaw – meaning the engine crankshaft directly drove the chain. Like many saws of its day it had no chain brake.
A large cast‑iron centrifugal clutch engaged the chain. Internally, the crankshaft rode on ball bearings (and roller bearings on the connecting rod and piston). Ignition was by points and a flywheel magneto (Stefa G2/45T), with a separate ignition coil mounted low and aft of the cylinder for better spark.
Lubrication was similarly advanced: the XF had an automatic worm‑gear oil pump for bar/chain lube, plus a thumb‑operated manual oil pump on the right handle for extra flow. (Its fuel and bar-oil tanks each held about 1.1 L fuel/0.75 L oil, with a 25:1 fuel mix.)
All controls were well-placed on the rigid wrap‑around handle, and the saw was praised (in Swedish brochures) as having “well‑placed controls, good balance and low weight” for easy handling, plus good muffling.
The XF also offered accessory attachments. Like some other Jonsereds saws, it could mount rotary drilling units for wood, ice, soil or even metal, and it could be converted into a shoulder‑strap brush‑cutter. In short, Jonsereds sold it as a multi‐purpose “power tool” for forestry and even industrial use.
Jonsereds began in textiles, but by the 1950s had shifted into chainsaws, naming their line “Raket” (Rocket) to emphasize power and speed. The original Raket (52 cc) saw was launched in the late ’50s, and its success fueled worldwide exports (notably to North America).
In the 1960s the Raket series expanded with several new models: for example, the Raket 60 (introduced 1966) had a 56 cc motor (~2.65 kW) and weighed only ~6.2 kg, while the Raket XH-85 (1963–68) had an 85 cc engine (~2.7 kW) and weighed ~7.8 kg.
The XF (110 cc) was the largest Raket one-man saw of the 1960s – in fact, by one collector’s list it was “Jonsereds’ biggest saw” in 1960–69. (Later, in the 1970s, it was succeeded by the Jonsereds 110/111 models.)
All these share a distinctive Jonsereds trait of the era: magnesium alloy housings and a smooth, rounded “capsule” casing. During this decade Jonsereds was a fast‑growing forest machinery firm (the saw business saved the company after textiles declined).
The Raket XF was thus the flagship of Jonsereds’ lineup in the ’60s. Its introduction predated many similar large Swedish saws. For context, Husqvarna’s big bore chainsaws wouldn’t get near this displacement until the early 1970s.
In Jonsered’s own range, the XF laid the groundwork for later “111” series 110 cc saws. In fact, decades later the successor Jonsered 111 Super (1973–80) shared many specs with the XF – it was also a 110 cc, direct-drive saw in a magnesium housing, but with a more powerful 4.8 kW engine (roughly 6.5 HP) and slightly lighter crankcase.
Remarkably, the XF’s avant‑garde styling is often attributed to famed Swedish designer Pelle Petterson (nicknamed “Bello” Petterson). Petterson was already famous for designing the Volvo P1800 sports car in 1961.
Several sources note Petterson’s involvement: ArboristSite forum mentions “the same man who designed the Volvo P1800” gave the XF its shape, and vintage reviews echo that the saw’s curves recall a rocket-ship. (Official confirmation is scarce, but the rumor fits – Petterson did work with Jonsereds in that era.)
Pelle “Bello” Petterson (b.1932), Swedish industrial designer of the Volvo P1800 and, reportedly, the Jonsereds Raket XF. Petterson’s flair shows in the XF’s smooth, integrated form. The machine has no exposed engine shrouds or fins – instead a single rounded “hump” over the cylinder blends into the handle casing.
The red-and-silver paint and sleek cover make it look more like 1960s racing equipment than a rustic saw. (Modern eyes find it unusual or “a bit gawky,” but even so, many collectors admire its originality.)
| Model | Years | Displ. | Power | Weight | Guide Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonsereds Raket 60 (one-man) | 1966–73 | 56 cc | 2.65 kW @7700 rpm (≈3.6 HP) | 6.23 kg | 33–51 cm (13–20″) |
| Jonsereds XH-85 Raket (one-man) | 1963–68 | 85 cc | 2.7 kW @6050 rpm (≈3.6 HP) | 7.75 kg | 63 cm (25″) |
| Jonsereds Raket XF (one-man) | 1960–69 | 110 cc | 3.5 kW @5600 rpm (≈4.7 HP) | 9.47 kg | 33–51 cm (13–20″) |
| Jonsereds 111 Super (one-man) | 1973–80 | 110 cc | 4.8 kW @7600 rpm (≈6.4 HP) | 9.20 kg | 58–89 cm (23–35″) |
| Jonsereds XD Raket (one-man) | 1958–62 | 85 cc | 3.1 kW @6000 rpm (≈4.2 HP) | 8.80 kg | 40–63 cm (16–25″) |
This table shows the XF’s scale in context.
It dwarfs earlier Jonsered models (the 56 cc Raket 60 is half the size and only ~3.6 HP). Its closest successor, the Jonsered 111 (110 cc), was more powerful but only appeared after 1973.
For comparison, a typical Swedish saw of the late 1960s, like the Husqvarna 61 had just 2.9 kW (4.1 HP) and weighed ~5.8 kg – far below the XF’s heft.
Today the Raket XF is primarily a collectors’ item. As one veteran sawsmith put it: “they’re large-displacement older saws… parts are very scarce. They’re more of a collector item now than a daily runner.”
At 9.5 kg the XF is heavy even by modern one-man saw standards; the powerful 110 cc engine and lack of vibration damping meant notable vibration at low revs. (The original reviewers noted that its massive crank and clutches made it shake one’s forearms under load.)
On the other hand, it was also extremely robust – owners cite its “extreme reliability” and longevity. Even after 50+ years, many XF units still run, and a tidy example can fetch hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars among collectors.
Forums and vintage sites reveal a cult following. One enthusiast forum celebrates the XF’s “originalissimo” charm; another forum ad listed one for sale titled “Jonsereds Raket XF – World’s Most Beautiful Chainsaw.”
Technical discussions praise its engineering (magnesium case, roller bearings, automatic oiling) and lament the scarcity of parts (the Tillotson carb kits and ignition coils are nearly impossible to find).
Within Jonsereds’ own lineup, the XF stood out for blending high power with innovative construction.
Smaller Raket models (60, 75, 85 cc) shared its general style but were intended for lighter forestry tasks. Its successor, the Jonsered 111, added a chain brake and modernized some internals but was clearly descended from the XF’s basic formula.
The Jonsereds Raket XF remains a legendary piece of chainsaw history.
It represents Jonsereds in its experimental, prime-innovation phase: a homegrown Swedish sawmaker pushing boundaries of design. Technically it was ahead of its time (direct drive, magnesium case, high output), and visually it broke the mold with a “rocket ship” look.
For fans of vintage chainsaws, the XF is remembered as both a technical curiosity and an emblem of 1960s style – a true collector’s item that “still maintains its original charm” even today.
These are more of Alex’s eBay listings:
