The made-in-the-USA Sears 3.7 Lightweight Power-Sharp chainsaw is a mid-sized 60 cc saw produced for Sears, Roebuck & Co. by Roper Corporation in the early 1970s.
It marked the high point of Sears’ post-David-Bradley era—modern, compact, and innovative—bringing automatic oiling and on-board chain sharpening to the everyday wood-cutter.
The saw pictured here belongs to Chris Goldman‘s wife, Sandra (they are at C.S. Goldman’s Reaper Restorations). It is her first vintage chainsaw!
Sears marketed this model as “Lightweight Power with Automatic Oiler and Bolt-Action Power-Sharp.”
The magnesium-alloy body kept weight low while maintaining durability. A dual-system oiler combined a continuously operating pump with a thumb-plunger for extra lubrication, and flow could be fine-tuned with an “Open/Close” dial.
The hallmark feature was the Power-Sharp system—a lever-actuated sharpening stone mounted inside the clutch cover that could restore the chain’s top-plate edges in seconds.
Oregon’s matching “Barracuda” chain had specially shaped cutters and ramped depth gauges to work with the stone. In field use, a few quick seconds of sharpening often brought a dull chain back to near-new sharpness. While professionals sometimes dismissed it as a gimmick, it was revolutionary for farmers and homeowners lacking filing tools.
Ergonomically, the saw offered an easy-start position lever, good weight balance, and a wrap handle allowing multiple cutting angles. It lacked a chain brake—standard for the era—but employed low-kickback chain geometry and rubber vibration isolators that made long cutting sessions manageable.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Numbers | 917.351970 (17″ bar); 917.351980 (21″ bar) |
| Manufacturer | Roper Corporation for Sears Roebuck & Co. |
| Engine Type | Air-cooled 2-stroke single-cylinder |
| Displacement | 3.7 cu in (≈ 60 cc) |
| Horsepower | ~ 3 – 4 HP (unrated in catalog) |
| Ignition | Breaker-point magneto |
| Carburetor | Walbro HDC series diaphragm |
| Weight (powerhead) | ≈ 13.5 lb (6.1 kg) |
| Bar Lengths | 17″ or 21″ (3⁄8″ pitch chain) |
| Chain Type | Oregon Power-Sharp 3640 / 3641 (“Barracuda”) |
| Sharpening System | Built-in Power-Sharp grinding stone |
| Oil System | Automatic pump + manual plunger w/ adjustable flow |
| Fuel Mix | 32 : 1 gas to oil (2-stroke mix) |
| Handle / Anti-Vibe | Wrap-around front handle, rubber isolators |
| Chain Brake | None (factory era pre-safety brake) |
| Approx. Production Years | 1971 – 1973 |
| Original Price (1972) | US $119 – $139 (with case, bar, chain) |
| Made In | U.S.A. |
Sears aimed this model squarely at farm and ranch owners needing a powerful yet manageable saw for felling and firewood. It stood beside contemporaries like the McCulloch 10-10 and Homelite XL-12 in size and capability but distinguished itself through department-store accessibility and user-friendly engineering.
Historically, the 917.3519-series symbolizes the transition from heavy, cast-iron gear-drive saws to modern direct-drive, one-man machines. It also highlights Sears’ collaboration with Roper, which later produced other Craftsman-branded tools before the line shifted to Poulan in the mid-1970s.
Among collectors, the Sears 3.7 Lightweight Power-Sharp occupies a charming niche: an authentic 1970s working saw with an unusual self-sharpening system. Complete, clean examples with intact Power-Sharp hardware, decals, and original bar/chain typically bring US $75 – 150, occasionally more in display-grade or running condition.
Though not rare, it’s a conversation-starter—a tangible reminder of an era when innovation meant you could sharpen your chain with the flick of a lever. For vintage chainsaw enthusiasts, the 917.351970 remains one of the most interesting and representative “Sears Lightweight” models ever produced.
