The chain design can improve the performance of the saw and reduce the chance of rebound. The chain design also affects the rebate. One pattern creates links between the cut links on the chain. These usually have a "tail" at the rear end of the chain link, and the "tail" will rise when the chain wraps around the top of the rod and pushes the cutting edge away from the wood.

"Skip the chain" is a fairly new innovation in chain design. It cannot prevent backlash, but it can improve the performance of some saws. It is used for saws with slightly insufficient saw blades, and is most commonly used on small saws or large saws with saw blades. Skip chains have fewer cutting links than "regular" chains. Like those used on professional saws, active chains have cutting links on every other link of the chain. The jump chain has a cut link on every three links.

When cutting larger pieces of wood, skipping chains are unlikely to get stuck in automatic chainsaw because there are not as many cut chains in contact as regular chains. Because of its low resistance, the saw's motor runs at a higher RPM. This allows the chain to have a faster speed and therefore a faster cutting speed.

Large professional saws usually do not jump chains. They have enough power to easily pass through any tree. The "depth gauge" on the chain is a vertical metal tab just in front of the cutting teeth. If the file is dropped too far, the chain will grab and yank the saw when cutting. This also makes rebates more likely. If the depth stop is too high, the chain will not cut well. There are some gauges that can be used to fill depth gauges. Get one and use it. Usually, I file them every three times to strengthen the chain.