A saw chain for motor-driven chain saws includes a cutting link which has three mutually adjacent supporting surfaces defining a U-shaped cutout for accommodating a hard metal insert in the form of a cutting plate therein. The support of the insert is provided at only subportions of these supporting surfaces and the remaining subportions provided an adequate spacing so that a solder gap is formed. The hard metal insert placed in this cutout has an adequate service time and does not require special equipment to hold the same during automatic soldering thereof into the cutting link.