How sharp is your chainsaw chain?

[timberfaller]

After the last time I was stitched up by my Dr.  "sharper then my scalpel from the looks of it!"   

[2MANY]

I read about the first 4 posts KFhunter posted and basically read all I need to read since it 100% mirrored my childhood instruction.

[j_h_nimrod]

Tag for later

[Alchase]

There is a lot of great info in this thread. I use my Husky maybe twice a year. I give my chain a quick rat tail file once over, before use. But I have to be honest, I can't tell by looking at it when it is sharp enough. I am hoping to take the rough off.
Is there a easy way for a couple time a year user, to do this 

To be honest I just buy a new chain every couple of years.  Mostly because of lack of knowledge. 

[HntnFsh]

Use a round file for a saw chain. Not a regular rat tail file. Watch your angles Try to use the same amount of strokes on each tooth but use as many as it takes to get past the worst rough spots. Stihl makes a good file gauge to help with the angles. Look at where you filed to see if its shiny under the top of the tooth and on the side. Carefully run your finger on the edge like you would a knife. You'll know.

Most saw shops will sharpen a chain for you for a few bucks. You can sharpen a chain until the cutting tooth is almost down to nothing.

[Bullkllr]

I tried one of these: Stihl 2 in 1 Easy Sharpener (or something like that).

Not perfect, but it is the fastest way I can put a decent edge on the teeth and get back to cutting. Files rakers at the same time.

[b23]

Biggest mistake people make, when sharpening their chain, is they apply to much pressure on the file when they're running it through each tooth.  All you really need is just enough pressure to hold the file against the tooth.  Most people apply to much pressure and it has a tendency to make the file dig in much harder than it needs to and makes it harder to follow the natural angle of the tooth.  You really don't need to apply any pressure at all, let the file do the work, not your muscles.  If you keep it out of the dirt and rocks, just a few light strokes on each tooth is all it really takes.  If you do get it in the dirt, it may take a few extra strokes but again, let the file do the work.

[timberfaller]

If you can't afford a grinder or can't do a good job by free handing HERE is the the best IMHO sharpener out there.  Its better then the Oregon model.

https://granberg.com/product/g106b-file-n-joint-low-profile/?v=7516fd43adaa

Wore one out and unfortunately smashed my last one, then I bought a grinder!

[Encore 280]

I bought the 2 in 1 from Amazon but it's the other one made in Germany and not as expensive as the Stihl. I really like it but they're not made for a skip tooth chain so you have to pay attention while sharpening. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Heres one of my skip chains filed back pretty far. Been my favorite chain for along time.

[HntnFsh]

Heres one of my skip chains filed back pretty far. Been my favorite chain for along time.

Got your moneys worth out of that 1. Thats how far I run mine down.

[Magnum_Willys]

Used to get min commercially sharpened and after 2 sharpenings they looked like that.  Really ?  Did they have to grind an 1/8” off to sharpen?   

[Tracker0721]

Mines down to nubs right now and I’m ordering new chain so I may be tempted with that timberline. That thing looks pretty sweet.

[HntnFsh]

Used to get min commercially sharpened and after 2 sharpenings they looked like that.  Really ?  Did they have to grind an 1/8” off to sharpen?

Some places dont care they set the depth of the grind and let her rip. Seen a few chains they did that too. We called those chains burnt. Would have that blue hue too them from getting them so hot. I always thought it took some temper out of the tooth and they wouldn't stay sharp as long. If I rocked a chain bad I usually grind it a couple times only taking a small amount at a time so they dont get too hot.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Used to get min commercially sharpened and after 2 sharpenings they looked like that.  Really ?  Did they have to grind an 1/8” off to sharpen?

Well  they really don't make money sharpening chains.......................