Shoutout to the old timer who showed me how to sharpen chains by hand

For years I just swapped chains as soon as they got dull. Probably went through 20 chains a season on my big jobs in Seattle. Then about 3 years ago, a retired logger working part time at the supply shop showed me how to file by eye. He said my chains were garbage after one dulling because I never touched up the rakers. Now I do a quick file every other tank of gas and get more life out of a single chain. Has anyone else had better luck with hand filing over those electric sharpeners?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_harper1mo ago

What makes you think hand filing is better than the electric sharpeners though? I've been running a cheap Harbor Freight electric sharpener for like 5 years now and my chains cut just fine. The trick is you gotta take the same amount off each tooth and check the rakers every few sharpenings. Hand filing sounds like a pain when you're already tired after a long day.

murray.jana1mo ago

Cheap sharpeners cook the metal and ruin the temper, your chain's done after a few passes.