Buying a tool as powerful as a chainsaw is a hefty investment. As such, you’ll want to ensure that you’re doing everything in your power to maintain it.
One such maintenance task that’s sometimes forgotten is sharpening. Ideally, you should sharpen the chain anytime it becomes dull. But if you don’t use it frequently, you can get away with sharpening every couple of months.
To achieve this goal though, you need to invest in the best chainsaw sharpeners.
Now, given how challenging it can be to find one that meets your needs, we decided to do the legwork for you. We've managed to narrow it down to five of the best choices. Here’s an in-depth guide to the top-rated chainsaw sharpeners on the market.
Reviews of the 5 Best Chainsaw Sharpeners
1. Oregon 410-120 Professional Compact Saw Chain Sharpener
Have you been hunting for the best overall chainsaw sharpener? If you have, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a unit better than Oregon 410-120 Professional Chainsaw Sharpener.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that it’s a little more expensive than your ordinary sharpener. But it’s a worthy investment as it includes everything you need to keep your saw chain in tip-top shape.
The best part is, this chain grinder is meant to accept chains from nearly all sorts of brands; be it Oregon, Husqvarna, Stihl just to mention a few.
Unlike other chainsaw sharpeners that only have one, the Oregon 410-120 sets itself apart by offering three grinding wheels.
The first is a 3.2mm radius profile disc, designed for the .325-inch, ¼-inch, and ⅜-inch low profile pitch.
The second grinding wheel has a profile disc radius of 4.7mm, and it’s meant to be compatible with ⅜-ich profile as well as .404-inch chain pitch. Lastly, there’s a 6.0mm flat profile disc, specially designed for depth gauge maintenance.
The generous offering of different grinding wheels means that you'll be able to use the sharpening kit with differently-designed chainsaw blades.
We also like that these grinding wheels are able to resist the burning of the cutters and provide a precise finish.
Chain sharpening is no easy task. This is Oregon also considered users’ safety, and incorporated a one-way motor rotation.
Other accessories onboard this saw chain sharpener entail an interchangeable mount that lets you attach it to your bench or wall. And the built-in light helps to illuminate your work surface when you’re working in poorly-lit areas.
Pros
Cons
Are you looking to save space in your workshop? If you are, the Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is ranked the best wall-mounted professional grinder.
Apart from mounting it on a wall, you also have the freedom to attach it to a bench or chain vise for quick and easy accessibility.
Another area where this chainsaw sharpener excels is compatibility. It has extensive adjustability that makes it compatible with the most common chainsaw pitches. As for the gauge, it accepts most chains with .05 to .08-inch gauge. The only one that it’s not compatible with is the .043-inch gauge chainsaw chain.
The ECSS electric chainsaw sharpener is designed with ease of use in mind. To get it up and running, simply connect it to a standard 120-volt outlet, and you’re good to go.
One other reason why this is regarded as the best electric chainsaw sharpener is that it runs at an impressive speed of 4,200 rpm. This allows the 4 ¼ by ⅛-inch wheel to grind effectively without overheating or causing unnecessary wear.
Truth be told, getting the hang of this sharpener can take a while. But once you do, you’ll find it incredibly easy to keep your chains sharp for maximum use.
Pros
Cons
If you prefer a more hands-on approach - or just want to save a few bucks, then consider a manual chainsaw sharpener. One that comes highly recommended is the Katzco Chainsaw Sharpener File Kit.
For a small investment, you get a fully comprehensive kit that contains three round files, a fine-tooth flat file, a filing guide, a hardwood handle, and a depth-gauge tool. Also included is a roll-up pouch that lets you keep all these accessories neatly organized.
Like the other chainsaw chain sharpeners we’ve looked at, this one is also highly versatile. It can be used with a wide range of chains as it contains files in 3/16”, 5/32”, and 7/32” sizes.
This pitch adjustability implies that you'll be able to use the sharpener with different designs of chainsaw blades.
Both the files and depth-gauge tool can be placed in the handle, providing a more comfortable grip. This, in turn, allows you to work quickly and for longer without getting fatigued.
Manual chainsaw sharpeners are generally cheaper than their electric counterparts, and the Katzco model is not any different. It's one of the cheapest sharpeners available.
Pros
Cons
Another manual sharpener we recommend investing in is the Granberg Bar Mount model.
Its key highlight is the fact that it attaches directly to your chainsaw’s bar, enabling you to sharpen nearly all major chain pitches. Better yet, the process of attaching it to your bar is seamless and allows it to serve as a guide for your chainsaw file too.
Another feature that makes the Granberg Bar Mount manual chainsaw sharpener unique entails the calibrated swivel guide markings. These make it easy to find the right angle for sharpening your chain.
Its exceptional durability is another reason why it’s often described as the best chainsaw sharpener.
The Granberg bar mount chain saw sharpener is manufactured in the U.S. Specifically, it's made of cast aluminum and zinc-plated steel, both of which enhance its longevity.
The only drawback is the fact that the manufacturer does not include any chainsaw files. This means you’ll have to spend extra purchasing them separately.
Pros
Cons
Another unit that’s often ranked as the best chainsaw sharpener ever is the Oregon 520-120 Bench Grinder.
Part of its prominence stems from the fact that it’s compatible with a wide array of chainsaw chains.
These range from as small as ¼” all the way up to .404”. It also works seamlessly with low-profile chains. It’s compatible with chains from different brands as well; be it Stihl, Oregon, or Husqvarna.
The Oregon 520-120 portable chainsaw sharpener can be subjected to heavy-duty tasks. So if your projects require you to sharpen your chainsaw blade frequently, you can rely on the Oregon sharpener to deliver exceptional results each time.
The fact that it’s a manual grinder is another feature that drew us to it. This gives you the freedom to take off as little or as much as you need to keep your chain sharp.
The grinder can be mounted to a wall or bench with the two provided bolts. This makes it the ideal candidate for use as a garage universal sharpener.
The self-centering chain vise is yet another feature that sets this chain sharpener apart. This ensures that the chain is always in the right position; thus, saving you huge chunks of time.
And thanks to the built-in lighting fixture, you should be able to sharpen your chain even in poorly lit conditions.
Pros
Cons
How Do Chainsaw Sharpeners Work?
A chainsaw sharpener works in a fairly straightforward manner. It’s equipped with a grindstone or grinding wheel, which is pushed against the rotating chain. The rubbing of the grindstone against the chain’s cutting links is what causes them to be sharper.
Quick tip: always start with the shortest cutter blade when sharpening your saw. The cutters are those that have flat tops. But if all the cutting links are the same height, then you can begin with any tooth.
Types of Chainsaw Sharpeners
There are three main types of chainsaw sharpeners to choose from, namely:
Manual
With a manual chainsaw chain sharpener, be prepared to put in a considerable amount of sweat equity to sharpen your saw.
On a more positive note, the best manual chainsaw sharpeners offer plenty of control and they sharpen more slowly. Both these things minimize the risk of accidents.
For the best outcome, we recommend going for the large bar-mounted chainsaw sharpener. Such a manual sharpener offers a higher level of precision and speed than the basic models.
Electric
As you might have guessed, this chainsaw sharpening tool is powered by electricity. It’s the fastest of the three, making it the ideal choice if you’re looking to get a lot of work done.
And as you'll see below, most electric sharpeners are fitted with extra attachments that make them much easier to use.
Another thing you'll notice about the majority of electric sharpeners is that they're corded. This doesn't mean that you can't find one that's battery-operated.
On the downside, these sharpeners are also pricey and pose a higher risk of injury because of how fast they move.
Automatic
The biggest selling point of this particular sharpener is the fact that it’s portable. It’s fitted with sharpening stones that are curved to match the shape of the chainsaw blade.
That said, this tool doesn’t offer a lot of flexibility, especially when it comes to making adjustments. If adjustability is important to you, then consider opting for portable electric chainsaw sharpeners. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of automatic and electric sharpeners all at once.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Chainsaw Sharpener
Pitch Compatibility
One of the most important aspects to consider is whether the sharpener is compatible with the chainsaw pitch.
This is one of the metrics used to determine the size of a chainsaw. It’s simply the distance between the chain’s cutting links.
Often, you’ll find that chains are available in one of these five pitches: ¼”, 0.325”, ⅜” full profile, ⅜” low profile and .404”. However, the two most popular are the ⅜” full- and low-profile.
So when you’re buying your sharpener, ensure that it can accommodate one or both of these two pitches. The best sharpeners can accommodate pitches of any size.
Mounting
The majority of chainsaw sharpeners are designed to mount on one of two things: a bench or a wall. Bench-mounting is ideal if you have a big workbench on your hands and can spare some space.
But if your workshop is on the smaller side of things, then wall-mounting is the best alternative. Another instance where wall-mounting is recommended is if you prefer to mount your gadget at eye level. This, in turn, enables you to sharpen your chains without having to bend over, which can be very tiring.
If you’ve decided to invest in an electric sharpener, you’ll be pleased to learn that most of these models are flexible. Thus, you can choose to mount them on your workbench or wall.
We also have bar-mounted sharpeners. These tools are designed to clamp directly on the chainsaw bar/ blade. And while most of these are manually operated, they offer one key advantage: portability.
So if you’re looking for a sharpener that you can take with you to the field, a bar mount chain saw sharpener is your best bet.
Manual vs Hydraulic Assist
If you love the convenience that electric chainsaw sharpeners offer, then one feature you’ll want to look for is a hydraulic assist.
What this does is lock the chain into position each time you lower the grinding wheel. The purpose of this is to prevent the cutting links from moving once the grinding wheel makes contact.
Although this feature makes the sharpening process much easier, it’s not mandatory. If your sharpener didn’t come with the hydraulic assist, it will likely have a manual knob that allows you to tighten the links.
Adjustability
Do you prefer a more hands-on approach for sharpening your chainsaws? If you do, then a minimalist sharpener will suffice. Such a tool requires the operator to manually unfasten and align the chain links.
However, if you prefer a more hands-off approach, then consider investing in a completely automatic sharpener.
As implied in its title, this one is designed to do all the advancing and sharpening without extra intervention. The only thing you’ll need to do is to configure the right adjustments.
One other aspect you’ll want to keep in mind is the technique for making adjustments. Most sharpeners use a knob, others a handle and a few employ digital technology.
With the last category, the sharpeners are fitted with LED readouts, allowing you to input the pitch of the links and your preferred angle for sharpening.
Angle and Height
Are you new to chainsaw sharpening? If you are, then one thing you might not be aware of is that these sharpeners come in different height measurements.
Each tooth on a chainsaw is set to a specific height. For this reason, you need to look for a chainsaw file of a particular size to be able to sharpen teeth of similar height correctly. Put simply, you need a specific chainsaw teeth sharpener for the different teeth configurations.
Height isn’t the only factor you’ll want to pay attention to. To get the best results, you’ll need to ensure that you’re sharpening them at the right angle.
Fortunately, determining this angle is fairly easy as it’s usually indicated on the chain’s initial packaging. Besides, most sharpeners come with angle markings, making it easy to align the file correctly.
That said, you’ll want to keep in mind that not all sharpeners can tackle chainsaw teeth of different heights or angles.
The one that seems to excel in this area is the disk-based electric sharpener. But while it can handle chainsaw teeth of varying heights, it may end up chipping off an excessive amount of material. This is particularly the case if you position your sharpener at the wrong angle.
Maximum Speed
Another factor you’ll want to keep in mind is the speed offered by the best electric chainsaw sharpener.
During the production process, manufacturers estimate just how fast the grinding wheels spin. More specifically, they use the metric: rotations per minute to estimate this speed.
Most chainsaw sharpening tools average a speed of between 3,000 and 4,200 rpm, with 3,400 rpm being the most common. However, it’s not unusual to find sharpeners with much higher speeds.
In theory, a sharpener with a higher speed runs faster, thus, helping you sharpen your tools within a short time. But you should also account for the fact that faster sharpeners pose a greater risk. That is, they may end up damaging the cutting links.
If you fail to adjust the grinding angle accurately, the spinning stone could make contact with the cutter at the wrong place. As a result, a gouge may develop in that spot of the link.
Noise
Do you live too close to your neighbors? If you do, you’ll want to check the noise level of a given sharpener before purchasing it.
You don’t want your neighbors to start issuing complaints about your tools being too disruptive. Thankfully, there are several low-noise chainsaw chain sharpeners that you can invest in.
Portability
Do you plan to use your chainsaw sharpener frequently when you go out to the field? If you do, a manual model is the right chainsaw sharpener.
A manual chainsaw sharpener is designed to be smaller, lighter and most importantly, it doesn’t have to be plugged into an electric outlet. This makes keeping your chain sharp an incredibly easy process.
But if you’re hell-bent on going the electric route, then look for an electric chainsaw sharpener that can be powered using a 12-volt battery or cigarette lighter.
Extra Features
Manual sharpeners don’t have too many extra features. But electric models come with a variety of accessories. Some of the things you're likely to find in a chainsaw sharpening kit are:
Built-in Lighting Fixture
Light is one of the handiest attachments you can find in this sharpening tool. It sheds light on the specific spot where the grinding stone makes contact with the cutting links. This way, you can tell whether you’re sharpening at the precise angle that you’d like.
Grinding Wheel Gauge
This is a small metallic or plastic bar that has notches. It lets you know whether the wheel is the ideal width for the links you’re sharpening.
Dressing Stone
This is another feature that’s sure to make sharpening your chainsaw chain easier. Its purpose is to remove any residue that accumulates on the wheel in the course of operation.
FAQs
Are chainsaw sharpeners any good?
Yes, they are. These chainsaw tools enable you to sharpen a dull chainsaw wherever and whenever you need to. In doing so, not only do they allow you to be more productive but they also enhance your safety significantly.
What is the easiest way to sharpen a chainsaw?
The main tools you can use to sharpen your saw are portable, electric, and manual sharpeners.
If you’re looking for one that offers the quickest and simplest way to accomplish this task, the electric sharpener is an excellent alternative.
Are chainsaw sharpeners universal?
No, they are not. Not every chain saw sharpener can be used with any chainsaw. So when you’re looking for one, pay attention to aspects like pitch compatibility, ability to make adjustments, and mounting technique.
How to use an electric chainsaw sharpener
To sharpen your chainsaw using electric chainsaw sharpeners, follow these steps:
- Start by verifying that the sharpener is compatible with your saw’s chain
- Next, position it properly; this ensures that it won’t start moving during operation
- Install your preferred sharpening stone
- Place your saw chain in the sharpener’s holding compartment and adjust the angle accordingly
- Adjust the depth stop as well and start sharpening
How to sharpen a chainsaw with a grinder
Before you get to the nitty-gritty of sharpening your chainsaw, ensure that you’re wearing protective gear. At the very least, you should have protective goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and safety gloves.
Next, take your grinder and secure it to your workbench. Then using a screwdriver, remove the cover of the grinding wheel. The next entails removing the grinder lock cap.
This step gives you room to install the correct grinding wheel for sharpening your saw. Once you’re done, put the lock cap and cover back on.
If you’re using a handheld grinder, remember to secure your chainsaw to the workbench.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw?
Yes, there are many benefits of sharpening chainsaws.
For one, a well-sharpened tool will cut way more effectively than a dull one. On your part, this means you won’t have to put in an unnecessary amount of effort.
Secondly, a sharpened chainsaw makes quick work of cutting wood. As a result, you can get your projects completed in a timely fashion.
Sharpening your chainsaw also saves you money in the long run. A dull chain can cause the engine/motor to work harder to power the machine. So when you sharpen it, you’re also helping to extend the life of your saw rather than spend money on pricey repairs.
How much does it cost to have a chainsaw chain sharpened?
The cost you incur to sharpen your chainsaw will vary depending on the tool you use and help you enlist. If you go to a professional, expect to part with between $15 and $30 (AUD).
Wrap Up
One of the best chainsaw sharpeners on the market is the Oregon 410-120 Professional model. While this electric sharpener definitely comes with a high price tag, it has all the bells and whistles, making it worth the investment.
For one, it’s compatible with chains from nearly every brand; be it Oregon, Husqvarna, or Stihl. Another reason why it’s often regarded as a universal sharpener is the fact that it can sharpen up to a .404 pitch chain.
This chain saw sharpener makes an excellent addition to any workshop or garage thanks to its flexible mounting. You can choose to mount it on a bench or wall . It also doesn’t hurt that it comes with a nice selection of accessories.