Improve Your Chainsaw With the Best Chainsaw Sharpener

On our way to reach the absolute expertise in chainsaw sharpeners, we will start with the best-rated product we found, Clarke ECSS2 Electric.

This is a professional chainsaw sharpener, an electric bench type, suitable to all the commonly used chain types and sizes. It can be mounted to any hard bench-like surface due to rear fixing holes. Therefore it is pretty convenient and easy to use.

With a motor of 85W and 230V mains power, the rotary disc spins at an impressive 4800 RPM, allowing thus fast and accurate sharpening you would get at professionals'.

Furthermore, the electric chainsaw sharpener in question uses a 108mm grinding wheel that can be adjusted to perfect cutting angle every time, enabling you to control the entire process and prevent oversharpening or damage of the blades.

Another adjustment that this tool enables is the tooth length adjustment, allowing you to fix correctly whatever type of chain you choose to sharpen.

Plus, when combined with a handy spring clip, the tooth alignment goes as smoothly as possible.

Finally, this electric chainsaw sharpener is equipped with a safety guard so that the entire operation won't put you at any risk, and the price is quite reasonable, which is why this model has the highest customer ratings.

The next in line of the best chainsaw sharpeners is one fantastic manual maintenance kit from Oregon, the best seller on Amazon with only positive customer reviews. 

This maintenance kit is the perfect solution for the ones seeking a budget-friendly option as it provides all the tools needed for the bar and chain maintenance for a meagre price.

So, what we have here is one starter bar and chain maintenance kit, consisting of one Assembled File Holder, one Assembled Wooden Handle And Flat File, one Depth Gauge Tool, and one Bar Groove Cleaner.

This maintenance kit was intended for the use on 1/4 inches, 3/8 inches Low Profile Chainsaw Chain, in particular, Oregon chains type 91P, 91PX, 91VXL, M91VXL, 25A, 25AP or compatible chains from other manufacturers.

With this set, you will be able to sharpen your chainsaw, maintain the chain depth gauge properly, and clean the clean guide bars groove and oil holes.

The file is of excellent quality, 4.0 mm round one with wooden handle, pretty compact and easy to use. When correctly operated, it does the job perfectly, saving you a ton of money on maintenance.

Everything comes packed in a carrying case, very neat and practical, as you can take it with you in the woods or keep it in your car, and despite the reliable quality, the price remains the lowest on the market.

Our third offer is the most affordable sharpening kit we found with a slightly higher price than the Oregon model, but far more tools included.

This XL chainsaw maintenance kit was designed to include all the tools you need for proper bar and chain maintenance with pretty compact sizes so you can take it with you wherever you go.

It includes three round files, made of heat-treated, double-cut carbon steel, measuring 5/32 inches (4.0mm), 3/16 inches (4.8mm), and 7/32 inches (5.5mm).

Furthermore, in this set, you can also find three double-handle file guides with ergonomic handles for easier manoeuvring and better sharpening, one flat file, one depth gauge, and one chainsaw wrench.

All this can be packed in a full-zip field bag provided, so it is highly convenient for the transport.

What I like about this set are the practicality and quality. Everything is made of durable steel, and file guides help you stabilize the file and prevent breaking or bending.

Also, with two handles, the use is way less troubling as you can use both hands and apply even pressure.

What Faithfull promises with this saw sharpener is a long chainsaw life and durability for one honestly low price, and according to customer reviews, it keeps its promises.

This electric chainsaw sharpener is pretty easy to set up and to use. It comes with stone designed for 3/8 inch pitch chains, low profile, and regular, which are the most commonly used chains. Furthermore, it is compatible with both electric and petrol chainsaws.

What powers this electric chainsaw sharpener is a forceful 85-watt motor, with a frequency of 50hz, therefore it sharpens your chainsaw in no time.

With bench mounting bolt holes, you can easily install the sharpener to any hard surface, and an adjustable chain guide with angle gauge lets you with the chains perfectly and do the work effectively.

The only remark customers had about the product is its seemingly cheap plastic look that kind of blocks this product from being labelled professional; however, the performance is decent.

This Neilsen model is one of the cheapest electric chainsaw sharpeners on the market, which in itself is enough for users to doubt its reliability. However, it is one robust model with decent specifications and satisfying power.

The first thing I noticed on this saw sharpener is a heavy-duty steel base that mounts to any type of bench or wall with ease and provides a steady basis for your chainsaw.

Next off, this model is extremely versatile as the chain vise adjusts to whatever chain design and pitch you have.

Namely, it includes a 100 mm X 3.2 mm grinding wheel that, when combined with a 130-watt powerful motor, takes more than ten minutes to sharpen your cutting blade correctly.

As for the power, the sharpener's voltage is 230 V with 500Hz frequency and a no-load speed of 3000rpm. Therefore the product is not weak at all.

The customers claim that the instructions are not very simply put, therefore to someone not so practised at this trade, the item may be confusing to use.

However, for the price, technically, it is one excellent product with high customer ratings.

Next off, we have another electric bench chainsaw sharpener from Katsu with a highly affordable price and mid-range quality.

First of all, this model is suitable for 3/8" or 1/4" pitch chains, and grinding wheels 100mm ×10mm × 3.2mm (1/4inches) or the one that is provided with the sharpener, 100mm ×10mm × 4.5mm (3/8inches).

It has a high voltage 220-224V with 220W input power, so it provides quite a decent performance for the price range. Furthermore, its no-load speed measures 7500r/min, which is more than fine.

What is great about this tool are two grinding wheels you get with the sharpener, with additional tools needed for the setup.

However, customers claimed the instructions are poorly written and barely legible, so you would need some assistance if you're a first-time user.

Another minor drawback is the cheap design of the right sharpener, it seems entirely made of plastic, and many users complained about design faults that make the functioning less practical.

All in all, it is a decent product for the little cost, so If you're determined to buy an electric chainsaw sharpener, but your budget can not support the better models, this can serve as a good alternative.

Here we have another sturdy electric chainsaw sharpener suitable to all chain sizes and built to last long while providing excellent performance.

The model features a motor 85W strong with 240V voltage, therefore powerful enough to support 4200 rotations per minute and perform excellent sharpening.

What is great about this device is a silent operation despite the high motor power and fast rotations, so you don't have to worry about that.

When it comes to chain sizes, the machine is suitable to all commonly used dimensions, while it supports the grinding wheels 4.5mm / 3.2mm thick.

The best part is a fully adjustable cutting angle that can be set from 0 degrees to thirty-five degrees, which makes the sharpener easy to use and highly functional.

As for the price, this unit is a mid-ranger, but way more efficient than cheaper solutions, so i would definitely recommend it as one of the best options on the market.

Finally, as we commented on instructions for other models, here, the instructions are perfectly clear, making the assembly a piece of cake.

And we're back to manual sharpeners with another extraordinary chainsaw maintenance kit with even ten pieces for perfect chain and bar maintenance.

What this set includes are three round files, a file holder, one 6 inch flat file, one depth gauge, a quick check gauge, a hardwood handle, a quick check gauge, and a pouch.

Three round files provided measure 5/32 (4.0 mm), 3/16 (4.8 mm), 7/32 (5.5 mm), and all can be used on many different types of chains and pitches.

Furthermore, the wooden handle provided can be attached to any of them. The files are made of sturdy, durable steel so they won't break under pressure.

Moreover, a file guide has engraved angle markings to ensure accurate alignment during sharpening, and it has a quick lock system for stability and better control over the process.

On top of everything, you get a storage pouch that enables easy transport and helps you keep all your tools in one place.

We can say this set has all you need for a manual sharpening; it has a reasonable price and excellent review, so definitely consider it.

The final product on our list will be one honestly reliable and high-quality manual maintenance kit that has proved its excellence to many experienced loggers and therefore speaks for itself- Stihl Genuine 5605 007.

If you compare the price and number of items included, you might consider some more affordable sets as they contain more tools, but this set is worth the price.

The kit includes one round file with a wooden handle, one flat file with a handle, and a file gauge. The round file 4mm in diameter comes in a file holder and is suitable to 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch Picco Chain.

Now, If you're here, I assume you know your business, and I don't need to explain how popular Stihl products are in the trade. 

However, this kit, in particular, exhibits incredible quality and durability and can not be compared with cheaper alternatives on the market.

The only remarks customers had were the instructions that are a bit confusing, yet the manufacturer provided a video instruction on YouTube, so refer to it for further advice.

Also, the file is a bit hard to change as it is firmly connected to the holder, but on the other hand, it enables safe operation.

What we have here is a fantastic semi-manual rotary sharpener kit from Dremel. It’s ultra-efficient, bringing your chainsaw to its former glory in minutes with minimal effort invested. It’s a semi-manual device because it’s not the bench-type that you fasten to the surface, but you’re manually controlling the tool, yet the grinding is done automatically.

First of all, what I’d like to point out from the very beginning is that this is a set of accessories. They can be attached to the Dremel drills, models: 275, 285, 395, 398, 595, but without the tool, they are simply grinding stones you would need to use manually.

Now, the set includes one sharpening angle guide attachment, one adjustment gauge, and four chainsaw sharpening grinding stones.

Each of the four grinding stones is different in size, so you can sharpen many different chainsaw models with the same kit.

Due to a precise angle guide attachment, you’ll always get flawless results and sharpen your chainsaw like a professional.

Lastly, the maximum grinding depth you can achieve by using this Dremel kit is thirty millimetres, and the price for the entire set is very affordable.

Next off, we have one fine-quality manual chain sharpener from KKmoon. It’s highly rated with more than two hundred positive customer ratings on Amazon. And although it doesn’t seem a lot, this is a brand on the rise, ready to take over the market.

What makes this sharpener so efficient is the optimised shape with grinding stones on both sides, and two handles, so you can operate the tool with ease without putting yourself at risk of getting hurt.

The files come at two diameters, 4.0mm and 4.8 mm, while the tool itself measures 80x60x25mm and weighs 350g.

When I first saw this sharpener, it really reminded me of the famous Stihl 2-in-1 sharpener, and it indeed features an identical design. As I went through Amazon comments, many customers asked whether this device is as effective as the Stihl sharpener since the price is considerably lower.

So, according to the customer reviews, it really is decent in quality and won’t break easily due to its bearing steel structure, so you can buy it as an alternative to the Stihl tool if you find the price too expensive.

Manual Sharpeners

Manual sharpeners are excellent starter tools. They come in the form of a sharpening file with a wooden or plastic handle, and they are incredibly portable and lightweight.

Their favourable characteristics are low cost, portability, and compact design. So they are an excellent choice when you are going to the woods, as you can bring them with you and sharpen the teeth as needed.

Furthermore, as you are operating them manually, you can control the process and prevent the oversharpening.

Another great tool to combine with a manual sharpener is a stump vise that helps you stabilize the blade and sharpen it more conveniently.

Electric Sharpeners

Electric chainsaw sharpeners, as the name implies, use an electrical power source to run the motor and mechanically sharpen your chainsaw blade. There are two main types:

Bench sharpeners are the most frequently used chainsaw sharpeners due to their convenient design. Namely, they can be mounted to any surface, and require the least manual interference.

You simply attach the chain securely in the clamp, adjust the grinder angle, turn on the motor, and file the teeth. The process should be repeated until the entire blade is sharp again.

A hand-held electric chainsaw sharpener is a semi-mechanical device, as the motor is running a spinning disc that works as a grinder, but the operation is manual.

You are in control of the speed, accuracy, and angle at which you file the teeth. These tools require a lot of skill and pre-knowledge, so they are mostly used by professionals who are already comfortable with this process.

Battery-powered sharpeners function on the same principle; the only difference is the power source, that in this case, is a battery, so they have a limited run-time and therefore are slightly less efficient.

The advantages of electric sharpeners are the less effort-consuming operation, faster sharpening, and more professional results. However, they are more pricey, and there is a higher risk of oversharpening than with manual files.

If this is the first time you're about to do the sharpening, here are some useful videos you can watch to get familiar with the process and learn more about the chainsaw maintenance and saw sharpener:

Does the chainsaw teeth sharpener really work?

What is the best way to sharpen a chainsaw chain?

Once again, the answers to this question vary from one professional to another.

You should choose the method that is the most compatible with your skills and the amount of effort you are willing to invest.

However, we can say that the manual mode seems like the most secure way to sharpen your chainsaw as you are entirely in control of the process.

Why does my chainsaw get dull so fast?

There are countless reasons why a chainsaw may be getting dull too fast.

The primary reason is cutting through dirty logs. Dirt is the worst enemy of sharp chainsaws, so try to avoid it by all means. Also, the groove needs to be clean, and each side of it should be flat.

Another reason why your chainsaw could be getting dull too fast is the rakers. If the rakers are too far down, the chainsaw can’t stay sharp for a long time.

What is the best chainsaw sharpener?

Absolutely the best professional chainsaw sharpener, to my mind, is the Clarke ECSS2 Electric. It can be installed on any hard surface, and it’s an electric rotary model, so it requires minimal to no effort.

What is more, you can use it for all commonly used chain types and sizes. You can adjust the angle and tooth length, so the results are flawless each time.

How often should a chainsaw be sharpened?

While this is a pretty controversial question leading to many debates on the internet, the most frequently seen advice is to sharpen your chain a bit every time you fuel your chainsaw up.

You cannot go wrong by doing this, and you will avoid any possibility of a kickback due to a dull chain.