In the past, sharpening a chainsaw meant working by hand on every tooth on the chain. Today's best chainsaw sharpeners are changing all that. Electric chainsaw sharpeners (also called "grinders") can quickly restore a dull chainsaw to its original condition.

Diyers also have a wide selection of affordable manual pencil curlers and files. Although these require more effort, diyers and professionals alike like them because they can use them in the field.

To find the best chainsaw sharpener for your needs, read on to learn which features are most important and discover some of the best chainsaw sharpener options.

 

Best Chainsaw Sharpener

 

BEST COMPREHENSIVE: Oregon 410-120 Universal Saw Chain Sharpener

BEST BANG FOR BUCK: Powercare FK001PC2 8-Piece Field Kit

BEST BENCH MOUNT: Oregon 520-120 120 Volt Saw Chain Bench Grinder

BEST WALL MOUNT: Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

Best Bar Mount: Oregon 23820 OK Sharp Chain Saw Filing Guide

Best Manual: Pferd 17300 Chain Sharp CS-X Saw Chain Sharpener

Best Chain Saw File: Kazco Chain Saw Sharpening File Kit

Best Portable: Oregon 541656 PowerSharp 16-inch Starter Kit

Also consider: Oregon 620-120 Bench Grinder with Hydraulic Clamping

 

Our Top Picks

 

Below is a list of the best chainsaw sharpeners. Each of these products has been thoroughly researched for their safety features, comfort and fit, as well as other special features of select brands.

 

1. Oregon 410-120 Universal Saw Chain Grinder

 

Oregon's chain grinder offers outstanding versatility and can be mounted on a shop wall or workbench where it can sharpen all five chain pitches (1/4-inch, 3/8-inch low-profile, 0.325-inch, full-profile 3/8-inch and 0.404-inch pitch) at 3,500 revolutions per minute (rpm).

This built-in, sturdy, first-class sharpening knife features a manual handle for securing the cutting links and comes with three grinding wheels, a dressing stone and a plastic grinding wheel gauge. This sharpener can also be mounted on a bench or the wall with the two included bolts. There is also a built-in visibility light that can come in handy.

 

 

2. Powercare FK001PC2 8-Piece Field Kit

 

For a budget-friendly, portable chain sharpening kit that is easy to use and effective, the Powercare pick provides everything you need to sharpen one or more chain saws. Capable of filing 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch and 7/32-inch chain pitches, this kit comes with eight chain saw sharpening tools that attach to a hardwood handle. The kit also includes a flat file and measurement guide for accuracy in the sharpening process.

This chain sharpening tool is meant to be carried around in your toolbox or pocket with its nylon carrying case with hook-and-loop fasteners.

 

 

3. Oregon 520-120 120 Volt Saw Chain Bench Grinder

 

Users who need to sharpen a variety of chains will want to check out the Oregon 120-volt saw chain bench grinder. It is a bench-mountable tool that can be adjusted to sharpen all five cutting link spacings (1/4-inch, 3/8-inch low-profile, 0.325-inch, full-profile 3/8-inch and 0.404-inch).

This Oregon chainsaw sharpener has three grinding wheels, a dressing stone, a grinding wheel gauge and a built-in light. The manual handle allows for a secure cutting link during sharpening. In addition, this model includes an updated vise, a self-centering chain vise, a downward angle setting and top plate, and adjustable vise handle positioning. The wheels rotate at 3400 rpm.

 

 

4. Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chain Saw Sharpening

 

Buffalo Tool's electric chain saw sharpener offers a variety of mounting options. Users can mount it on a bench, on a wall, or secure it to a vise. The wide range of adjustability makes it suitable for all common chain saw pitches. An easy-to-read angle guide assists in setting up the tool.

The chain sharpener plugs into a standard socket and runs at 4,200 rpm, so the 4 1/4-inch by 1/8-inch wheels can be sharpened efficiently without overheating or causing excessive wear. In addition, the unit comes with a 7/8-in. arbor. Buffalo Tool's electric chain saw a sharpener is a basic tool with no extra features offered by the more advanced options, at a very competitive price.

 

 

5. Oregon 23820 Sure Sharp Chain Saw Filing Guide

 

Manual chain saw sharpeners are great companions in the field, but they carry a high risk of inaccuracy that can affect cutting performance. The bar chain saw sharpener solves this problem. It mounts securely to the chain saw and maintains the required accuracy.

The Oregon bar chain sharpener stands up to the rigors of outdoor use and weighs just slightly more than a pound. Once set up, users can lock in the angle and depth settings for consistent sharpening. An archived chart on the back of the package provides useful guidance for beginners. Users can purchase low-cost files separately.

 

 

6. Pferd 17300 Chain Tip CS-X Saw Chain Sharpener

 

Compact and easy to carry with other tools, Pferd's chain saw sharpener is a great field sharpener. This rugged tool will withstand the inevitable shocks that come with working outdoors. Two large handles make it easy to grip with gloved hands. Even a beginner can get accurate results quickly.

Its biggest advantage over chain saw files and some electric chain saw sharpeners is that it adjusts the height of the depth gauge while filing the chain saw teeth. This helps maintain consistency throughout the chain. This tool is suitable for low profiles with a depth measurement distance of 0.025 and a chain spacing of 3/8". Models for other chain sizes are available.

 

 

7. kazco chainsaw sharpening file kit

 

Chainsaw files are often seen as a low-cost tool for DIY users who buy an electric chainsaw but don't have enough use for it to buy an expensive electric sharpener. However, in skilled hands, they are also great for quick sharpening away from the workshop.

With hardwood handles plus interchangeable 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch and 7/32-inch round files, Katzco's excellent chainsaw sharpening file kit meets all professional needs for fieldwork. However, it also includes a depth gauge and file guide for beginner use. The kit comes in a rolled-up bag that is easy to carry and adds excellent value.

 

 

8. Oregon 541656 PowerSharp 16-inch Starter Kit

 

This type of portable chain saw sharpener (sometimes called an automatic chain saw sharpener) sharpens the top of the chain saw teeth while the machine is still running. This is in contrast to the usual method of sharpening internal curves. Cheaper models may change the shape of the teeth, which reduces cutting efficiency and can weaken the chain, but Oregon's PowerSharp portable chainsaw sharpeners raise no such criticism.

Oregon's lightweight and durable tool uses precision-formed diamond stones and adjustable locating pins to ensure fast, accurate sharpening in the shop or the field. This model fits a variety of popular 16-inch chain saws with a low 3/8-inch profile pitch. Models suitable for other chain sizes are available.

 

 

9. Oregon 620-120 Bench Grinder with Hydraulic Clamping

 

With the Oregon 120V bench grinder, you can sharpen link after link without using a manual handle to secure the cutting link. The model rotates at 3,400 rpm and sharpens all five cut link pitch sizes (1/4 inch, 3/8 inch low profile, 0.325 inches, full profile 3/8 inch and 0.404 inches) with hydraulic clamping assistance.

It is equipped with three grinding wheels, a dressing stone, and a grinding wheel gauge and is compatible with almost all chain saws on the market. In addition, this model can be mounted on a bench or a wall with 2 included bolts.

 

Before you buy a chainsaw sharpening blade

 

Since using an electric pencil sharpener is very different from sharpening a chain saw manually, it is a good idea to understand how the pencil sharpener works. The chain is mounted on a horizontal guide on the base of the sharpener, and then the disc-shaped sharpening stone (similar to a circular saw blade without teeth) is mounted on the pull-down head.

The pull-down head is tilted and adjusted so that the grinding stone can contact the cutting link of the chain at just the right front angle. Keep the chain's guide rotating to ensure that the grinding wheel hits the cutting link at the correct side angle.

At first, the hardest part of using a chain saw sharpener may be setting all the angles correctly, but once it is set up, you can sharpen the cutting links on the entire chain in a matter of minutes.