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Best Chainsaw Sharpeners
Has your chainsaw chain lost its sharpness?
Sometimes even after taking care of our tools a time comes when you need to take extra care to make sure that they work at peak performance for as long as possible.
You can just picture it, you have been working hard with your chainsaw and diligently tightening the chain at the right times.
But now your chain has become dulled from the work and fixing the tension does not quite get your chainsaw back to its peak.
At this point, you probably realize that you will need a chainsaw chain sharpener. But, where do you start?
There are a ton of fantastic products on the internet. So, which one do you pick?
Well in this article we are going to give you a list of the very best products out there so that you can have a narrowed down list of the very best chainsaw sharpeners out there.
So, without further ado let us get started!
Ganberg Store – Hand Held Chain Grinder
If you are looking for a quick and efficient chainsaw sharpener then the Ganberg hand held chain grinder is just the product you are looking for.
This product is made in the United States of America and is made from excellent quality materials.
Which is why this machine will assuredly last you a long time.
This machine has three sharpening angles so you will easily be able to sharpen your chainsaw regardless of where you are sharpening it.
We really loved this product and would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a chainsaw sharpener that is a decent price, made of good quality material, and is made in the USA.
We really had no issue with this product, it worked as advertised and made sharpening our chainsaw a really easy and pleasant experience.
Pros
- Fast – This product is fast and efficient at sharpening chainsaw chains. So, if you need a quick and efficient tool to do the job this chainsaw sharpener is a great bet.
- Angles – This product has three sharpening angles so you can get the job done more easily. If you want a chainsaw sharpener that is easy to use then this is the best one on the market.
- Guide – This product comes with a guide that will show you the lowering depth gauge and adjustments for grinding stones.
- Easy to Use – Customers have found that this product is super easy to use. So even if this is your first chainsaw sharpener you will easily be able to use it.
Cons
- Missing Parts – Some customers found that this product had missing parts after it arrived which meant that this chainsaw sharpener could not be used upon arrival.
- Clamp Not Included – This product does not come with a clamp mount so you will need to use this product free hand.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website, make sure to check it out at Granberg International’s Store.
Granberg Store – Bar Mount Chainsaw Sharpener
This product is also made in the USA and is made from alloy steel, aluminum, and zinc.
It is a product made by the famous Granberg brand which just affirms that it is a good quality product and one that will get the job done.
This chainsaw sharpener is easy to use, so you will not need to struggle with a product that you can hardly get to work.
We really loved this chainsaw sharpener. It worked super well and when we got our hands on it, we found that it was quite heavy and well-made.
One gripe we had was that it did not come with files so you will need to purchase those separately if you want to use this product.
But as a whole, this device was certainly worth the money.
We highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a chainsaw sharpener that is good quality and has a twelve-month warranty.
Pros
- Made in the USA – If you prefer to purchase your products from manufacturers in the USA then this is a great product for you as they are based in the United States of America.
- Easy to Use – This chainsaw sharpener is easy to use and works quickly. So even if you have never sharpened a chainsaw before you will easily get the hang of it with this device.
- Material – This product is made from high-quality cast aluminum and zinc-plated steel so you can rest assured that it will last a long time.
- Warranty – This product has a twelve-month warranty, so if it is faulty within this time, you can take it back and either get repairs or a whole new product.
Cons
- Not Smooth Filing – Some customers found that this product did not file the chain smoothly which affected the way their chainsaw worked in the long run.
- Setup Time – Some customers found that this product took too long to set up and this hindered their ability to use the chainsaw in a timely manner.
- Missing Parts – Some customers found that this product was missing parts upon arrival. So, make sure to keep an eye on your sharpener’s parts when you get them in the mail.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website, make sure to check it out at Granberg International’s Store.
Oregon Store – Professional Universal Chainsaw Sharpener
If you are looking for a good quality universal chainsaw sharpener then look no further than this amazing machine.
This device is mountable so you can put it on the wall for added stability.
On top of that, this product has several purchasing options when it comes to the grinder style, so you can pick exactly what you need.
We really love this product, it is really well-made and even has a built-in light which makes using it in low lighting that much easier.
The fact that you can wall mount this device really makes it easier to use, luckily for us, we had the space to be able to do this but if you do not, it works really well.
We highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a good quality product that is able to sharpen chainsaws really easily and is a universal chainsaw sharpener.
Pros
- Purchasing Options – When you purchase this product you will have a selection of grinder style options that you can choose from. So you can pick an option that works best for you and your needs.
- Built-in Light – This product has a built-in light so you will be able to see what you are doing more easily even when lighting conditions are not optimal.
- Manual Clamping – This product has a menial clamping lever you can use to make your sharpening more precise.
- Wall Mounting – This product can be wall-mounted, this can make your life a lot easier when you need to use this device often.
Cons
- Welding – Some customers felt that the welding on this product was not ideal as they experienced the handle snapping off after using this sharpener for only a short while.
- Broken Upon Arrival – Some customers experienced broken parts of their chainsaw sharpener being broken upon arrival. So make sure to inspect your device before you use it.
- Mounting Bolts Not Included – This product can be wall-mounted, but wall mounting bolts are not included with this purchase.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website, make sure to check it out at Oregon Product’s Store.
Stihl Store – Easy File Chainsaw Sharpener
If you are looking for a product that is made in the USA and is of great quality then look no further than the Stihl easy file chainsaw chain sharpener.
This device is easy to use, accurate, and great value for money.
The etched lines on this product make it easy to get the perfect angle when you are sharpening a chainsaw and who does not want a product that is easy to use!
We loved this product, it worked really well. Using a file to sharpen chainsaw chains is sometimes the best way to go.
If you have been looking for one of these products for a while you will have noticed that customers are divided over whether an electric sharpener is better than a file.
Well, we are here to tell you that the files work remarkably well and if you get a good quality product like this they can even surpass electric chainsaw sharpeners.
So, if you are looking for one of these products and are leaning toward a file then this is the product we recommend.
Pros
- Made in the USA – If you want to support local businesses then you should consider this chainsaw chain sharpener as the company is based in the United States of America.
- Etched Lines – This product has etched lines that help you to get the right angle when you are trying to sharpen your chainsaw chain.
- Fast – This product sharpens your chains superfast, with this product you do not have to waste time with finicky chainsaw sharpeners.
- Easy to Use – This product is super simple to use. In fact, it is so easy to use that even a complete beginner could use this chainsaw sharpener.
Cons
- Potential Knockoff – Some customers found that their product was a knockoff Stihl sharpener. If you have any doubts we recommend following the alternative link below as that product comes from the manufacturer’s store.
- Does Not Work on All Chainsaws – This product will not work perfectly on all chainsaws. Some customers found that it had a tendency to not lay flat on chainsaws it was not compatible with.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website make sure to check it out at Stihl’s Store.
Buffalo Tools Store – Electric Chainsaw Sharpener
This machine is expertly designed and is sure to save you money when you take care of your chainsaw chain using this electric chainsaw sharpener.
Buffalo Tool’s electric sharpener is wall or bench mountable so you can improve the stability and access to this product.
It is made from good quality material that is sure to help it last a lifetime or more.
On top of that, the motor is quiet so you do not need to be deafened when you are sharpening your chainsaw.
This product was amazing to use. It is great value for money, easy to use, accurate and durable. All of which are great traits for a chainsaw sharpener to have.
We especially loved that the motor was quiet when using this device as the noise can quickly get too much when you have to repeatedly use this machine.
We highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a chainsaw sharpener that is durable and accurate because this product will not disappoint in those departments.
Pros
- Mountable – This product can be mounted on benches, or walls so you can have easy access and stability while you are using this amazing device.
- Quality – This product is made from good quality material that is bound to assure that your electric chainsaw sharpener will last a lifetime.
- Motor – The motor is powerful and stays on while you move from tooth to tooth so you do not need to start and stop the cutting wheel constantly.
- Quiet – According to some customers this chainsaw chain sharpener runs quietly so you do not need to be deafened by loud machinery while you use this device.
Cons
- Can’t Sharpen All Chain Sizes – This product is not designed to sharpen chainsaw chains. It can go between .05 and .08 inch chains but not 0.43 inch chains.
- Hard to Understand Instructions – Some customers found that the instructions that came with this device were difficult to understand and this made it tough to use this chainsaw chain sharpener.
- Missing Parts – Some customers found that this product was missing some parts when it arrived in the mail. So, make sure to keep your eye on the parts you receive.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website make sure to check it out at Lowes’ Store.
Oregon Store – Chainsaw Chain Sharpener
This chainsaw sharpener is made from top-quality alloy steel, so you can rest assured that it will stand the test of time.
On top of that, this machine comes with two grinding wheels, so if you need these accessories then this is a great product to try out.
If you are looking for a product that is easy to assemble and use then this is one of the best chainsaw sharpeners on the market.
Life is too short to be struggling with the assembly of a chainsaw sharpener after all.
This product really impressed us. It is well-made and was super easy to put together.
On top of that, it was accurate to a fault and worked fast when it was up and running.
Overall, there is really nothing we can complain about this chainsaw sharpener. It is good quality and works as advertised.
One thing we found a bit awkward was hitting the right angles. But once you get the hang of how this device works, that does not present a problem anymore.
If you are looking for a chainsaw sharpener that is well-made, mountable, and easy to use then make sure to check this product out.
Pros
- Grinding Wheels – This product comes with two grinding wheels included with your purchase. So, if you need this accessory you get them for free with this chainsaw sharpener.
- Easy to Use and Adjust – This product is super simple to use and adjust so even if you have never used a chainsaw sharpener before you should be able to pick it up quickly with this device.
- Fast – This product works fast, so if you need a tool that is quick to sharpen your chainsaw chain this is the best device for you.
- Mountable – This product is mountable so you can achieve stability and ease of use with this product if you wall mount or bench mount it.
Cons
- Faulty Batteries – Some customers found that after just a few uses the batteries in this product would become faulty and stop the machine from working as it should.
- Angles – Some customers found that this product was difficult to use and did not hit the right angles which made sharpening with this tool difficult.
- Missing Parts – Some customers found that this product arrived with missing parts. So if you purchase this chainsaw sharpener make sure to check what parts are there.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website, make sure to check it out at Oregon Products’ Store.
EzzDoo Store – 3 In 1 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener
If you are looking for a chainsaw sharpener that comes with all the kit you will ever need then this is the best product on the market.
The Ezz Doo chainsaw sharpener comes with a pro wrench, regular wrench, angle attachment, four wheels of varying sizes, and the sharpening tool itself.
On top of that, the machine itself is high-powered so you will have your chainsaw sharpened in no time.
This product really impressed us, it is well-made and comes with a variety of accessories, all of which were supremely useful.
Some customers found that this product was difficult to use due to the motor vibrating and while this is true it is not bad enough to make this an unusable product. If you are careful this can be an irreplaceable tool in your arsenal.
We highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a chainsaw sharpener that comes with a bunch of useful accessories and wants a product with a high-powered motor.
Pros
- High-Quality Material – This product is made from high-quality materials, for example, the titanium-plated wheel.
- High Power – This product has a high-powered motor so you can rest assured that it will work fast and efficiently when you use it to sharpen your chainsaw chain.
- Accessories – This product comes with different sized wheels, wrench, pro wrench, and an angle attachment along with the sharpening tool itself.
- Easy to Use – This product is super easy to use. So, you will not need to struggle with a device that you struggle to find the right angle on the chain while sharpening a chainsaw chain.
Cons
- Motor Vibrates – The RPM of this machine is higher than other chainsaw sharpeners which causes the machine to vibrate and this can make it tough to sharpen the teeth of your chainsaw.
- Noise – Some customers found that this chainsaw sharpener was too noisy for them and made using the device unpleasant.
- One Speed – This product has one speed which can mean that you may find it difficult to use this device for a lot of projects or even sharpen a chainsaw chain.
Best Chainsaw Sharpeners Buyers Guide
In this section, we are going to talk about what features you will need to look out for when you are shopping for a new chainsaw sharpener. So, without further ado, let us get started!
Manual Vs Electric
You have likely seen a variety of manual and electric chainsaw sharpeners both on our list and in your search. The question is, which one should you go for?
One of the first things you will have noticed is that both types require a lot of care and attention when you are using them to sharpen a chainsaw chain.
A manual sharpener like a file is normally much easier to control, but the big drawback of these chainsaw sharpeners is the fact that they are much slower than electric models.
You will also need to apply a fair amount of force to get your chain nice and sharp.
The great thing about working slowly and carefully is the fact that you will be more careful and this can reduce the risk of an accident occurring for both an experienced user and an inexperienced user.
An electric sharpener is faster because you can spend less time sharpening each blade.
The best among the best can even get this task done in seconds, but this will mean that modifications must be made to your chainsaw.
At the end of the day, it is entirely up to you to pick which one you prefer.
Just make sure to do additional research into manual and electric chainsaw sharpeners before you make your final purchase.
Height And Angle
Every single tooth on a chainsaw is a particular height and different chainsaws have different tooth heights.
But did you know that for each tooth height you will need a different sized file?
So when you are purchasing a chainsaw sharpener make sure that there is a file that is the right size for your chainsaw teeth, otherwise it will not work or you will damage the chain beyond repair.
On top of that, you will need to make sure that you are sharpening your chain at a particular angle so that the teeth get as sharp as they can.
You will notice that just about all sharpeners have angle markings so that you can align the file correctly but not all chainsaw sharpeners will be able to work at the correct height for your chainsaw.
So, before you purchase a sharpener make sure to read the manual that came with your chainsaw so that you can see what size file you will need and what angle you need to use in order to get the maximum sharpness for each tooth.
Portability
If you are working away from a workshop with a mounted chainsaw sharpener then you will need to consider the size and design of your sharpener.
This is because you will need to sharpen your blade quite frequently and if you are far away from anything that resembles a workshop you will need a small and light chainsaw sharpener that does not require electricity to work.
So, carefully consider how long you will be needing the chainsaw and where you are likely to be using it a lot before you get a sharpener.
This way you can purchase a product that will meet your exact requirements.
Frequency Of Use
How often are you going to be using your chainsaw sharpener?
If you are only going to need it every few months or once a year then you can consider getting something that is wall-mounted or even a manual sharpener.
But if you need this device every day several times a day because you work with your chainsaw all the time then you may want to consider getting a handheld electric sharpener so that you can save time.
Mounted Sharpeners
Usually, chainsaw sharpeners are mounted on a bench or on a wall. But this may be dependent on where you are working and what space you have available.
If you have a workshop and a workbench with a lot of space then getting a chainsaw sharpener that has a mountable option would be a good idea.
If you have a smaller shop and enough wall space then you may want to consider mounting your sharpener on the wall.
But if you do not have a space handy to mount your sharpener then you may want a simple handheld chainsaw sharpener.
So, make sure that you take stock of what your space is like and purchase a sharpener that is suitable for your needs.
Durability
If you are planning on using your chainsaw frequently then you should consider getting a sharpener that is more durable so that it can stand up to the frequent use.
The last thing you want is to get an expensive chainsaw sharpener only to find that it lasts only a month.
So make sure to look at the model, brand, and material so that you can gauge just how durable it is.
Also, you should consider reading customer reviews so that you can get an idea of what other people experienced in regard to the durability of the product.
Built-In Lights
The majority of modern chainsaw sharpeners will have built-in LED lights which will be useful in helping you to sharpen your blade more effectively.
Whether you are working in low lighting conditions or there is a shadow cast on the blade and you need light to see what you are doing, an LED light can be a huge help in making your life easier.
Having a light on your chainsaw sharpener can reduce the risk of accidents occurring and improve how quickly you work.
So, if this is an essential feature that you need, make sure to check that your favorite chainsaw sharpeners have a built-in light.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning chainsaw sharpeners.
So, if you have any burning questions about these devices this is the best place to be. Let’s get started!
Do Chainsaw Sharpeners Really Work?
Yes, chainsaw sharpeners work really well and can help to prolong the life of a chainsaw chain.
How Long Should A Chainsaw Chain Stay Sharp?
If you are using your chainsaw very often then you came to need to sharpen it as often as every three hours of use.
This can be time-consuming to make sure to purchase a sharpener that is easy to use and can be used in the field if you are sharpening for long periods of time.
If your chainsaw was only being rarely used then you just need to sharpen it once a year.
How Do You Know That Your Chainsaw Chain Is Blunt?
When your chainsaw chain is blunt and you look at the chain you will notice that there is a line of light on the cutting edge.
Because the teeth are chrome plated it can be easy to see these lines of light as signs that your chainsaw blade has been used and may be blunt.
How Long Will A Chainsaw Blade Last?
There is no real time scale for how long a chainsaw blade will last.
If you have a good quality chain it can last up to six years depending on how much you use it and how you care for the blade.
But if you look after the chain carefully it can last a lot longer than six years.
So, the answer to this question really depends on how you are caring for your chainsaw chain and whether it is good quality or not.
What Do Chainsaws Cut Crooked?
There are a few reasons that this could be happening but one of the most common reasons is that the chain was unevenly sharpened.
If the chainsaw teeth are unequal in size and uneven it can mean that the chainsaw will bite the wood differently with each tooth and this can cause the blade to cut.
What Are The Safety Measures While Using A Chainsaw Sharpener?
The main thing you need to be careful of is the blade as it can get sharp enough to cut your hand or even cause death if you are not careful while handling your chainsaw.
Because of this, it is very important that you use a good stable surface and wear the correct safety gear while you are sharpening your chainsaw chain.
On top of this, the sharpener has to be in good condition before you start using it.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and learned a great deal about which chainsaws are the best on the market.
There are a ton of features to look out for when you are purchasing a chainsaw sharpener, but depending on what your preference is and what your experience dictates you will know exactly what you need.
If you are new to using chainsaws and have no idea what you are looking for then we hope that our guide has been helpful to you and shows you the kind of things you need to be paying attention to.
Have a fantastic day and good luck searching for the perfect chainsaw sharpener.
Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
About the Author David Vieria
David has been a woodworker for most of his life — in his dad’s cabinet shop. After using the tools himself, he decided to share it his woodworking and power tools knowledge with DIYers. Read more about him