Spent 3 years sharpening my chainsaw chain wrong until a logger stopped me

I was using a round file on a semi-chisel chain and wondering why it dulled after one big maple. Old timer at the Husqvarna shop told me I needed a flat file for the rakers and the difference was night and day. Any of you guys just learn a basic thing you missed for years?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesley_hart1mo ago

I mean sure, sharpening a chain wrong is gonna make it cut slower. But "night and day" difference? I think people overhype this stuff sometimes. I used a round file on a semi-chisel chain for years and it cut fine, just had to touch it up more often. The raker height matters more than the file shape in my experience. Unless you're cutting all day for a living, most of us probably wouldn't even notice the difference in the time it takes to buck up some firewood. I bet that old timer just wanted to sell you a flat file.

the_julia1mo ago

Honestly that old timer story got me too. I spent like two years sharpening my chain with a round file and it cut okay but nothing special. Then I tried a flat file last month on a new chain and wow, the cut was totally different. It felt like the saw was doing half the work for me. I used to blame the bar or the chain itself but now I think I was just making it harder on myself. Your point about raker height is real though, if those are off nothing else matters. I just wish someone had showed me the flat file trick years ago instead of me figuring it out by accident.