2021 test8 productsBlades, Bits & Abrasives
Which Chainsaw Sharpener Brand Wins?
A head-to-head test of 8 chainsaw sharpener options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Some figures on this page were transcribed from the test video and have not been independently re-verified. Treat the numbers as a close guide and watch the full video for the exact readings.
Runner-up
Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
Price shown in test: $36
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Budget pick
Chicago Electric
Price shown in test: $29.99
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | Sharpening time, first attempt | Cutting speed test, first attempt | Cutting speed test, after 3.5 hours of practice | Cutting speed vs new chain control (8.42 to 8.89 seconds across three passes) | Sharpening time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint$41.49 | a little over 6 minutes | 11.24 seconds | 7.74 seconds, moved into the lead and outperformed the new control chain | outperformed the new chain | not tested |
| 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder$95.33 | not tested | 9.78 seconds, fastest of the first round of testing | 8 seconds, nearly as fast as the Granberg filing joint | outperformed the new chain | not stated separately from the setup description |
| 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide$36 | not tested | 10.2 seconds, the best time at that point in the first round | 8.26 seconds, moved into the lead at that point in the retest | outperformed the new chain | about 5 and 1/2 minutes |
| 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit$18.99 | not tested | 13.48 seconds | 8.89 seconds, the fastest time yet at that point in the retest | almost as fast as the new chain but did not outperform it | around 7 minutes |
| 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)$29.99 | not tested | 12.33 seconds, about a second and a half faster than the Oregon field sharpening kit | 9.1 seconds, very good but not quite fast enough to take the lead | did not outperform the new chain | about 5 and 1/2 minutes |
| 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder$194.99 | not tested | 16.2 seconds | 9.26 seconds, better but not enough to take the lead | did not outperform the new chain | 4 and 1/2 minutes |
| 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener$30.48 | not tested | 10.82 seconds, moved into the lead at that point in the first round | 11.34 seconds, quite a bit slower than the Oregon field kit and Chicago Electric in the retest | not tested | about 4 minutes |
| 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener$83.99 | not tested | 12.96 seconds, about 2.5 seconds slower than the Stihl 2-in-1 file | 10.56 seconds, quite a bit slower than the Granberg 12V | not tested | about 6 minutes |
How it was tested
- time required to sharpen a dulled chain with each system
- cutting speed test, six 4x4 posts with a weighted lithium chainsaw, first attempt
- cutting speed test repeated after roughly 3.5 hours of practice with each sharpener, checked under a microscope
- cutting speed comparison against a brand new, never sharpened chain (three passes)