How to Sharpen a Chainsaw Like a Pro: Easy Steps for Perfect Cuts! 

I’m an average homeowner and have gotten into chainsaws and axes since I retired. I am determined to get the sharpening correct. You make it look so easy. I have found that all the “gimmicks “are just that. A Round file and a flat file is what I want to learn. Thank you for the video.

Ive said it before, i love the way you film and share your knowledge. You dont boast or belittle others. Keep it up!

You have no idea how much I enjoy your videos. You are a great all around timber man and person. Before graduating from high school and several years after in early 70s I worked for 2 timber operations, one modern with a petti bone skidder and one with horses. During this time I also cut tons of fire wood. Everytime I watch you a fond memory of 50 years ago pops up. I wish you all the luck as your business and channel grows. Keith

I would love about a hundred more videos in this series going into detail about everything. Angle, raker height, different parts of the teeth and what they do. Watching this made me realize how much I don’t know. Great video.

Another good video, I touch my chain up every time I fuel up. It usually takes a pass or two with the file but it throws chunks out of it and not dust. Keep up the good work Sir.

I've watched several of these chain honing vids. This is the first one that does it the way I learned. I usually do it on the tailgate, or I straddle the motor. New file is crucial.

Great video. People like to brag on how good their saw cuts when it's actually the chain that does the good, or bad, job. YOUR chains always seem to deliver; now we know why.

Hey, thanks for another awesome video! Highly educational, no nonsense and straight to the point. Learned some really great pointers on how to properly file and run a saw to maintain an edge. Looking forward to more amazing content!

That was right on! Once you dull the "leading edge" on chisel chain, it's time to sharpen. I always do my rakers first because sometimes I hit my cutters and dull the leading edge. Keeping each cutter the same size is important. When bucking logs that are dirty, chipper chain is more forgiving because it doesn't have a leading edge. The leading edge touches the wood first. I don't use a gauge for my rakers, I just stay in sync with what's happening. Nice video!

I have used Oregon and husky chains only, in the past . But I heard you rave about the stihl rs 33 chain, I tried it and it is superior! Very little stretch cuts awesome , I try to learn a little something everyday from others experience, stay true to yourself and be safe .

I'm anxious to watch & listen to what you have to say about sharpening your saws always. cut so well in the hard wood you harvest 😊

Thanks for sharing. Another great video. Keeping the saw sharp is a must. Have a great week ahead and keep it safe man.

Awesome video thanks for sharing i love the straight to the point no bs approach to your videos. Looking forward to more of the series

Yup, it’s all about what works for You!!

Video I been waiting on, thanx. So I definitely need to stop as it starts to get a little dull and go ahead and spend a couple min sharpening instead of waiting and having to spend 30 min or more sharpening. Can't wait for more

I used to have to use a vice but my log boss showed me how to sharpen on the tire of the truck I have a video hope you have a great rest of your weekend

Awesome video man!

Thanks for this very good video, I learn`t a lot! Also every three ore for times time to clean the file. I never did this and it is so good! You use TSU Mura chainsaw bars. I will google for these to buy in the Netherlands

For me, hand filling is great. Quick and smooth strokes and chain is sharp as razor. Only racer paint in the A$$ but i handle this as well

Very informative video. Stay safe in the woods.

💯 on every step of this. I too straighten the factory angle I feel ( not a fact) that it gives me more curf and countless times while coming around pre wedge I will pause or go back to widen curf to prevent a pinch . Rakers I normally use a 4 inch grinder with the gap sand paper disk. I just give it a bump the trigger touch raker next . Thanks for the content as always .

I don't think I will every be able to hand sharpen the way you do I just plain suck at it. Always cuts on a angle for me. when I got the processor 13 years ago I got a 511AX oregon with a C N B wheel it does good but never as sharp as out of the box just being honest. Bar manintenance was a big one I had to learn on my own keeping the rails parallel I struggled with the processor with its cutting performance as the rails would become uneven the bar would not cut straight and would bind up in the cut. I now have a machine that will fix the bar. There is a lot to know to keep things cutting good and at the peak of perfomance. You doing a good job getting that info out to guys that want to learn.

You are So Right my Friend. I see you are using the RS Chain. That is the only Chain I use on my Saws. Sharpening the same way you do, all 2 strokes on every tooth. Doing my Chains today. About 8degrees above Zero, Wind Chill about -10 below. Getting my Saws ready for next Week. Getting more Logs delivered. Amazing how we both think alike on Sharpening of the Saws. Yes, the Logs are Cleaned if they have Dirt on them. Some Day I want to meet you so we can enjoy our thoughts on Wood Cutting. Ron from the Woodyard in Duanesburg NY.

Love that wood heat Brother. I been straight up Chucking cherry, oak, n locust all day. Even a lil walnut. Re-arranged the living room. Hard to get away from the crackle of the woodstove. 😅

When you’re sharpening your saw in the woods, do you just set it on a log and do it, or do you hold it somehow? Thanks for the video.

Thanx for sharing !

I agree 💯 I keep my saws sharp and the rakers right nothing I hate worse than seeing someone working their saws to death and not even cutting it is bad for the saws and for the operator,your saws always look smooth in the cuts and that is what I like as well,I'm to old to be beat to death lol

I've noticed how well your saw cuts. In every video. I'm just curious? If you ever ran the stihlo76 super saws? That's what we cut veneer with back in the late 80s early to mid 90s..those things really cut good.we both got older and bought a 372xp husqvarna after 2000.. needed a lighter saw.its been awsome for 20 yrs now.cut mostly firewood.or trees for free in the community. For neighborhood friends.we loved those stihl saws too.

Very Informative.

Great advice! Love the simple, direct and effective info you put in your videos! Do you ever use a bark spud for cleaning up logs? Was thinking about trying one out....

Nice video Feller!

I’ve had the same experience with making the angle slightly more obtuse. Just seems to hold up better in hardwood, especially if plunge cutting. I’m curious about raker depth. I’ve experimented with different gauges, but I’m amazed at how low goes out west run them. Nothing but bog down if I try even half that depth on hardwood or dense stringy shit like white elm or maple.

Well done!!🍺🍺💪💪👍

I agree: The uniformity in both tooth and raker height lends to a uniform cut. Any other approach is simply something less than optimal.

Very informative video!! Thank You Sir!!😊

You know your shi!

I get ridiculed at work for practicing the same concept you have I can't stand a dull chain. And I can't stand a short bar. I love giving someone my saw and the facial expression someone has when I let them run it. Good video

What fuel/ oil mixture do you use? Anything special?

Do you have a preferred file? I like the Valorbe and PFRED files I think they cut and last well.

Spot on and I agree and I do exactly what do as well, case closed.

Do people use File-Cards to clean metal debris out of their file's? Saw another RU-vidr saying, use the aforementioned between filing.. Is he right?

you were talking about a tooth getting struck and a tooth longer on both sides of it. That’s where a raker dept gauge comes into play. So that raker gets filled lower and then that tooth is grabbed the same chip as the one in front or behind it. I use to file a chain even strokes but not anymore. To file a chain half down because one or two teeth got struck there is no need. Everyone got there ways just like you said in this video

What brand of saw file do you prefer?

I know why you less the angle bevause it helps the holding hand stay on the tip of the tooth..because once you get off it then you gotta remove top plate and waist material..i use a wire brush and also axe to get mud off i thought about useing a grinder with certain wheel on it when quarter ing large hard wood rounds for firewood its always gets mudd on it during unload mostly have to do it by hand rolling them ..just did about 100 big oak hickory, hard maple 🍁 and cherry .and locust rounds some were like 5ft tall ..been hard

So basically, a 15 degree angle for hardwood.

Do you run a skip tooth it doesn’t look like it

Those saws look totally unused. No skip tooth

Basically your takeing less material possible and lessening the angle..