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Chainsaw Sharpener 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?
2021 test8 productsBlades, Bits & Abrasives

Chainsaw Sharpener 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?

This 2021 head-to-head test of 8 chainsaw sharpener options has 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.

The verdict
Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
Runner-up

Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide

Price shown in test: $36

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Chicago Electric
Budget pick

Chicago Electric

Price shown in test: $29.99

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The quick take

The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.

Runner-upStihl 2-in-1 filing guide$36

Best in 1 of 3 measurements, including Cutting speed test, first attempt.

Budget pickChicago Electric$29.99

The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.

Cutting speed test, first attempt

  • 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint
    11.24 seconds
  • 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder
    9.78 seconds

    fastest of the first round of testing

  • 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
    10.2 seconds

    the best time at that point in the first round

  • 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit
    13.48 seconds
  • 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)
    12.33 seconds

    about a second and a half faster than the Oregon field sharpening kit

  • 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder
    16.2 seconds
  • 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener
    10.82 seconds

    moved into the lead at that point in the first round

  • 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener
    12.96 seconds

    about 2.5 seconds slower than the Stihl 2-in-1 file

Cutting speed test, after 3.5 hours of practice

  • 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint
    7.74 seconds

    moved into the lead and outperformed the new control chain

  • 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder
    8 seconds

    nearly as fast as the Granberg filing joint

  • 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
    8.26 seconds

    moved into the lead at that point in the retest

  • 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit
    8.89 seconds

    the fastest time yet at that point in the retest

  • 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)
    9.1 seconds

    very good but not quite fast enough to take the lead

  • 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder
    9.26 seconds

    better but not enough to take the lead

  • 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener
    11.34 seconds

    quite a bit slower than the Oregon field kit and Chicago Electric in the retest

  • 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener
    10.56 seconds

    quite a bit slower than the Granberg 12V

Sharpening time

  • 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder

    not stated separately from the setup description

  • 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
    about5

    and 1/2 minutes

  • 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit
    around7 minutes
  • 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)
    about5

    and 1/2 minutes

  • 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder
    4

    and 1/2 minutes

  • 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener
    about4 minutes
  • 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener
    about6 minutes
  • 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint
    not tested

Cutting speed vs new chain control (8.42 to 8.89 seconds across three passes)

  • 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint

    outperformed the new chain

  • 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder

    outperformed the new chain

  • 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide

    outperformed the new chain

  • 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit

    almost as fast as the new chain but did not outperform it

  • 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)

    did not outperform the new chain

  • 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder

    did not outperform the new chain

  • 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener
    not tested
  • 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener
    not tested
All measurements (1 more)+

Sharpening time, first attempt

  • 1Granberg Bar Mount Manual filing joint
    a little over6 minutes
  • 2Granberg 12V Bar Mount precision grinder
    not tested
  • 3Stihl 2-in-1 filing guide
    not tested
  • 4Oregon Field Sharpening Kit
    not tested
  • 5Chicago Electric Power Tools chain sharpener (Harbor Freight)
    not tested
  • 6Oregon 120V Bench Grinder
    not tested
  • 7Oregon Sure Sharp 12V electric sharpener
    not tested
  • 8Stihl portable 12V sharpener
    not tested

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)

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