Razor-Sharp Chainsaw - How It's Done

There is a whole science behind making a chainsaw chain razor sharp. In this instructional video we walk you through the steps necessary to make your chain sharp without expensive equipment.

[@waynelewis881]

Years ago, my dad’s old Homelite died, so I bought him a brand new McCullogh ProMac, since he needed a dependable saw for winter heat. After a few months, I asked him how the new saw was working out. His reply was that he’d never be cold because he worked up a hell of a sweat yanking on the rope.

[@craigdavies7042]

You two are a great team. The teaching is excellent, Swedish people are amazing and the Husqvarna machines are the best design and build I have found.

[@robertshorthill4153]

Craig Davies. I agree about this fellow. He knows what it is to get a saw sharp. Love that guide he uses. Wish I had one like it -- never seen one before. Way easier than these Italian made junk contraptions out there. And Stihl makes one that files teeth and raker depth at the same time, but have to be sized to the chain and pitch. They want $30 or so each and if it's as good as touted, it might be worth the investment -- anything to retire my clamp on italian junker.

[@gorned999]

@@robertshorthill4153 The Stihl 2 in one is made by Pferd. It is cheaper to buy it from Pferd. Well worth the price. It takes less than 5 minutes to file the chain and set thee rakers all at once.

[@yellowdeer7163]

Tim is an excellent instructor. Great explanation on sharpening chainsaw blade. Thank you Simeon and Tim.

[@maarts665]

Thank you! This is best tutorial I have seen. You explained stuff very well.

[@peterosko5040]

Excellent tutorial. Video detail, and technique, were well-presented. Thank you! Pete.

[@DanielSami]

Great tutorial. I have several chains in my shed that have been used just once, so with these instructions I will be able to sharpen and reuse them. Great image, good definition on your video, so details of the filing can be clearly seen. Thank you both!

[@raymondcline5193]

I was sharpening my Husqvarna without a guide but took your advice and purchased the guide and new files. Made a huge difference in the cut of my saw! Thanks for the video and tips!

[@johnstanton8499]

Thanks very clearly explained Gives me confidence to have a go now

[@CarlisleSpirit]

Definitely the best explanation of the process i have seen ; many thanks for posting

[@bear9923]

WE CALL THOSE THINGS "RAKERS". YOU GUYS ARE GREAT. THANKS

[@tellingmamom6823]

Worst part is what everyone calls rakers arnt actually called rakers no clue what they r but it’s not actually rakers, but rakers are the best name and everyone says it anyways

[@jonathanhalpern9004]

Excellent video. Probably the best one out there on this subject. Lots of fine points mentioned about the process which were highly useful. Thanks and best wishes from USA.

[@petergambier]

Great tips thanks. For many years I have just sat with the chainsaw between my legs and the chain slightly angled upwards, this is because I'm out in the woods a long way from my vice in the workshop and the angle was better for my bad back. So after watching your film this has clearly shown me the error of my ways, now all I need is one of the rolling guides.

[@jeffbingaman2754]

Don't worry telling me how to sharpen a chainsaw. I own a poulan. They never get dull....nor do they start. I'll watch anyway. Just to see what it's like to have a running chainsaw. Wow listen to them. Yours sounds great. But I have nothing to compare it to except my poser poulan. Oak is very hard..... Not as hard as getting a poulan running. He was actually complaining about if you sharpen it improperly your saw will pull sideways. Poulan owners don't have that problem.....because they never start. And that's basically the only problem poulan owners ever have with their chainsaws. So poulan wins with less problems. What a great advertising gimic

[@lancehenthorn17]

My poulan is 17yrs old and still runs good. Yes it has been used over the past 17yrs! Infact it's running better than my huskie Rancher which must be a member of a Union. I say this because it works for awhile then stops working all together. Haha!

[@bobbelsekwol]

Have you tried a time and trusted measure I once saw. Change the name badge to a husky or an old Stihl, just do it secretly so the the saw doesn't know. Starts first time every time.

[@fivestring65ify]

@@lancehenthorn17 I bet it gets better pay than the Poulan

[@lancehenthorn17]

@@fivestring65ify I got smart and bought a Echo CS-490 20in bar. Runs like a top. More than I can about my husky. As for the Poulan still runs smooth!

[@IAMNOSLEEP]

My Poulan turned 40 this year. Replaced the tired cylinder with a great shape used (gasket delete) and new piston rings just last month. It will keep with any saw in its 56cc range. Cheers...

[@geograph1000]

thankyou for a no-nonsense video, concise. and straight to the point

[@towerhillbilly]

The old logger/saw mechanic who taught me how to sharpen a saw 35 years ago called the depth gaugers " drags".Good video boys good English too...Thanks!

[@Grizz270]

we call them rakers

[@keithbrookshire]

Fantastic, this is just what I needed to see. Thanks for the very concise instruction.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

I want to commend you for a great instructional video. I have sharpened my chains in the past but now I only do so on a very rare occasion in the field. My chainsaw dealer and repairman keeps excellent matinance on my equipment and keeps my chains sharp as I have regular scheduled matinance days. You do a great job. I don't think I ever did it that well or as through.

[@FacetsOfTruth]

Very well done, Guys! You answered so many of my questions. Like why I was only getting small chips no matter how sharp I got it and why I was not getting straight cuts. The saw always cuts from center starting out, but wanted to pull very hard towards my right leg at the end of my cuts. Thanks so much. Very well done!

[@DcaCo123]

GREAT VIDEO, both of you did a very good job and explained in detail for all to understand. Thank you, from North Michigan, USA

[@missyrae7497]

Guys, this was very informative. Please continue to educate folks. Great job!

[@beoutside]

I use those same chains and guides on my 288 xp , it,s never dull with those tips and tools !

[@13Nussbaum]

I have that exact same "Clean up after yourself" sign by my workbench. Haha. Wonderful video. Thanks.

[@peterward5723]

Very clear instructions on sharpening the chain. Thank you

[@albertducharme3937]

Thank you, now I know how to properly sharpen my chain saw.

[@claudiocisternas2920]

I traveled to Sweden to get a 3/8 file kit from the Husqvarna store in Sunne. The drawings in the back are anything but self explanatory... now I know how to use the kit. Thanks guys!

[@iexlrate1]

excellent video! very informative, I've known how to properly sharpen a chain since I was young, but have always just guessed about how much to file off the depth set tooth (raker tooth) , I did not know there was an actual gauge for this. I ordered one and found I get much better results from my sharpening jobs. A note to add after watching, If you use a degreaser or solvent to remove any residual oil on the saw blade before filing your file will last much longer. As a tool and die maker / machinist, I know oil will cause the file to slip for the first stroke or two until the oil is pushed off by the file and this will cause it to dull. Be sure to re-oil the chain and bar before running the saw.

[@masmits]

Tak! Great description of what is important in sharpening these chains!

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

Thank you. You showed exactly how you do it and how important the numbers and angles are.

[@fennis26]

The best sharpening video. Thanks for getting the camera angle in close enough so we can see what you're doing. Excellent video!

[@thomasfarkas5458]

I really like the idea of having some type of instruction for first time chainsaw users. It is considered to be the most dangerous tool in shed. Great video, I was taught how to sharpen but turning the file is new to me. The next time I'm sharpening I'll include it.

[@arthurjurkowitsch9785]

Thanks I always wanted to know how to sharpen my chainsaw correctly. keep up the great work.

[@ryy597]

thanks, because of your video i ordered the same exact husqvarna kit and dept gauge!

[@robholland5925]

Thank you for posting Simeon

[@YamarajaDasaAlcyone]

Awesome video, thank you! I never knew about the roller chain guides until I saw this. Great to know how to get your chains as sharp as possible. Can't wait to get one of the roller guides and give it a go :-)

[@gregmislick1117]

been sharpening my chains in this way for 30+ years - Dad said I had to learn to sharpen them before I could learn how to dull them. Once you develop a sense of feel for this, you can do an 18" chain in about 15 - 20 minutes ( unless you hit a rock) and they do come out sharp. There is a certain zen tot he file cutting the teeth - enjoy

[@aarondxn5330]

5 minutes to do an 18" and about 8 to do a 20". What are you doing? LOL

[@adelalukacova7982]

Thank you brothers for your very inspirational and highly educational video. I have showed it to my husband and he was much impressed too. Now we need to find papers from our chain, to find out size and then purchase the sharpening set. No more dull chain, no more send the chain to sharpening service.

[@carltonmassey9251]

excellent video; very well presented;in perfect English. Many thanks

[@TheForeverchanges]

I like the detail and thorough explanation. Thank you for a well done video. I am off to buy a file and depth gauge.

[@paulwharton1850]

Excellent - I learnt a lot. Many thanks......all the way from London !

[@MaxwellBenson80]

You two are as professional as it gets!

[@falfield]

Brilliant! Such a pleasure to see a thoughtfully-made video, showing the key points with good focus and framing, clear speech at a steady pace and no rambling off the point. The tips given as asides are also pertinent, and about right in number - more would have been....less.

[@richardjohnson7563]

Excellent video - I learned a lot, thank you very much

[@paulwharton1850]

Very, very good video. I learnt a lot. Many thanks from London.

[@arlingtonguy54]

Excellent. This is the best saw sharpening video i have seen. All your videos are clear and concise and easy to follow. I see I need to get the guides as I have always done it by hand and gotten poor results.

[@semco72057]

I love the way you both demonstrated how to properly sharpen a chain saw and especially the brand you own. I have a Stihl, and two Poulan chain saws which is gas operated, and one battery operated Poulan Pro saw which I use also. The battery saw is the one which will probably need to be sharpened since the others have not been used since leaving the saw shop for repairs. Thanks for showing us how to sharpen our chains.

[@demonrathunter]

Excellent video guys! you just have to take your time and do it right.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Thank you for this very clear instruction on how to sharpen a chainsaw. I was apprehensive about sharpening mine (chainsaws can be so dangerous), but now I'll try to sharpen the chain myself. BTW, I really admire your English. It's your third language, and yet you know even slang and technical terms. Very impressive. (I could never speak Swedish nearly as well.)

[@normantagima8099]

Great yet simple demo .Take it on board.

[@LoopHoleize]

Well just great, another tool I have to buy. Thanks for the video!

[@mikebrown-pl7oi]

even without reading the positive comments. I knew you Guys explained the sharpening very well.Thank you very much for the video and God Bless!

[@Quadflash]

Thanks! This video was clear and quite helpful.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Great job guys, very helpful for many people, I'm sure!

[@sob1843]

Very informative thanks very much from the UK

[@mascatrails661]

wow! that's a sharp chain! gonna have to find me a proper little sharpening rig. love how those rollers keep the file nice and level.

[@ronstark1927]

great knowledge for us I'm going to use what I've learned and sharpen my two saws

[@TheLittlered1961]

Interesting guide you have there. I have never seen one like it. I do prefer my Oregon sharpener though. It has a stop so every tooth is sharpened exactly the same. The biggest mistake people make is not filing down the depth guide teeth. Am glad you covered that.

[@RatSleds]

Excellent chainsaw info Takk!

[@VitorMadeira]

Yes, for me ir was really very good. Thank you. Greetings from Portugal.

[@carinacheralley1345]

Thank you this has been a big help to me.

[@c138599]

Thankyou!!! I learned a lot from this video especially importance of maintaining the riser height. You explained it very well. I had been sharpening the teeth OK for many years but never touched the risers. I guess this is why, even though well lubricated, my chains sometimes get very hot and go blunt quickly without having done much work. (20 year old Stihl 038 - ironbark, grey gum, blue gum, stringybark, and hard black wattles.) And I now know how to pronounce Husqvarna. - Pete, Australia

[@michaelb.5345]

Great teaching Tim, thank you...Mike

[@davidschwartz2398]

I did not know about that type of saw tooth gauge. Very good instructions. Thank you.

[@mebhi2]

Great information. Enjoyed having your brother along.............

[@PapaDutch]

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you guys for your brilliant and incisive tips on saws and wood cutting. In the last two years I have had to get up and going with some serious chainsaw work around my place to prevent damage and/or hazards to my place out in the country in the American southland. What I have found is that in a place like the USA many people just go out and buy themselves a new chain without ever understanding how to sharpen and maintain a saw chain as it should be. This means that most of them are spending a lot of money they shouldn't - and getting very poor performance from their equipment most of the time because they don't realize how dull their chain teeth are, when with a little knowledge and practice they could have saws that cut like nothing they have ever experienced before. As I told a friend of mine in the next house over from mine: "Once you have got used to sharping your saw - everyone else who sees you use it will think there is something almost supernatural about it because it cuts so crazily fast..."

[@InvestorAcademyPodca]

Exactly, we don't know how to cut trees in the US.

[@fennis26]

In SC we use bulldozers mostly.

[@charcar78]

Thanks for all the pointers, Tim. My dad got a Husqvarna a year ago and so far I've done most of the sawing and he has done the sharpening. After cutting up some beech yesterday the chain is in need of sharpening and I think I will give it a go with all this useful info.

[@simeonandalex]

Go for it! Thanks for the feed back.

[@danielfalcon4266]

Good Video. I will sharpen my chains that way. Thanks.

[@ronfrost7587]

Very informative. Thanks to your and your brother, excellent channel.

[@MrLeatherman23]

Wow! So much NEW stuff I learn! I have never seen a gauge like that. It would have been so handy. The best we had when I first learned back in the early 70s was a piece of flat metal that attached to your file. The Ag teacher at school didn't like them so taught us his way first, then with the gauge. Oregon Chains were brand new at the time, too! I was taught to file from the other direction, too. This lowered the incidence of a burr occurring on the outside of the tooth.

[@MrLeatherman23]

I forgot the first thing I noticed and wanted to mention. IS oil the best lubricant to use on that? Wouldn't graphite be a better lube? It comes in an alcohol carrier that lets it get into the area it is needed and then evaporates leaving the graphite lube behind. Oil will hold onto the little bits of metal and dirt and become a grinding compound, yes?

[@oneslickhomestead4142]

Thank you for the video, I did not realize my rakers were supposed to be on that angle

[@mtmtodd]

Great job. I enjoyed this video.

[@ronhart4166]

Great video and advice !! Thanks for sharing

[@kufena]

Thanks to this awesome video, I faced up to the chainsaw again. Purchased a new file kit for my husky as I have had real problems with the one that came with the saw. New one is 0.8mm smaller in diameter than the one that came with the saw itself! But is the one for the chain that my saw uses! No wonder I've struggled.

[@robsonads1]

Perfect explanation!! Thank you.

[@robertreed1868]

Robson Oliveira u

[@keiboman]

What a great video! I'd imagine those Swedish winters give you plenty of time for sharpening!

[@simeonandalex]

Oh Yes. But it is during the winter time when you go out in the forest...

[@forest_dweller_2]

This was very helpful for me thank you very much!!

[@BeingJapan]

Thanks so much for this information. Its helped a lot!

[@TheSonsOfSimon]

Very informative! Thanks. Great video.

[@martinbarnicle3667]

Very good instruction

[@jhend8038]

Great video

[@johnconrad5487]

thanks for sharing. the sharpness is amazing

[@mimisfavorites5269]

It's nice to see your growing in subscribers. Happy New Year!

[@izzycamaro]

great video thank you ,have a wonderful day

[@mattdarek5021]

excellent explanation... you guys make it so easy to understand.

[@rcschlieper]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@Canadianhonkindiesel]

Great technique! I enjoy your videos and this was no exception. Nicely done, very professional....

[@j00k3]

Riktigt kul kanal ni har! Har nästan kollat alla era sågvids. så jag ska börja kika in resten också. Vi har ett sågverk hos svärfar som vi ska lära oss köra med och kunna ta hand om skogen själva. Jättekul! Så med mina nyvunna kunskaper, både från er och från att ha prövat hemma ska vi börja ta hand om vindfällor. Kör hårt!

[@PowerTom286]

Well explained Simeon and Tim

[@richardlibby2407]

Amazing video.

[@Nobodyspecia]

Awesome info!

[@nkcwilliams]

Great video. Keep the chainsaw videos coming.

[@thomasarussellsr]

crazy sharp to go through the oak like that when sharpened and set for soft wood. Nice job.

[@reddog6429]

That's sharp !! Thanks ! I'm in the Ozark mountains cuttin' firewood. Gotta keep that chain sharp . I cut mostly oak .

[@ozarkmountainoutdoors4737]

Red Dog west fork AR here!

[@MrBillmechanic]

best video in theinternet forthis skill! thank you. goodjob.

[@Glock-1]

Good video guys keep them coming

[@cliffp.8396]

Nice handy work, excellent result.

[@MLRS6]

well explained and demonstrated. thx

[@Morbius1963]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@jamesdickson3616]

Thanks for the information guys ,very helpfull

[@geraldwest3428]

Excellent video, thank you

[@tulo66an]

Väldigt bra film om filning av kedjan