Have you ever worked with a blunt knife? Is it not one of the most frustrating things ever? When it comes to chainsaws, working with a blunt chain will give you the same levels of frustration. The chainsaw will take longer to saw through the wood it it will even cut through it alt all, therefore wasting valuable time. Sharpening your chainsaw is a great way to keep it in tiptop shape and avoid frustrations when you have a lot of work to do.

So how do you start sharpening your chainsaw chain? You find the best saw sharpener for the job. Below you will learn how to identify the chainsaw sharpener that befits your chainsaw. There are also chainsaw sharpener products that can make a good fit for what you are looking for.

You may also be interested in how to maintain and service a chainsaw. Let us proceed.

There are manual chainsaw sharpening sets which are very affordable for taking on the job as well a electric models which are super efficient and make the job much easier.

Below is a quick summary of what we consider to be the best chainsaw sharpener for both beginners and professionals which is the Clarke ECSS2 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener. After this you will find our Buyers Guide and detailed reviews of 5 of our favourite models.

Our top 6 electric and manual chainsaw sharpeners that are included in our review

The Clarke ECSS2 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is a reliable model that is able to cater to different chain sizes and types, we yet to find a chain it could not sharpen. This model features an powerful 85w motor to power the rotating disc which should easily sharpen 50+ chains. The power availed by this machine supports a speed of 4800 rotations per minute which means it can sharpen a chain in around 2 minutes once you had some practice. The disc installed has a 108mm diameter and can be tilted at different angles to cater to the type of chain being sharpened.

This unit can be mounted on your workbench to make your work easy. The bolts and nuts required will have to be purchased independently as there not included which is a shame.  

It weighs 2.9kgs which is light enough to move from one place to another but heavier enough to be a substation well built piece of kit, specially compared to the cheaper Faithful model we review next. The unit also features a safety guard and angle gauge for accurate sharpening and added safety, still we recommend wearing eye protection.

The Clarke ECSS2 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener provides quality, effectiveness and is probably the easiest to use out of all the models.. You can sharpen a number of common chains with this model, in fact we couldn't find a chain size it wouldn't sharpen unlike the manual model were you have to be specific in the sharpener you choose. 

It is light but due to the construction materials used, it does see, like its built to last. Overall this is an excellent sharpener, probably one of the best ones we have seen, the instructions are also good unlike most models. All things considered, if we have to only recommend one model or invest in one ourselves, this would be the one we would choose which is why we name this model our 'Best Pick'. Clarke really have created an excellent tool.

The Faithfull Power Plus Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is one you need to get if you are on a budget but you still need a reliable model, which of course, is a must, no matter how cheap it is. It comes with an 85 watt motor that supports the revolving 4-1/4” diameter grinding disk. The grinding disc is 1/8" thick and works well with 3/8 pitch chains which is most chains you will probably use, that is both low profile and regular. 

For mounting purposes, you will find bolt holes so that you can mount the unit on a workbench. The chainsaw sharpener is not heavy and thus can be mounted without strain. It comes with an angle gauge and chain guide to ensure that the chains are sharpened with precision. It is straightforward to assemble and it is built strong enough to last for many years but it does seem to be manufactured from mostly plastic, however for the price it probably expected. It features a 5 year guarantee which is nice to have, much longer than most other models.

The Portek Maxi Chainmaster Chain Sharpener Mark II is designed to last and is perfect for user who utilize chain sharpeners often and professionals or those simply looking for a high quality model. This model features an 85 watt motor which is strong enough to support a top speed of 4200 rotations per minute. Even at that speed, the motor runs quietly which is good, specially when compared to cheaper model but for the price it should stand out for its performance. The grinding wheels are replaceable and should be 4.5mm / 3.2mm thick which is comes with.

The unit is able to service a number of different types and sizes of chains as do most models. It provides a cutting angle between 0-30° and a functional depth stop. Setting it up is easy and so is using it once you used it a few times. The instructions provided and very clear making assembly a breeze but the instructions on how it should be used could be clearer.

The Portek Maxi Chainmaster Chain Sharpener Mark II performs well and has most of the functions that you might need at a good price although it not the cheapest.

It can cater to a wide range of chain sizes comfortably with tools like the angle gauge and depth stop. It is easy to assemble and just takes a bit of time to adjust to it if you happen to be a beginner.

We would recommend this unit for professional use or those who use a chainsaw regularly and need a reliable model for daily use..

This Stihl Filing Kit is for 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch Picco Chains and is a simple sharpening kit. This sharpening kit comes with its own pouch that you can walk around with and store all the files together. If you looking for a manual model then you don't get much bette than this. The tools are made of good material and thus you are guaranteed that they will last longer which is expected for a Stihl product.

They are adaptable to dealing with 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch chains. The kit comes with a 4mm round file, a file gauge and a flat file. It weighs 286 grams indicating how easy it is to keep around your toolbox. Perfect for sharpening chains on the go.

The Stihl Manual Chainsaw Sharpener is attainable when you need a sharpener which can be used on the go. The handheld kit can only manage to serve a limited number of chains so be sure to check your chain size first to ensure you buy the right set.

It comes with the features that you need to sharpen chains easily, the instructions need improving but the quality of the files is much better than most other cheaper alternatives we have seen. Another great set from Stihl.

The Oregon 5/32" 4.0mm Chainsaw Sharpening Kit and Pouch is designed to cater to for all chains that fall under the .325 type of chains. The durable kit is created out of durable materials to ensure that they last longer and it included everything you need for bar and chain maintenance while in the field. The tools are encased in a red pouch that is hard to miss especially if you are out in the field using your chainsaw. You can even attach it to your belt if need it near for work. The kit comes with a 4mm round file, wooden handle, flat file, a bar groove cleaner and a depth gauge. As stated the sharpener is appropriate for 1/4" and 3/8" pitch chains.

You get what you pay for with the Oregon Chainsaw Sharpening Kit. It is cost effective and is great for using on the move. The kit will help you service specific types of chains making it limited in some instance it also good for bar maintenance as well as the chain itself.

We would recommend this to those who need a maintenance set to use on the move and in the field, everything you need in one little pouch. Overall we think the best option is to invest in an electric model and use this as a second sharpener to take on on the job.