Posted by John McNerney [162.158.62.170] on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 20:15:43 :
In Reply to: Re: OT: chainsaw chain posted by Karl [162.158.62.96] on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 20:07:47 :
The problem with carbide chains is that they cut significantly slower than regular steel chains. If you are cutting in really dirty conditions, it can pay off, but for me anyway, I prefer the faster cutting, even if I do need to stop and sharpen from time to time.
I also tend to get caught up in what I'm doing during a long day of cutting and not pay enough attention to whether I'm getting dehydrated/hungry/tired. However, I will notice a chain getting even slightly dull. Stopping to hand sharpen a chain is a break that also lets me assess how I am holding up.
Hand sharpening is easy to learn, especially with a decent filing guide. It does not take much practice to be able to meet or beat a new chain. (Pet peeve: I've met many dozens of people who THINK they do a great job sharpening with just a bare round file. I've met just 3 people that actually DO a great job. Most can beat a dull chain, but miss on finding a good combination of cutting performance and durability.)