A chainsaw is only as good as it’s chain. 

With a dull chain, a chainsaw just becomes the worlds heaviest paperweight.

It becomes almost impossible to cut down trees, shrubs, bushes, and stumps.

Chainsaw blades, just like knifes, blades, and other metal, need a tune up every once in a while.

Repetitive use and tough wood will eventually wear down even the toughest chains.

It’s cheaper to sharpen an old chain saw blade rather than buying a new one. 

Most chainsaw sharpenings will cost you no more than $15.

A brand new chain costs in the range of $25 to $45.

By sharpening a chain you’ll get more out it. If you don’t choose to sharpen your chain you’ll just end up spending more in the long run.

If you do choose to sharpen an old blade, it’s a good idea to carry or buy a spare chain. That way you can continue to work while your old chain is being sharpened.

This ones obvious. If your chainsaw has a hard time pulling itself into the wood and cutting, it’s time for a sharpening. Poor performance means something needs fixing.

A chainsaw should cut in a straight line. If your cut ends up slanted it could be the the teeth are uneven and grinded more or less on one side.

Be sure that the rest of your chainsaw is in working condition before jumping to the conclusion that your blade needs work.

Sometimes the motor and other components may be at fault.

If your chainsaw bounces around when making contact with the wood, it means that that chains teeth are not grabbing on and ripping through the wood.

A sharp chain will cut in a uniform and straight line.

We’re not talking about smoke coming from the motor. That’s an engine or mechanical issue.

If cutting wood causes sparks or smoke to come out of the cut, it’s because the chains teeth are not sharp enough and causing too much friction within the wood.

The high amount of friction will increase the heat and also give off smoke/burning smell.

A dull blade with too much friction will also cause a ton of sawdust to shoot out. If the shavings coming out from the cut are super fine, it’s probably time for a new chain or a tune up.

A normal blade with a good cut will leave square shaped wood chips.

There are too many variables to give a specific number.

It will depend entirely on:

While there is no exact number, we can say that each chain can be sharpened at least 2-3 times.

At the same time, we’ve heard some chains can be sharpened up to 10 times! After that, the chain will be too fine to sharpen any more.

Although sharpening your blade is a good thing, you want to keep the chain in the best condition possible.

Avoid hitting the dirt, rocks, or other debris with while cutting wood, it’ll increase the blade’s life expectancy.

Taking care of your chainsaw and chain is essential if you wish to increase it’s lifespan.

Here are some maintenance tips that will help you do just that:

Air filters become dirty and clogged with debris over time.

To keep the saw working properly inspect your air filter every few months. If you’re constantly working with a chainsaw, check the air filter every month.

An old or dirty air filter can cause an engine to overheat and cause permanent damage.

If you’re air filter is super dirty and a simple cleaning doesn’t work, it’s time for a replacement.

Not to worry! Air filters are super cheap and won’t cost you more than a few dollars.

If you’re using a two stroke chainsaw, putting the right amount of gasoline to oil mix is essential so your saw doesn’t cease up.

That’s why 2 cycle engine oil already come with the proper gallon ratios so you don’t have to calculate.

Never estimate what the proper ratio is. Read the owners manual in order to find out the proper ratio if you don’t already know.

Chain tension is very important for both maintenance and safety of the chainsaw.

To know how tight your chain needs to be on the guidebar, check the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for proper instruction.

WARNING: Only check chain tension when the chainsaw is completely powered off. If not, you risk serious injuries and losing some fingers.

Make sure the chain and other saw components are properly lubricated.

If you’re not seeing any oil coming off the saw, you may need to dump and refill the oil reservoir.

You can also purchase specific chain and bar oil that will help ensure a smooth cut.