What round files are you all using

[Rotty781]

What name brand are lasting a fair amount of sharpening ? Hearing a bit about black widow, anyone try them?

 

[Wilhelm]

I have been mostly using Stihl, but they went blah in terms of durability.
The ones with specs laser etched onto them go dull way to fast, the "old" ones with their specs stamped into them are very good.

I just started using Oregon files, they are nice still being as new, I'll see how they hold up filing a small fleet of 3/8" chains.
The local Stihlhead loggers shun Stihl round files and claim Oregon ones to be superior. They are running MS661's and MS462's.

 

[Rotty781]

I have been mostly using Stihl, but they went blah in terms of durability.
The ones with specs laser etched onto them go dull way to fast, the "old" ones with their specs stamped into them are very good.

I just started using Oregon files, they are nice still being as new, I'll see how they hold up filing a small fleet of 3/8" chains.
The local Stihlhead loggers shun Stihl round files and claim Oregon ones to be superior. They are running MS661's and MS462's.

Been using vollorbee and only get about 3-4 20” chains and don’t bite anymore

 

[Deets066]

Had a pile of save edge, some seemed to last longer than others. But decent overall.

 

[Wilhelm]

Been using vollorbee and only get about 3-4 20” chains and don’t bite anymore

I trashed two new Stihl round files "converting" two Stihl RS chains, one 3/8" & one .325", from factory round ground to Archer FastFiler round filed!
Enough said.
And no, I do not pull the file back having contact with the chain.

 

[Cat 525]

I try them all but quality has went down on them for sure.
Inconsistent from one to another out of the same box!

 

[Xr650jkallen]

I use Stihl files that come in the 3 pack, but like others have said, they do seem to dull fast. The price is pretty good on them though even know they are hit or miss.

 

[cuinrearview]

Vallorbe and Oregon

 

[Agr516]

Save Edge has been my favorite. They seem to bite better than Stihl's and certainly better than Oregon's.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I have a whole bunch on Stihl and Pferd files that I picked up at an estate sale for peanuts. I doubt I will ever use them all up. Both brands seem to work OK. I also have a few Oregon's lying around the shop in tool boxes here and there.

 

[Hinerman]

Had a pile of save edge, some seemed to last longer than others. But decent overall.

You nailed it. I think it is hit and miss with all of the brands anymore. Save Edge was all I used for a few years but the last batch was not good. I have had some good Stihl/Vallorbe files and some not so good also. Never used Oregon or Pferd ( I think).

 

[Al Smith]

That hard as tool steel Stihl chain will render an Oregon file almost useless in a very short period of time .I still have several dozen of whatever Baileys sold which are harder and less aggressive that do a good job .Might be save edge or Pferd forgot . As for Baileys since the place got sold I fired them .you might be able to access Bailey's web site which used to list how aggressive the chains are .

 

[Hinerman]

That hard as tool steel Stihl chain will render an Oregon file almost useless in a very short period of time .I still have several dozen of whatever Baileys sold which are harder and less aggressive that do a good job .Might be save edge or Pferd forgot . As for Baileys since the place got sold I fired them .you might be able to access Bailey's web site which used to list how aggressive the chains are .

Good point on the hard Stihl chain, which is almost all I use, but that is changing...

 

[Lightning Performance]

I try them all but quality has went down on them for sure.
Inconsistent from one to another out of the same box!

Yup

 

[Wood Doctor]

A quick file user tip. Sometimes I run into a drive link that has holes a hair small to mate with a preset link. A 5/32" round file works rather well in a jiffy for enlarging that hole just enough to fit. Seems easier for me than using a drill bit. I'll bet a buck that Philbert does it this way now and then.

 

[Deets066]

Good point on the hard Stihl chain, which is almost all I use, but that is changing...

Stihl is definitely harder, eats files like a mfer.

 

[stretch5881]

I bought 3 dozen Woodland Pro from Baileys a couple of years ago. They seem to last. I use them on mine and sharpen other saws that come into the shop before tuning.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Vintage Homelite brand, might be able to find them on EBay?

 

[merc_man]

Mostly the stihl and echo brand. They are the eastest for me to get locally. I think they might be made by the same company. The little pack they come in are the same other the one says echo and one says stihl

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[P.M.P.]

Been using Pferd for quite a while I like them alot.