I've always used the round file in the flat holder like these:

I've tried the jig on the end of a Dremel before. The grinding stone wears down too fast.

I'm not necessarily looking for something better but I am looking for something faster. What do you use and like?

Oregon sharpener with a CBN disk for sharpening them at home and a round file if I have to sharpen the chain on the alaskan mill .... if I am felling trees and the chain gets blunt i swap it for a sharp one . I carry a couple of spares with me.

I know you didn't like the Dremel but I have found that to be the best way. I think the stones cost around a dollar each and are good for 2-3 sharpenings, to me that is worth it.

Stihl 2 in 1 chainsaw file. It files the rakers at the same time.

I bought a sharpener from Harbor Freight and for no more then I do with a chainsaw, I think it works great.

If you use a Dremel don't use it to file the Rakers, use a regular file, the Rakers really take the stones out fast.

take the file out of the holder

maybe not a lot faster but you can get a different cut at it and you can go quick on the back stroke push it out of the cutting edge and let it ride the back of the raker

the holder keeps it sharpening the underside of the top plate which is good but , much of the cutting work is done with the outside edge and you get that better without the guide

clean the gullet out for more chip room also

x10

If you know how to file a chain the right way a file is all you need. I worked with guys in the bush for 30 years that couldn't file a saw to save their life. Lol

X100

I too didn't get much life out of Dremel stones.
I keep an aerosol can cap filled with oil on my workbench. A quick dip of the stone after each cutter makes them last a long time

It's all muscle memory.

Get your stroke down with a file, leave the nook at home.

It's not that hard.

WS

Quality round file with a good technique gets a chain sharper then them fancey sharpeners imo. Or something to look into learning how to do is square file sharpening gets a razor sharp beak.

The Timberline sharpener

Interesting, thanks, I'll give that a try.

I use/like just the round file.
One you get used to them, it goes quick.
Flat file for the rakers.dont take too much off.

This. It's all muscle memory. Use that flat file holder to keep the angles right if you have to though. Sharpen enough to where you get your angles right and you can leave that holder gizmo at home. Just like sharpening a knife with a whetstone; muscle memory. You need a 6" or 8" flat single cut to file your drags though.

I like to use the round file holder,simply for the weight and control. Learning to hand file saves time and can be used right out in the field easier.
There is a learning curve but so be it,.unless you're under the gun,practice makes perfect.

a vice helps more than anything to hold the bar still while you file

I mount a vice on my trailer , I also have a stump vice

stump vice works best if you cut a slot then bang it in
https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...4LtP8IH48hbUe4XPs37YkSE7DZRoCjU0QAvD_BwE

Do you file your rakers every time you sharpen the cutters?