Thirty degrees. That is the one and only filing angle a Sherem chainsaw sharpener can produce. It cannot be adjusted.
It cannot touch the depth gauges that control how deep each tooth bites. It is a small carbide burr tool that clamps onto your guide bar through its two mounting holes.
The seller says it restores a dull chain in under three minutes with no batteries or cords. That claim is worth checking against what real chain sharpening actually requires.
This page covers what the tool is, what the seller claims, and how it stacks up against a real grinder. We have not tested a Sherem unit ourselves. Everything below comes from the manufacturer listing, the seller’s own product page, and how comparable tools are built.
What a Sherem Chainsaw Sharpener Actually Is
The tool is a small housing with a carbide burr wheel inside it. Two pins slip into the mounting holes on your guide bar. The whole thing rides in place while you pull the chain through by hand.
The seller’s product page lists a fixed 30 degree angle set by a built in guide bushing. It claims tungsten carbide construction and fit for bars from 6 to 22 inches. A separate Amazon listing markets the same design for bars 14 to 20 inches, bundled with several extra Sherem chainsaw sharpener whetstones.
The same basic design is sold under several other brand names on Amazon. That tells you it is a generic import part, not a proprietary invention.
Price sits around $30, usually bundled with a handful of spare stones. That is far cheaper than a bench grinder, and the low price is most of the appeal.
What Actually Matters for Chain Sharpening Accuracy
A chain cuts well when every tooth is filed to the same angle and the same length. Most saw chains want somewhere between 25 and 35 degrees, depending on the chain type. See why filing angle and depth gauge both matter if you are new to this.
Depth gauges matter just as much as angle. Each raker in front of a cutting tooth has to sit at a set height.
If it does not, the tooth either digs too deep or barely bites at all. A tool that cannot lower those rakers is only doing half the job.
A fixed angle guide only solves one variable. It cannot vary the angle by tooth type, and it does nothing for depth gauges at all. That gap is the core weakness of any single burr, bar mounted design.
How This Bar Mounted Tool Compares to Real Chain Grinders
Look at how a real bench grinder is built and the gap becomes obvious. Oregon’s own 410-120 bench chain grinder ships with three separate grinding wheels for different chain pitches. It also includes a dedicated depth gauge disc, a dressing brick, and a setup template.
The manufacturer treats wheel selection and depth gauge dressing as two distinct steps, not one pass with a single burr.
A guided file system like the Timberline splits the job differently again. A fixed file holder sets the angle while you still control the stroke by hand. Depth gauges get checked with a separate gauge tool.
The Stihl 2-in-1 Easy File goes further. It files the cutter and the depth gauge together in one motion, closer to what the bar mounted burr promises but cannot fully deliver.
| Tool | Type | Sets depth gauges | Price band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherem sharpener | Bar mounted burr, fixed angle | No | Around $30 | |
| Oregon 410-120 | Bench grinder, multi wheel | Yes (separate disc) | $$$ | |
| Timberline sharpener | Guided hand file | Checked separately | $$ | Price |
| Stihl 2-in-1 Easy File | Combination hand file | Yes, same pass | $ | Price |
Oregon 410-120 Bench Chain Grinder
Best Overall
5.75 inch wheel | three wheels for pitch changes | 120V motor | around $150 to $200
The manufacturer lists a 220W direct drive motor at 3150 RPM. Three grinding wheels cover quarter inch, .325 inch, 3/8 inch, and .404 inch pitch chain. It ships with its own depth gauge disc, dressing brick, and quick template.
This is the tool to buy if you sharpen more than one saw and want the angle and the depth gauges both handled properly. It is overkill for someone who touches up one chain a season.
Pros
- Handles multiple chain pitches with included wheels
- Dedicated depth gauge disc and dressing brick
- Built in vise and work light
Cons
- Needs a bench and an outlet
- Slower to set up than a hand tool for a single quick touch up
Timberline Chainsaw Sharpener
Best for Field Use
Guided carbide file | fixed angle holder | around $60 to $70
This is a hand tool with a fixed angle holder that rides against the bar while you pull a carbide file through each tooth. It sets angle consistently without a power outlet, which suits anyone sharpening in the field.
Depth gauges still need a separate check with a gauge tool. Owner reports repeatedly mention that the carbide cutter lasts a long time compared to a steel file.
Pros
- No power needed
- Consistent angle from a guided holder
- Carbide cutter outlasts a steel file
Cons
- Depth gauges are still a separate step
- Slower per tooth than a powered grinder
Stihl 2-in-1 Easy File
Best Budget
Combination file and gauge | one motion per tooth | around $30 to $40
Stihl’s manufacturer listing describes a two piece file setup that sharpens the cutting tooth and files the depth gauge to the correct height in the same pass. It comes matched to specific chain pitches, so you need the right size for your chain.
This is the closest budget option to the fast, cheap promise of a bar mounted burr, and it actually delivers on the depth gauge side. The recurring complaint is that technique still matters. A sloppy stroke gives an uneven edge no matter what tool holds the file.
Pros
- Files cutter and depth gauge in one pass
- Low cost and no power source needed
- Sized to match specific chain pitches
Cons
- Must match the exact chain pitch
- Technique still affects the result
Mistakes to Avoid With Any Bar Mounted Sharpener
Do not assume a single fixed angle burr fits every chain. Chains vary in their factory angle, and forcing one angle onto all of them changes how the saw cuts.
Do not skip the depth gauges. Even a well filed tooth cuts poorly if the raker in front of it sits too high.
Do not confirm your chain size after buying a sharpening tool. Confirm your chain pitch and gauge first, since a tool sized for the wrong chain will not seat correctly.
The Bottom Line
A Sherem chainsaw sharpener is a cheap, fast way to touch up a chain that is only mildly dull. It cannot adjust for different chain angles, and it does nothing for depth gauges.
For a chain that is genuinely dull or that needs its depth gauges reset, a real grinder or a combination file tool does the job a fixed angle burr cannot. See the full lineup of powered chainsaw sharpeners if you want to compare every option side by side.
The bottom line: skip this bar mounted burr for anything beyond a light touch up. The Oregon 410-120 handles both angle and depth gauges properly if you want one tool that does the whole job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Sherem chainsaw sharpener set the correct filing angle?
It sets one fixed angle, listed at 30 degrees by the seller. Many chains want a different angle, so it is a compromise, not a precise match.
Can it maintain the depth gauges on a chain?
No. The tool only touches the cutting edge of each tooth, not the raker in front of it. Depth gauges need a separate file or gauge tool.
How long does it take to use?
The seller claims a few minutes per chain. Actual time depends on how dull the chain is and how many passes each tooth needs.
What chain sizes fit this tool?
Listings vary, with some rated for bars 6 to 22 inches and others for 14 to 20 inches. Check the exact listing against your bar length before buying, since fit is not universal across every version sold.
Is a hand file a better choice?
For most home users, a guided file or a combination tool like the Stihl 2-in-1 gives more control over both angle and depth gauge. A bar mounted burr trades that control for speed and low cost.
Should I buy one at all?
It is a reasonable backup for a quick touch up between real sharpening sessions. It is not a replacement for a proper grinder or file if your chain needs real work.
Sources
- Oregon Products: 410-120 Bench Chain Grinder specifications, manufacturer product page. https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/oregon-professional-compact-120-volt-bench-grinder,-universal-saw-chain-sharpener,-for-all-chainsaw-chains-(410-120)/p/410-120
Related reading: corded electric grinders built for a bench cover the next step up in power, and the budget option Harbor Freight sells is a close price competitor worth a look. For Oregon’s full range beyond the 410-120, see Oregon’s own grinder options in more detail, and for more picks in this category browse more gear picks for keeping a chain sharp.