The Stihl 2 in 1 Easy File is what most people mean by a Stihl chainsaw sharpener, and it is worth buying for most owners who sharpen their own chain. It clamps onto the bar and files the cutter and the depth gauge in one motion.
It is fast, it is simple, and it fits right in a saw case.
It is not the only Stihl option. It is not the right call for every chain either. This page covers the 2 in 1 guide in full.
It also covers Stihl’s plain round files, Stihl’s powered USG grinder, and the honest alternatives worth knowing about.
We work from what Stihl publishes and what real owners report. We never claim hands on testing of our own. Where sources disagree, we say so.
What Matters Before You Buy a Stihl Chain Sharpener
Every option on this page lives or dies on a few basics. Get these wrong and even a good tool leaves you with a bad edge. A chain that pulls to one side will not cut straight.
- Pitch specific fit: a file even half a size off will round the edge instead of sharpening it.
- Stroke direction: files only cut on the push, and Stihl’s guides are handed for left and right cutters.
- Depth gauge control: how much the tool lowers the raker, and whether you can dial that back.
- Chain type: round chisel and semi chisel chains work fine. Skip tooth and half skip chains need a different approach.
Our lookup tool for matching any chain to its file size covers every brand. This page sticks to Stihl chains and Stihl tools.
The Stihl 2 in 1 Easy File: How It Works
The kit includes two round files, one flat file, and a plastic holder. The holder locks in a fixed filing angle.
Stihl’s own instructions say to clamp the bar without clamping the chain. Mark the most worn cutter and center it at the top of the bar first.
Each stroke files the top plate and side plate with the round file. The flat file rides behind it and lowers the depth gauge in the same pass. Stihl is explicit on one point: never pull back on the file.
Stroke forward only, lift, and reset. Three strokes per cutter is typical, with a few more for a badly worn tooth.
The holder sets the angle for you. That removes most of the guesswork in freehand filing. That is the whole appeal of a Stihl chainsaw sharpener built this way: consistency without years of practice.
Matching Sizes to Your Chain
The 2 in 1 guide is sold as separate, pitch specific units. A 3/8 holder will not fit a .325 chain. Stihl’s own replacement parts are keyed to a single pitch each.
The .325 version gets its own fit and setup page.
| Chain pitch | Round file size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 inch Picco | 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) | Top handle saws, pole saws |
| 3/8 inch Picco / Low Profile | 4.0 mm (5/32 inch) | Most homeowner gas saws |
| 0.325 inch | 4.8 mm (3/16 inch) | Mid size farm and yard saws |
| 3/8 inch standard, Stihl chains | 5.2 mm (13/64 inch) | Larger Stihl saws |
| 0.404 inch | 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) | Professional and full size saws |
Worth flagging: Stihl’s own 3/8 chain uses a 13/64 inch file. That is smaller than the 7/32 inch file most other brands use on 3/8 and .404 chains. Timberline’s own sizing page calls this out directly.
That size gap lines up with what confused owners report when they grab the wrong replacement file. Check your bar or chain packaging rather than assuming by pitch alone.
Stihl 2 in 1 Easy File
Best Overall
Fixed angle filing guide | round file and flat file in one holder | pitch specific fitment | full bar in about two minutes per owners
Community sentiment on this Stihl sharpener runs generally positive. Real complaints come with it too. Owner reviews repeatedly mention how fast it is once you know the routine.
This is a Stihl chain sharpener built for a homeowner with one or two Stihl saws running round chisel or semi chisel chain. Owners running non Stihl brands, skip tooth chains, or who want raker control on their own schedule should look at the alternatives further down this page.
Pros
- Sets the filing angle for you, removing most of the guesswork in freehand filing
- Files the top plate, side plate, and depth gauge in the same pass
- Owners report sharpening a full bar in about two minutes once they know the routine
Cons
- Easy to get the direction confused early on, since the tool has to flip for the opposite row of cutters
- The flat file can lower the depth gauge more aggressively than some owners want
- The round file can ride too high on worn teeth, leaving a weak hook
What Owners Love and What They Gripe About
A smaller but persistent thread compares the tool to the Pferd CS-X. Several community sources describe the Stihl 2 in 1 and the Pferd CS-X as sharing the same underlying holder design. Posters often call the various branded versions identical rebrands with different file steel and color.
We could not find an official statement from either company confirming a manufacturing link. Treat that comparison as an owner observation, not a confirmed fact.
Stihl Round Files and Complete Filing Kits
Stihl also sells plain round files and complete filing kits without the 2 in 1 holder. These pair a round file with a flat file and a simple angle guide. You get more control over how much material comes off the raker on each pass.
This route takes longer to learn. Nothing sets your filing angle for you the way the 2 in 1 guide does.
It suits an owner who already reads a burr well. That owner wants to skip the raker on some passes, something the 2 in 1 guide will not allow.
Our full walkthrough of filing a chain by hand covers the technique this style of kit relies on.
Stihl’s Powered Option: the USG Bench Grinder
Stihl also makes the USG, a corded universal bench grinder. It is built for shop use, not field touch ups. Authorized dealer listings describe it as a stationary tool for sharpening several chains in one session.
It is a real step up in cost and complexity over a hand guide. It is overkill for someone who sharpens one saw a season.
We are not linking to a specific retailer for the USG here. Check current dealer listings for pricing if you run several saws commercially.
When the Stihl Tool Is Not the Answer: Honest Alternatives
The 2 in 1 guide is a Stihl chain sharpener built for Stihl pitches and reasonably fresh chains. It is not the best fit in every situation.
A chain that is very worn or badly chipped needs more material removed than a fixed angle guide handles well. Non Stihl chains, skip tooth chains, and a raker you want to adjust on its own schedule all point to a different tool.
Oregon File Kits
Best for Mixed Fleets
Separate round and flat files | covers a wider spread of pitches | for non Stihl or mixed chain fleets
For non Stihl brands or a mixed fleet, Oregon’s file kits cover a wider spread of pitches with separate round and flat files. You lose the built in convenience of the 2 in 1 guide in exchange.
Every other option, from bench grinders to rotary tools, sits in our chainsaw sharpener overview.
Timberline Sharpener
Best for Mixed Pitches
Tungsten carbide cutter | one holder fits multiple carbide sizes | no separate tool per pitch
The Timberline sharpener swaps the steel file for a tungsten carbide cutter. Timberline states the carbide lasts far longer than a hardened steel file. One holder body accepts different carbide sizes, rather than a separate tool per pitch.
It is a good pick if you sharpen chains across more than one pitch.
Granberg G-106B
Best for Worn Chains
Bar mounted filing guide | more leverage than a handheld unit | for chains needing heavy material removal
For very worn chains, or filing off the bar at a bench, the Granberg G-106B is a bar mounted filing guide. It gives more leverage than a handheld unit. That helps when a chain needs real material removed evenly across every tooth.
Dremel A679-02 Kit
Rotary tool sharpening attachment | fits Dremel tools | freehand angle control
Owners who already have a rotary tool sometimes reach for the Dremel A679-02 kit instead. It turns a Dremel into a sharpening attachment.
It demands a steadier hand than a fixed guide. It is also easier to overheat a cutter with. It suits someone comfortable with light touch power tool work.
Stihl Chainsaw Sharpener Buying Mistakes to Skip
A few mistakes account for most of the bad experiences reported with any Stihl chainsaw sharpener, guided or freehand.
- Buying the wrong pitch size because the chain was never actually measured, just guessed from the saw model.
- Skipping the vise and filing with the bar resting loose, which lets the angle drift stroke to stroke.
- Filing one side more than the other, the single biggest cause of a chain that curves in the cut.
- Running the depth gauge file on every sharpening, even on a chain that only needed a light touch up.
None of these are tool failures. They are technique issues, and they show up with any stihl chainsaw chain sharpener, guided or not.
Bottom Line
The bottom line: For a homeowner with one or two Stihl saws and round chisel chain, the 2 in 1 Easy File is the right first buy. It is fast, and it sets the angle for you.
The complaints in owner reviews are mostly about technique, not the tool itself.
Move to a plain filing kit if you want to control the depth gauge on its own. Move to the Timberline sharpener if you run mixed pitches. Move to a shop grind when a chain is too far gone for hand tools.
See what a professional shop sharpening actually costs before deciding a chain is worth saving. For everything else in this category, browse the rest of our sharpening coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Stihl 2 in 1 file do I need for my chain?
Check the pitch stamped on your bar or chain drive link. Match it against the size table above. Stihl’s own 3/8 chain uses a smaller file than most other brands’ 3/8 chain, so do not guess from memory.
Is the Stihl 2 in 1 Easy File the same tool as the Pferd CS-X?
Owners widely report the two share the same holder design. Neither company has publicly confirmed a manufacturing link. Treat it as a strong community observation, not a confirmed fact.
Can the 2 in 1 guide sharpen skip tooth or half skip chains?
No. The fixed spacing assumes a cutter on every link. Skip and half skip chains need a plain file and holder instead, or a shop grind.
How many strokes per tooth does the Stihl guide need?
Stihl’s instructions call for about three forward strokes per cutter on a normal touch up. Use more only on a tooth that is visibly duller than the rest of the chain.
Does the Stihl 2 in 1 file work on non Stihl chains?
It can, as long as the pitch and gauge match and the chain uses standard round chisel or semi chisel cutters. Stihl sizes some pitches slightly differently than other brands, so confirm the file size rather than assuming by pitch name.
When should I stop using a hand guide and pay for a professional sharpening?
Once cutters are visibly uneven in length or chipped, a shop grind resets everything in one pass. The same goes for a chain that no longer self feeds into the wood. Our guide to what that service typically involves covers when it is worth the cost.
Sources
- STIHL USA: 2 in 1 Filing Guide, product page. https://www.stihlusa.com/en/ap/2-in-1-filing-guide-1027074
- STIHL USA: Replacement Flat File, product page. https://www.stihlusa.com/en/ap/replacement-flat-file-1027112
- STIHL USA: Chainsaw File Guide, official how to guide. https://www.stihlusa.com/en/guides-projects/maintenance-safety/chainsaw-file-guide
- Timberline Sharpener: sizing guide, manufacturer specifications. https://timberlinesharpener.com/sizing/
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