Originally Posted by
Exador
The Oregon grinder is a completely different kettle of fish to the cheapies. Mine is reversible, so you're always grinding toward the side plate, just as with a file. The cheapies only run one way and so they don't put a good "burr" on the edge on one side of the chain. It also allows adjustment of the top-plate cutting edge angle (hook). I follow the Oregon recommendations for their chain, although I do sometimes run a "sharper" edge, especially if I'm cutting soft stuff like araucarias or silky - down as far as 50 degrees sometimes. She certainly bites hard then.