Chain Question About Angles

[Cody]

I think when you're sharping with a file holding the handle down gives you less hook than staying level.
Some people like more hook than others, I like to stay as close to what you get out of the box or off the roll as possible.

You're right, it will have more of a hook, but is it that much more noticeable. Obviously that point is what wears down first so it doesn't do a person much good by having just a bit more of a hook. Much like sharpening knives, there's an ideal angle but it doesn't matter any if the steel is softer. I primarily cut oak, and the ash that I cut is almost never fresh, green stuff. I usually save the semi chisel for the ash but even in green oak, the corner of the cutter on a chisel chain gets slightly worn, so near the end of it's life it's rounded like semi, but not nearly that rounded. So the point isn't nearly as much of a hook as a fresh loop. I don't know if anything I just said makes sense, so in the Billy Madison sense, I hope I didn't make anyone more stupid. Either way, I'll continue the 10 degree tilt, just because. I just can't imagine that it makes a huge difference at the end of the day.

 

[J.W Younger]

You're right, it will have more of a hook, but is it that much more noticeable. Obviously that point is what wears down first so it doesn't do a person much good by having just a bit more of a hook. Much like sharpening knives, there's an ideal angle but it doesn't matter any if the steel is softer. I primarily cut oak, and the ash that I cut is almost never fresh, green stuff. I usually save the semi chisel for the ash but even in green oak, the corner of the cutter on a chisel chain gets slightly worn, so near the end of it's life it's rounded like semi, but not nearly that rounded. So the point isn't nearly as much of a hook as a fresh loop. I don't know if anything I just said makes sense, so in the Billy Madison sense, I hope I didn't make anyone more stupid. Either way, I'll continue the 10 degree tilt, just because. I just can't imagine that it makes a huge difference at the end of the day.

I like oregon lpx the best in chisel but the stihl is really good too and has an angle indicator on the side plate and top plate, at least in the.375 rsc does, don't think the .325 does but when you free hand the angle marks can help keep you consistent.
The main reason to stay away from too much hook is it takes support away from the tip. If it gets rocked or the idiot on the handle keeps going when it's making dust, you loose a lot of chain life real quick.
Near the end of the chain life you can drop from a 7/32 to a 13/64s and maintain a proper side plate angle, if you hand file and stuff.