Oregon files

[2broke2ride]

I have been cutting wood on my own for the last 5 or 6 years and have always hand filled my chains the way my father taught me. Up until recently I have been buying Oregon files in a 2 pack from my local hardware store. I got sick of spending $6 on two files so I ordered a dozen off of ebay.
I noticed on the dozen box they make a big deal of saying that they are Swiss made. The ones from the hardware store are made in Portugal. Is there a difference in quality like home depot husqvarna vs dealership husqvarna? I ask because I only seem to get a very limited number of sharpenings out of the hardware store files and was wondering if I might see a difference. Dad always swore by Oregon, that's why I've gone with them.

 

[Brian72]

I've pretty much converted to Stihl files. I get real good results and they hold up really well. Seems like most hardware store stuff is very hit and miss with quality and consistency. I run plenty of Oregon chain but I don't think they put the same quality in their accessories. Just my opinion but I think there are better choices.

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[Franny K]

I guess it depends on the hardware store. I bought a 5/32 file out of a box for $2.00 or so lately. I was picking up the box and looking for a brand. They thought I was trying to find the size. I could not see a brand name on it but the owner said it was Oregon. Worked fine. The ones that come with the file guides work fine. The Stihl ones come in a three pack for about $6.00. I think they are a bit coarser than the pfred files and probably the supposed Oregon ones. I would expect more consistency with Stihl and have never tried Oregon ones from two packs.

 

[Philbert]

A lot of companies have gone to multiple sourcing for some of their stuff. Oregon may contracted from a vendor with factories in multiple locations? It would be interesting to know if all of their bulk files came from a different factory than their hardware store packaged files.

I try to buy 'name brand' files, but have not compared them closely in terms of performance.

Let us know if you see a difference in file life.

Philbert

 

[KenJax Tree]

I haven’t used an Oregon file in a while. I believe Stihl files are made by Vallorbe they’re both made in Switzerland. I like Nicholson files i can get the at the local Ace Hardware.

 

[Philbert]

Saw this on an advertisement for Oregon files:


Also saw this brand!



Philbert

 

[Huskitoter]

I have been cutting wood on my own for the last 5 or 6 years and have always hand filled my chains the way my father taught me. Up until recently I have been buying Oregon files in a 2 pack from my local hardware store. I got sick of spending $6 on two files so I ordered a dozen off of ebay.
I noticed on the dozen box they make a big deal of saying that they are Swiss made. The ones from the hardware store are made in Portugal. Is there a difference in quality like home depot husqvarna vs dealership husqvarna? I ask because I only seem to get a very limited number of sharpenings out of the hardware store files and was wondering if I might see a difference. Dad always swore by Oregon, that's why I've gone with them.

Does Home Depot sell husky now? Are the ones they sell really better than what's found at a dealer?

 

[2broke2ride]

It may be lowes but either way, was just an example. My understanding is that those stores contract to the manufacturers to make equipment at a certain price point which sacrifices quality for quantity.

Does Home Depot sell husky now? Are the ones they sell really better than what's found at a dealer?

 

[2broke2ride]

Saw this on an advertisement for Oregon files:
View attachment 661711

Also saw this brand!

View attachment 661712

Philbert

That is what was printed on the 12 pack. The 2 packs I get are printed made in Portugal in small print and are on a red and white card.

 

[Philbert]

That is what was printed on the 12 pack. The 2 packs I get are printed made in Portugal in small print and are on a red and white card.

I think that this just varies over time.
Their packaging has also changed a few times over the years.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

My understanding is that those stores contract to the manufacturers to make equipment at a certain price point which sacrifices quality for quantity.

I think that it might be more 'features' versus quality, unless they make it a separate model.

E.g. 'Craftsman' brand chainsaws were made by Poulan for many years, in different colors, and sometimes with different features, but parts were interchangeable.

Home Depot sells the ECHO CS400 chainsaw with an 18" bar and chain only. I wanted it with a 16" bar and chain, and had to go to an ECHO dealer (same price).

Philbert

 

[DND 9000]

I believe Stihl files are made by Vallorbe they’re both made in Switzerland.

Here in Germany the Stihl files are made by Pferd.

 

[Little Al]

Most of the chain branded names ie; Oregon Stihl are put out to tender so are often made by a company that has capacity at that time so Oregon files could be manufactured by several different companys of late Stihl in France seem to be Ppferd Vallorbe, Barhco & Sandvik are good

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I like the coarser save edge myself over the finer pferd and others. https://performance-outdoor-equipment.myshopify.com/products/save-edge-file

 

[jakethesnake]

If it says Swiss made. They’re usually pretty damn good. I’ve tried lots of different files. If it says Swiss I’ll grab a dozen.

 

[CR888]

Both the Portuguese & Swiss make quality files generally. None of the saw oem's make files including Oregon. The guy holding the file is just as important as its quality when deciding longevity.

 

[user 122190]

I use Husky files, cause I bought a bulk box a while ago. To me they are all the same. One thing that makes a huge difference (for me, YMMV) is running the file backwards, every or so, across my gloves. Watch the metal shavings and file accordingly.

I haven't hand filed in a while. Rocked my chain this morning. The cutting performance fell off immediately. 5 strokes on the cutters each and I was nearly restored. I cut for about 10 minutes and did another 5 and I was nearly 100% again.

 

[user 122190]

My experience in this is with the John Deere dealer. John Deere would not down grade a machine and risk brand name deterioration. Lowes or Home Depot have to buy in quantities and/or reduce their profit margins, to sell at a lower price then dealers. It is up to the buyer to support a dealer who can service the machine or cheap out at big box stores.

It may be lowes but either way, was just an example. My understanding is that those stores contract to the manufacturers to make equipment at a certain price point which sacrifices quality for quantity.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Pic of some old square files I had and where made.

 

[rngrchad]

Funny this topic came up. I went to file my chain and grabbed a couple Oregon files. Half were Portuguese made and others were Swiss made. Both work well for me but the Swiss ones had a bit of a finer “tooth” or shall I say finer cutting grind. The grind on the Swiss did look an touch better. My chains won’t tell the difference.