I find it most difficult to run a chain less than near perfect, I know its just a mental thing and there are plenty of damaged chains still out there cutting wood but on my own saws I would rather the chain be in better shape than the saw outer body panels, plastic or metal. I changed out my first cutters around 1964 - 65 with little more than a hand file, punch and a hammer, took me an hour or more back then, now less than a 15 min job with the correct tools and parts on hand. Most of all the chain I run is either modified/shortened pre made loops I bought out during dealership closeouts, auctions etc. or made up off reels of chain.