I hand file when I have to in the woods, but much prefer a grinder when I can. Usually I take along several sharp chains and change them in the field.
Chains may last a little longer with hand filing, but my personal experience is the edge is better and more accurate with a grinder. I know others think differently, but I never have pulling to one side and my bars seem to wear much more evenly now that I grind.
I have not used the newer manual files with auto depth filing and angle control and hear they are good. I just can't imagine going back to manual after learning the magic of electricity. Thanks Ben Franklin!
Thats exactly how we sharpen too.....I'm not horrible at hand filing, but I'd much rather put on a fresh chain, and go back to work.
When our old grinder's motor gave up, we got an Oregon industrial grinder, and it does a great job. It came with all 3 grinding wheels, and they're only 6-8 bucks to replace. I did eat a lot of cutter tooth the first few times I used it, but once I got used to it, it's fast, accurate, easy, and produces consistently sharp chains. It should though, for 300 bucks. Gotta do a lot of sharpening to justify buying it.
Sharpening with a new file is nice, but for me it doesn't take long before I feel like the file is dull enough to be worthless. How many sharpenings do you guys get from a new file?