Stump Vice - are they all created equal?

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

After a while, once you've trained yourself, you can get rid of the guide and probably the vice too..

you are a carver, you know what sharp looks like.

I've never seen so many gizmos as I have since I've been on this forum. I didn't know all of these things existed. Thus, I learned to do without. I tried a couple of guides and a vice and stuff since I've been here. It felt like all of that just got in my way.

IMO, holding the bar solid with a vise is important to getting good consistent strokes with the file. If the bar is moving back and forth as you put pressure on the tooth with the file, keeping a good interface between file and tooth is made much more difficult. Consistency is key when it comes to sharpening.

I honestly don't see a down side to holding the bar still at all...especially with a stump vise considering how small and out of the way it is. Can it be done without? Absolutely, however it's way easier with.

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

Bugger- shows up at my end? Must be a format the page does not like?
Was just a Stihl branded pocket knife- I mean if you are going for all the gizmo's you might as well have one of them?
Might even make a handy addition to the carving tool rack.

Yeah I’d get one! Ha ha

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

IMO, holding the bar solid with a vise is important to getting good consistent strokes with the file. If the bar is moving back and forth as you put pressure on the tooth with the file, keeping a good interface between file and tooth is made much more difficult. Consistency is key when it comes to sharpening.

I honestly don't see a down side to holding the bar still at all...especially with a stump vise considering how small and out of the way it is. Can it be done without? Absolutely, however it's way easier with.

Thanks for the great advice

 

[CR888]

Stump vices are great if you actually need one. That means your out in the field without backup chains but have filing equipment I have one but never use it, I take spare sharp chains, sometimes 12+ chains depending on what saws I'm using. When I cut wood I cut, when I sharpen I do them all together on the grinder. If you want to file in the field, by all means get a SV.

 

[holeycow]

In about 35 years of working around sawhands in the bush (since 1982 for the outspoken pup).I never saw a stump vise nor a file guide. Some of these operators could be counted among the best in the world. I just followed their lead when I bought my first chainsaw way back then.

nobody carries anything unnecessary in their pack when they jump on the helicopter..

if you train yourself to need a crutch you will always need a crutch.

hold the chain with one hand and the file with the other..

idk, but it works for thousands..

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

In about 35 years of working around sawhands in the bush I never saw a stump vise nor a file guide. Some of these operators could be counted among the best in the world. I just followed their lead when I bought my first chainsaw way back then.

nobody carries anything unnecessary in their pack when they jump on the helicopter..

if you train yourself to need a crutch you will always need a crutch.

hold the chain with one hand and the file with the other..

idk, it works for thousands..

This is why I don't allow my kids to have training wheels on their bikes. I don't want them to be like the thousands of adults out there that will always need that crutch since they started with it.

 

[holeycow]

Well, I didn't have those either. Training wheels, that is.

you're pretty smart for a pup, dontcha think?

 

[holeycow]

This is Tom's thread. Tom is a handy guy. And he understands sharp. And wood. Tom doesn't need a stump vice or a file guide.

imnsho

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

This is Tom's thread. Tom is a handy guy. And he understands sharp. And wood. Tom doesn't need a stump vice or a file guide.

imnsho

I appreciate the kind words mate, thank you

 

[holeycow]

 

[Tobystihl]

I have an old oregon one with the lugs ground into sharp points, makes it easier to knock into the log, works great and I've had it for over ten years!