MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
Both.
Lots of variables though with both grinding and filing. A few points below...
Just how good are you at filing or do you just think you know what you're doing?
Do you actually know what settings to use on your grinder for the type of chain you are sharpening or even how to use your grinder properly? I use 65° on my Speed Sharp which replicates a file angle very closely. When resharpening with a file very little reprofiling of the cutter is needed with a 7/32° file when head is set at 65°.
What grinder wheels are you using? They make a massive difference, as does the quality of the grinder itself.
The nice, sharp edge on a round filed chain is hard to beat with a grinder but I believe can be basically equalled for all practical purposes by somebody who knows what they're doing with a well setup grinder.
In tough, abrasive conditions a ground chain will outlast a filed chain. In clean conditions on green wood a filed chain is hard to beat for cutting speed but nothing in it really. I have started filing in the field for convenience. I got sick of coming home after 8 hours tree felling and having to grind half a dozen blunt chains.
Many people here mention that "razor" sharp edge on a filed chain. This lasts all of 0.8 of a second when cutting which instantly brings it back into line with a ground chain's sharpness.
Some angles on filed chain can't be replicated with a grinder and vice versa.
Blah blah blah
Lots of variables though with both grinding and filing. A few points below...
Just how good are you at filing or do you just think you know what you're doing?
Do you actually know what settings to use on your grinder for the type of chain you are sharpening or even how to use your grinder properly? I use 65° on my Speed Sharp which replicates a file angle very closely. When resharpening with a file very little reprofiling of the cutter is needed with a 7/32° file when head is set at 65°.
What grinder wheels are you using? They make a massive difference, as does the quality of the grinder itself.
The nice, sharp edge on a round filed chain is hard to beat with a grinder but I believe can be basically equalled for all practical purposes by somebody who knows what they're doing with a well setup grinder.
In tough, abrasive conditions a ground chain will outlast a filed chain. In clean conditions on green wood a filed chain is hard to beat for cutting speed but nothing in it really. I have started filing in the field for convenience. I got sick of coming home after 8 hours tree felling and having to grind half a dozen blunt chains.
Many people here mention that "razor" sharp edge on a filed chain. This lasts all of 0.8 of a second when cutting which instantly brings it back into line with a ground chain's sharpness.
Some angles on filed chain can't be replicated with a grinder and vice versa.
Blah blah blah