If there are tears on the surface of the wood after the chainsaw chain cuts the wood, does it mean that the chainsaw chain needs to be sharpened?

Yes, if there are tearing marks on the surface of the wood after cutting, it usually means that the cutting teeth of the chainsaw chain have become dull and need to be sharpened. The cutting teeth of the chainsaw are designed to be very sharp, used to accurately cut into wood and make smooth cuts. When the chain becomes dull, the cutting process becomes less smooth, resulting in the surface of the wood not being cleanly cut, but rather tearing marks appearing. This is because passivated chains cannot effectively cut wood fibers, but instead pull or damage the structure of the wood, causing irregular tearing.
In addition to tearing marks, blunt chains can also increase the difficulty of cutting, requiring more force to push the chainsaw, and may even cause overheating or excessive wear of the chain. When the chain loses its sharpness, the cutting efficiency significantly decreases, and the cutting process may become slower and more laborious. If blunt chains are used for a long time, it may even cause greater wear on other components such as chains, guides, and sprockets.
Therefore, if tearing marks are found on the surface when cutting wood, it is usually a clear signal that the cutting teeth of the chain are no longer sharp and need to be sharpened in a timely manner. Grinding the chain can not only restore its sharpness and improve cutting efficiency, but also prevent further damage to the chain, extend its service life, and improve cutting efficiency.