Time for Chainsaw Chaps

[japody]

As many have stated, I learned the hard way. Have a scar on my knee to prove it. Now I wear the Labonville full chaps when using the chainsaw. Bailey's had them at a decent price.
Labonville Apron Wrap Chainsaw Safety Chaps | Labonville Chainsaw Chaps | Chainsaw Chaps | www.baileysonline.com

 

[DieselBound]

On my list is also a pair of steel-toe boots. I've been pretty fortunate in that the first (and only time) I had a chainsaw get too close and personal I'd finished a cut and pulled the saw out really quickly and before the chain had completely stopped I'd brushed it against my pants. Cut my pants and removed a sliver of skin. I now, no matter how much I complain (being really hot out esp), put on chaps! A similar event occurred not too long ago, but it was against my foot, my toe. It left about 1/8" gouge in the toe of my boot. Another safety piece for me is that I will not operate a chainsaw unless my wife (or someone else) is near by.

 

[MossRoad]

Recent encounter with a chainsaw and knee, knee loses.
View attachment 512580

Time to search for some chainsaw safety gear. However I was a hit at the ER.

If you squint real hard that looks like my uncle Billy's smile.....


Hope you recover soon! :thumbsup:

 

[jimmysisson]

Been wearing chaps for years and never heard that about old ones losing stopping capacity. Cure for hot legs is to cut in cool weather, by far my preference. Around here that's November.
Jim

 

[jajiu]

Check out Husqvarna Chainsaws, Outdoor Power Equipment and Tree Care Supplies from Bailey's They have all kinds of great chain saw equipment. Whenever I need good quality equipment, that's where I go.

 

[jajiu]

I'm diabetic and when I use my splitter, many times the pieces drop on the top of my foot. I wear steel toe boots all the time, but that only protects the toes, I bought a pair of boots with metatarsal steel plate and now the wood just bounces off and my foot is protected.

 

[kco]

I narrowly escaped serious injury in an incident similar to the OP's two weeks ago. Clearing medium brush for a path and chain made a 6" gash through both heavy canvas layers of my pants at mid-thigh. Incredible how quickly it happened and that there was no contact with my leg.

I got Stihl strap-style chaps the next day and have used them about seven times since that valuable lesson. I bought full safety pants when we started heating exclusively with wood after we moved here 14 years ago. The pants are hot and require removing boots to put them on/off, so I didn't use them. While not providing as complete protection as full pants or wrap-around chaps the convenience of the simpler strap style chaps makes it more likely I'll use them full time.

I've been cutting wood for over 30 years and feel fortunate for the near-miss warning. It also caused me to start using the chain brake when starting the saw, idling the saw, and making significant position changes(which I was doing when I had the near-miss). It has only been a couple of weeks so I only remember to set the brake about half the time. However, I intend to continue until it is habit.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Yikes!! How'd that happen?

Those in the know recommend the labonville chaps. Especially the ones that wrap around the calf.

X2
Been fortunate enough to avoid injury through the years, but came close once with a no-name cheap pair of chaps. Upgraded to Labonville and decided to get the "Competition" grade which has even more layers of protection. Worth every single penny.

Biggest temptation for me is not to gear up for those "just a couple quick cuts", or its "too hot" out. I combat this urge by trying to cut in fall/winter and to listen to these kind of stories. Sorry it happened to you and hope you heal up.

 

[JimP]

Never used chaps for years until I noticed a couple pairs of jeans had cuts in them. That day I ordered Labonville full wrap chaps and after a couple years of use recommend them highly. Don't forget a forestry helmet (I like the Rockman more than Labonville). The gear may be hot in the summer but I feel queasy cutting without them. Jim

PS, I also didn't know that oily chaps were not effective. Can they be washed to return their effectiveness?

 

[scodemike]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and recommendations. It is healing up well and it is a lesson I won't soon forget.