Time for Chainsaw Chaps

[scodemike]

Recent encounter with a chainsaw and knee, knee loses.


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

 

[motownbrowne]

Yikes!! How'd that happen?

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

 

[scodemike]

Actually I was cutting limbs off a down tree and it cut through much faster than expected and hit my knee. I didn't realize I was injured at first, cut in pants, then I saw all the blood. The cut went to the bone, left a nick in the bone.

I was looking at the Stihl safety kit, includes helmet, muffs, gloves, chaps and safety glasses.

 

[Citydude]

This just reinforces me wearing my chaps. I wear them however every now and then, the lazy little buddy in my head tries to talk me out of them.

 

[murse72]

At the lake I was talking to a guy about jetskis yrs ago and the guy goes " I know you , you took care of me in the er " and holds up his leg and I see the 10inch scar and i instantly remembered the guy Bad chainsaw accidents standout Glad all your parts are there and you just got sutures

 

[CobyRupert]

Admittedly, I don't always wear them, especially if it's "just a couple quick cuts".
But after 20 years of firewood, I got a pair and within a couple weeks I'd put a nice nick in them.
Right near the knee too. Glad I had them.
One of those cases of getting tired and letting the saw drop to move on to the next cut before the chain had stopped spinning.

(Though I told the wife they're only ripped because their extra thickness makes them stick out so much farther...catches the chain.. )


The thing with chainsaws is you can be perfect 99.9999% of the time.....and that's not enough.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I've been bit a few times luckily never that bad. I only put chaps on when running the 660 towards the end of the day when I start getting tired. That saw is bad and I'll need all the help I can get to get that chain shut down.

Brett

 

[kenr74]

I work in the forestry industry and have learned to never touch a saw without gear on. Sometimes I spend more time gearing up than cutting but it is worth it. Just google chainsaw accidents and you will be convinced pretty quickly that they are worth it.

I always recommend a name brand full wrap chap. I like full wrap because they tend to stay in place better. There are some off brands out there that claim to meets specs but if you hold them up to a well know chap I find it hard to believe they will offer the same protection.

Remember that you do NOT want them hipster skinny jeans tight on your legs. They should stay put but you don't want them tight.

 

[rekees4300]

Time to search for some chainsaw safety gear.

OUCH! Better late than never. Chaps are kinda a pain in hot weather but have benefits. I bought a pair of Stihl chaps 5 years ago and never regretted it. In addition to saw safety they also help to protect against briars, snakes, ticks and chiggers. Also tend to keep your pants clean and sawdust outta your boots if you buy a pair that are long enough to cover the tops of your boots. I also recommend the style that wrap around your calves.

 

[ericm979]

Remember that you do NOT want them hipster skinny jeans tight on your legs. They should stay put but you don't want them tight.

Why is that? I'm not arguing, I want to know. The Stihl chaps I have now tend to roll outwards on my calves unless I snug them as tight as the straps will go (which is still not hipster jean tight on my legs, more like boot cut jean tight).

I wore chaps while running saws in the USFS and have done so all the time I've been a homeowner. I've never had a chain touch them but I still wear them. But the other day I was cutting brush in 85 degree heat and with chaps and long sleeve shirt was getting overheated. I finally took the chaps off for a few cuts and it was much cooler but I felt naked.

Are there chaps that are cooler in hot weather?

 

[plowhog]

I have Stihl brand chaps that I sometimes use. Now I think I will always use them!!!! And a forestry helmet with face shield. I have the face shield that is fine mesh-- I like it better than clear plastic since it breathes ...

 

[CobyRupert]

"Are there chaps that are cooler in hot weather?"

With chaps, I find I can wear shorts and still feel safe.
Some may say shorts and chainsaws aren't a good mix, but beats wearing pants without chaps. Though pants may help with briars, ticks, & sawdust, they provide a false sense of security.

..if you're still too hot, you can wear a**-less chaps like they do in the Gay Pride Parades. :laughing:

 

[kenr74]

"Boot cut" tight is probably a good and safe way of putting it. If they are too tight against your leg the chain can get through the chap before it binds up. Even though chaps do stop the chain very fast I have seen cuts all the way through the chap. Wearing them a little loose lets the chap pull away from your leg and gives you a little more time to get the chain stopped before it tears into you.

I used to have a good video showing the difference in effectiveness depending on how tight they were worn. You don't want them so loose that they are moving around either so you probably have them about right. That is why I like full wrap chaps. You can wear them a little loose but they stay in place.

There are some summer pants but I'm not aware of any summer chaps. I've never used a set but if they meet current specs I wouldn't have a problem trying them.

 

[Paul Thornton]

I also got "bit" on the kneecap to the bone. Now I don't touch the saw without the chaps on. Fool me once...

 

[RNeumann]

They make 3/4 and full length chaps. Amazon has the Husqvarna full length for under $100. I'm guessing you KNEEED them last week! Glad u r ok.

 

[rekees4300]

Are there chaps that are cooler in hot weather?

Yes

Summer Protective Pants - Chainsaw Protective Apparel | STIHL USA

 

[oosik]

That is going to be one bit chin' scar when it heals. I wear canvas Deluth Trading pants and have tangled with my CS once. The canvas pants balled up and stopped the CS before it could do any real damage. Only a slight scratch. Now I wear two pair of canvas pants and do all my sawing in the EARLY morning before it gets hot.

My problem was working with the CS long after I was tired and should have stopped. Arms drooped, chain caught pants and fortunately they balled the fabric and stopped the saw.

 

[greggn]

"Are there chaps that are cooler in hot weather?"

With chaps, I find I can wear shorts and still feel safe.
Some may say shorts and chainsaws aren't a good mix, but beats wearing pants without chaps. Though pants may help with briars, ticks, & sawdust, they provide a false sense of security.

..if you're still too hot, you can wear a**-less chaps like they do in the Gay Pride Parades. :laughing:

I never saw those in the Stihl or Echo catalog

 

[Silvic]

Full wrap over apron
9 ply over 6 ply

Yes hot over comfortable as I like my parts the way they are.

There is never a quick cut that is not worth the extra time it takes to gear up.
It is your life and well being.

 

[Cramby]

And if they are really oily and dirty, they wont stop a saw like a new pair. Saw a demo of a new pair vs. old used pair, old ones might as well never had em on.