Time for Chainsaw Chaps

[scodemike]

I think I figured out the right choice and it is not the one with a zipper. The zipper may tend to hold the chap leg such that instead of binding up in the saw, it is going to cut through to the leg.

 

[TomSeller]

I have the apron style but like the idea of the wrap around.

 

[CalG]

Just a heads up. IF anyone thinks that a pair of chaps will "protect" them from injury in the case of a high speed saw blade coming down on a leg, that is JUST NOT THE CASE.

I wear chaps when I saw. Especially when bucking in the yard, because I tend to cross the saw in front of me between cuts. But my only expectation is that the chaps will limit the severity of the injury in the case of any inadvertent contact with an slowing blade not under power.

I've, cut pants, scratched the flesh on my thigh, as well as cut shoe leather.

My chaps have scarfs and nicks as well. But I do not expect them to "prevent" injury under any conditions. I just hope for the best and use precautions.

Heck, A running saw will go through a steel core climbing line so fast as to not allow any reaction from the climber wielding the saw. Chaps are even less robust. Nothing is better than keeping your wits about you!

 

[sidecarist]

Question, now that I'm almost healed re; chaps. I am looking at the Forester wrap around style chap, but they have 3 styles. One has the straps on the back, another wraps around and they use Velcro and the last one has a zipper and velcro over that.

I kind of like the zipper with the velcro overlay. What are your thought's? Forester Chain saw Chaps - Apron, Wrap Around, Zip Chaps - Chainsaw Pants

I have the forester apron wrap velcro chaps and like them. The velcro is easier than a zipper and less likely to get fouled up. I had a chance to actually try both and the full velcro chaps were faster to put on. I figured that anything I could do to make it easier on me would reduce the excuses to not wear them...

Glad you're healing up!

 

[cat fever]

OK-OK,

I am guilty of cutting firewood for decades with only earplugs, boots/gloves and safety glasses. After reading this thread I am going to get me some chaps for cutting the wood. Heat will not be a problem since I cut at 9000 plus foot level in the fall. Sometimes there is snow here and there.

 

[Citydude]

I usually wear a shirt and jeans with the boots, gloves and glasses. Were only at 5000 feet. Sorry couldn't help myself....

 

[cat fever]

I usually wear a shirt and jeans with the boots, gloves and glasses. Were only at 5000 feet. Sorry couldn't help myself....

After typing and reading what I wrote; I just knew somebody was going to come back like you did.:laughing:

 

[JRobyn]

I am a big fan of the Labonvilles. They wrap around, but only from the calf down, so they are a bit cooler to wear. All of their "fasteners" are plastic snap-buckles with an adjustable nylon strap. Easy on, easy off. Just a waist buckle, 2 ankle buckles and 1 back-of-thigh buckle for each leg. Easy on is IMPORTANT to encourage one to USE them for even quick jobs.

I keep meaning to look at the labels on mine to confirm they are Labonvilles. I got them from Baileys, but I think I only paid maybe $70 for them. Guess they were on sale or have just increased in price? Mine are like these -

 

[dougtrr2]

I won't speak to specific brand of chaps but the best thing I bought was a set of suspenders for my chaps. I just started wearing them a few years ago and it is a training thing to get in the habit of putting them on EVERY time I break out the saws. I have had a few close calls, but nothing serious but I finally woke up and got the chaps.


Doug in SW IA

 

[scodemike]

So I placed my order this morning for the Forester Chaps Wrap around velcro, Suspender's and gloves. I didn't go for the helmet/muffs since I already have safety glasses and a pair of muffs. All my tree work is with downed trees from storms.

Looking forward to having these and maybe have a little more safety than currently.

 

[sdef]

Yikes!! How'd that happen?

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

These are what I use. The competition model. Example: Amazon.com : Labonville X-Treme Competition Chainsaw Safety Chaps - X-Large : Chain Saw Accessories : Patio, Lawn & Garden

They have saved a thigh twice- both times at the end of a long, hot day when I was tired and not paying enough attention. I will not use a chain saw for any reason without having chaps on.

 

[ericm979]

Seperate helmet and ear muff style hearing protectors don't work well together in my experience. The vast majority of my work on my property has been in brush where I don't need a helmet but lately I've been doing some work in the forest where a helmet's a good idea. I tried using the hearing protectors with the 'bail' between the two ear muffs behind my head but when my head sweats the muffs slip around. Ear plugs don't provide enough hearing protection.

I got a Husqvarna helmet with ear muffs last week and man is it nice. So much more comfortable, and very quiet with the muffs down.
I also got a set of the Forester apron style chaps because they have a pocket for tools. They're thinner than the 20 year old Stihl ones I've been using, and a little cooler in the heat.

 

[drizler]

A fella I know used to work for Forrest Service back in 70s before moving on to a gov job that actually paid. He said every fire season they got the same class for the rookies to see. Team leader would take anold pair that were being Junked and lay them on a log. Then he'd hit them with a saw and it would sail right through like a knife through butter. Then there was the comment about what to expect if you got sloppy or stupid as those only work on glancing blows. He said it got the point across rather well what they will and won't do.

 

[FredH]

Not saying I am Good or Lucky , but have never worn chaps while running a saw . Not even way back in the '70's in high school forestry class . don't think We even had them in Class ??
Only time I have ever nicked any clothing or cut myself was when one of My boots came untied without knowing it and I was walking back to my truck carrying my out of gas saw . Tripped on the shoe string and left knee just impacted on top of the bar enough to put a 1" cut in my jeans and a 1" scratch on My knee .
Again Not a Pro and don't feel I have been Lucky either , Just have Super Respect not only for a chainsaw but anything with moving parts that could perform unauthorized alterations to My body .
Have I injured Myself stupidly , Oh Hech Yes . Grab a piece of old side walk once and shoved a 4" piece of wire under my glove into my right palm all the way up to my thumb joint . Just have worked around moving machinery all my life and have repect for what it can do . If I worked as a Pro in the woods , Likely would wear chaps as well as hearing protectors .

In all likelyhood , if I ran my saw more than I currently do , ( which is maybe 4 or 5 minutes a month ) , I would likely invest into chaps . At my age and current situation here at my place , I have no need . But if things were different , were I was as many of You are , that although not cutting wood as a Pro , but need to stockpile every year , then they would be a Very worthy investment .

I think My hearing is toast anyway , Well at least according to My wife . Doctor said though that tests are good for My age , that maybe I am only suffering from a Disease called Selective Hearing :laughing:

Fred H.

 

[jajiu]

That's nice FredH, I too have used a chain saw for about 30 years not even using hearing protection. A few years back my hearing was getting bad and the Dr. told me to be sure to use hearing protection to save what I have left. Recently while cleaning up brush and taking firewood out of the area behind my barn, I felt a tug on my jeans and looked down and the saw had caught them just about mid thigh. I put the saw down and looked over my leg and luckily found no cut, not even a scratch. I am just a homeowner user like you, and yes, it was LUCK, not expertise that I was able to go so long without injury. Don't fool yourself, it is luck. I immediately ordered a pair of chaps and now use them when the chain saw is running.

 

[Garandman]

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.

Motorcyclists say "ATGATT."

"All The Gear, All The Time." A related expression is, "Dress for the slide, not the ride."

If you just have a few cuts to make, there's always that little voice suggesting the extra 30 seconds it takes to put on the gear isn't worth the effort.

 

[drizler]

In all likelyhood , if I ran my saw more than I currently do , ( which is maybe 4 or 5 minutes a month ) , I would likely invest into chaps . At my age and current situation here at my place , I have no need . But if things were different , were I was as many of You are , that although not cutting wood as a Pro , but need to stockpile every year , then they would be a Very worthy investment .

I think My hearing is toast anyway , Well at least according to My wife . Doctor said though that tests are good for My age , that maybe I am only suffering from a Disease called Selective Hearing :laughing:

Fred H.

I'd watch that hearing though. You can mitigate all the rest of it but noise damage goes on all the while you're around the source. It comes from all sides too. That's one reason I like my husky forester helmet so much. Everything folds separately out of the way when unneeded.
That selective hearing. That's directly caused by menopause and it makes you do funny things like go fishing when you really don't want to, stay out later than you want to and hide in the garage seemingly forever. The only cure for that issue is time. Oh and ya can't wear the husky helmet in the house because it blocks out the voic on the tv:ashamed:

 

[FredH]

I'd watch that hearing though. You can mitigate all the rest of it but noise damage goes on all the while you're around the source. It comes from all sides too. That's one reason I like my husky forester helmet so much. Everything folds separately out of the way when unneeded.
That selective hearing. That's directly caused by menopause and it makes you do funny things like go fishing when you really don't want to, stay out later than you want to and hide in the garage seemingly forever. The only cure for that issue is time. Oh and ya can't wear the husky helmet in the house because it blocks out the voic on the tv:ashamed:

Yep , the hearing is something many take for granted . For years My dad would drive his semi with the window down , even when he had A.C. . Later in life , He had a difficult time at first having conversations on the phone , then later in face to face conversations . After numerous visits to Doctors , They performed a frequency test , ( now that is a standard test ) . The frequency that is transmitted through phones for voice and many direct voice freguencies was the same frequency that my Dad would hear from the air going by them big trucker mirrors for years and years . Now , I am 8 years older than when my Dad first started wearing hearing aids and My hearing is still pretty good . I never drive with my window down in my semi or any rig I drive . I may crack it a inch or 2 for air , but never more than that .

If I get another log load of hardwood for firewood , I'll will likely pickup a pair of chaps , thus My real interest in this thread . Since I have never owned a pair , I wanted real world experience reviews from those that have , Thus My love of this board . Reading others experiences and thoughts or suggestions is in short , AWESOME . :thumbsup: :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Fred H.

 

[TomSeller]

Yep , the hearing is something many take for granted . For years My dad would drive his semi with the window down , even when he had A.C. . Later in life , He had a difficult time at first having conversations on the phone , then later in face to face conversations . After numerous visits to Doctors , They performed a frequency test , ( now that is a standard test ) . The frequency that is transmitted through phones for voice and many direct voice freguencies was the same frequency that my Dad would hear from the air going by them big trucker mirrors for years and years . Now , I am 8 years older than when my Dad first started wearing hearing aids and My hearing is still pretty good . I never drive with my window down in my semi or any rig I drive . I may crack it a inch or 2 for air , but never more than that .

Very true. Back in the day I had a sales job covering 4 states while driving my Mercedes 240D diesel. The AC was broken down so I drove with the windows open for years. My ears would ring and I finally went to the Dr. who asked me if I was around loud sounds and I told him yes but I always use hearing protection (I do). He then asked me if I was around moderate sounds for long periods of time. Bingo. I stopped driving that car and got one with AC. The ears stopped ringing but I do know that my hearing is not what it used to be. Still okay but now if someone whispers in my ear at a meeting, danged if I can hear it at all.

 

[JRobyn]

Even if the AC would have worked, you'd have had to turn it off to go up any hills.

I drove a '78 240D over the part of its lifespan from about 120,000 to about 350,000.