Was having a discussion with a co-worker about the practicality of having a leash on your saw while aloft. I used one for quite a while, but stopped a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. I find it is one less thing to get tangled and allows for more freedom of movement while cutting. I get the safety side of things, but I have never dropped a saw, and I pointed out that most guys in a bucket don't use one. Thoughts?
Chainsaw lanyard: yea or nay?
- Thread starter Boomslang
- Start date
I learned to climb with a chainsaw leash and have literally never worked without one. Yah, there has been the occasional time when it has gotten in the way, but that's rare and to me is far outweighed by the security of knowing 1) I can't drop a $500-$1,200 chainsaw, and 2) that something heavy can't fall out of control onto people or property below.
It is certainly true that bucket guys generally don't use them, but they are also working from a much more stable platform and controlled environment than a guy in a tree, more like how a person on the ground would be running a saw.
It is certainly true that bucket guys generally don't use them, but they are also working from a much more stable platform and controlled environment than a guy in a tree, more like how a person on the ground would be running a saw.
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Serf Life
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Maine Island
Switched to always using one last year and never regret it. Reasons as stated above and minimizing the chance of dropping something on the person on the ground.
I use a Buckingham breakaway bungee tether with a ring in conjunction with the Rock Exotica transporter. I keep an old auto-locking carabiner girth hitched to the ring end so that the tether stays on my saddle and I can easily attach whatever saw I’m using to it.
I used to free-ball, but dropped top handles one too many times. you don’t wanna be the jackass that breaks top-handles by dropping them... spoken from experience.
I used to free-ball, but dropped top handles one too many times. you don’t wanna be the jackass that breaks top-handles by dropping them... spoken from experience.
Reach
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Atglen, PA
I like lanyards on climbers, but no lanyards in a bucket/basket. We use the Reecoil lanyards, nice and long, but still capable of breaking away if the saw gets snagged. We have bought a couple saws over the years from being dropped out of a tree/basket.
I find the lanyard is too constricting in a basket so we don’t use them, but would if it were a bit more practical.
I find the lanyard is too constricting in a basket so we don’t use them, but would if it were a bit more practical.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
I use a lanyard when climbing or when in a lift. I find clipping the lanyard to my fall arrest harness keeps it from getting in the way as much as when clipping into the lift.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
I use the break away bungee lanyards. Weaver used to make them custom length for me in small groups then they stopped doing that. I switched to the TreeStuff version of the same and had to work out how to make it a little longer to not restrict arm reach.
Girth hitch in a chainsaw loop with steel ring for a little extra length.
Girth hitch in a chainsaw loop with steel ring for a little extra length.
Phil
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Oak Lawn, IL
I made mine a bit longer by girthing it to a locking carabiner for the saw side and adding a dog snap and screw link shackle on the harness side. The carabiner I use fits in the rear handle of larger saws so I use the same lanyard for both. My lanyard is so old now all the bungee is wore out haha.
I dropped a top handle saw once but that was because I was using those key chain carabiners as the attachment. Wouldn't you know they aren't really meant for actual work. go figure.
Saw lanyards suck, but I’ll always have one on my saw. Weavers were ok just short like @Merle Nelson said. Notch recoil is bulky but pleanty of reach , im going to try those Teufelberger ones next.
metaspencer
New member
- Location
- Urbana, IL
Another sewer! Yeah, I do the same thing ... make my slings, too. Dang those things are expensive store bought.
I am old old school and don't use a saw lanyard, never have. I have always carried my saw on my left hip but I am right handed. A saw lanyard would always be in the way in that configuration. Back in the day before I started to carry my handsaw on my right leg, the handsaw would hang on my right hip.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
Consider the one-hand stowing on your right side???
Even with my handsaw on my right leg, hanging my chainsaw on the right would continually bang against the handsaw. Since I use the handsaw more than the chainsaw I will continue as I am. I tried letting the chainsaw hang off a lanyard a few times and just don't like the way it changes my balance point. Just old and set in my ways... on some things. Colb is probably more right than he knows.
Now that you mention it, I have that problem. My Sugoi is the longest and the handle comes up above my knee. I just started packing it on my right leg this last year. It often meets my chainsaw bar and my lanyard gets wound between them. I don't like having my lanyard in either of them. It also hooks under the handsaw scabbard and catches on chain teeth. Fortunately it is an aramid cover so it does not get nicked...
When you have as big a right arm as I have, you have to...
