Chainsaw Vs. Handsaw?

I don't have much to add except to tie two current threads together. No chainsaw, no chainsaw pants (chaps). Possibly a winning combination for some! For the most part I only use a hand saw for pruning. A take down for me usually only involves three cuts (two in the front and one in the back).

Cary
 
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Strange... I just checked and it works from the treevolution site. Try this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_htm/2001/crr01402.htm

...just checked, that works now. Sorry.

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Ah, there's a subtle difference between your first and second iterations of the link. The site software here snagged your trailing period the first time around, making it part of the link. And I'm using a small-enough font in the browser that I didn't see the little bugger.

[I can't say I never take the short route, but I do try (and recommend to) "preview" posts with links to check them all one quick time before submitting the post.]
 
I am impressed with the extensive reactions.
I also wonder if insurance companies would be willing to lower premiums if pruning is done by hand saws........
That on the premise if using handsaws is perceived safer and that one would have a formula to separate out the use of chainsaws within the overall company operations.
 
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o.k, the chainsaw may be quicker on the cut itself, but do you think it would be quicker on the total time of the job or tree you're pruning?? I mean starting the chainsaw, putting on/in your ear protection, having the extra weight of chainsaw protection and of coarse lugging the chainsaw?

I think these things add up enough to make it equlivant.
jelte

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I would have agreed with you awhile back, and I'm still inclined to say it's possible. But in all honesty I think the chainsaw is faster in a lot of cases. I'm more likely to drag it out and start it (I keep my plugs in most of the time anyway) if I can reach several cuts while it's running than if it's cut one and move to a new spot. Overall speed would probably be highest with a mix of saws, but I still keep the chainsaw off most of the time because it's not as tiring that way and I like the quiet (and clean air).

k
 
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MB,

Are you speaking of handsaw vs. chainsaw for pruning or removals?

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I havn't done any timed sessions but I have a sense that for pruning a handsaw is quicker. When you factor in clipping and unclipping a lanyard and putting in hearing protection there is time saved. Also, one-handed handsaw use isn't a factor yet.

There are still plenty of people who've gotten cut using handsaws so the safety issue is equal. Same with polesaws. I've got a cracked collar bone from a pole saw bopping me 25 years ago.

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I always carry a hand saw on removals, but don't use it much. When pruning, the accuracy makes it much more attractive to handsaw along with the other points we've already made. And, yes, it can be faster if you are making lots of isolated cuts, but if you can reach 6 branches from one spot, the chainsaw is probably faster (depending on how big they are and what you have to do to drop the branch safely).

I admit you can get hurt by hand tools (as you know, my worst cut was from a falling pole) but I still think the risk is higher with a chainsaw. You don't have to hit a rope hard to cut it with a chain (yes, I know hand saws can cut rope too, but I've never seen one cut all the way through this way). Not counting the big one, all my hand saw cuts have been minor nicks and scratches. The time a slowing chain caught my shin, it went through jeans, socks and skin in no time, and though it wasn't deep it was wide and messy. You might be just as likely to get injured with hand tools, but I think the potential for damage is much higher with a chain.

k
 
This is an interesting topic Frank. When I started climbing I wasn't allowed to use a chainsaw for 1 year. Talk about building character! Anyway, when they said "go", I started using it for everything. There were trees that I remember pruning where I never shut the saw off until the final cut.

Now it's different. I would estimate it to be about 70% handsaw and then 30% (usually lower in the tree) chainsaw. For removals it's more like 99% chainsaw for me.

One thing that I have found, and this maybe unique to me, is that I've seen more serious cuts made by a handsaw than a chainsaw. I feel as though many have a high enough respect to what could happen with a chainsaw, but do not fear the results of an over done handsaw finish that could contact the flesh. These new saws can be extrememly dangerous if you ask me. More stress should be placed on handsaw safety!
 
At one training class in MN Gary Albig asked the group how many had been cut using a chainsaw. About 40% raised their hands. The chatter got going too, we all know the stories. Then, in true Albig fashion, he laid the zinger in. How many had gotten cut with a handsaw, more than scratches. About 75% raised their hands and there wasn't a lot of chatter as everyone considered the point that Gary was making.

It's pretty normal in a way to be more casual with a non-power tool. As we all know though, handsaws can be wicked dangerous. They should come with a label that one of my climbers suggested, "Keep away from flesh!"
 
let's just remeber that if you cut yourself with a hand saw that its as Monty Python says "it's just a minor flesh wound!"

do that with a chainsaw and it's off!

i do agree that there should be more eductaion on safe handsaw use..... you must respect it just as much, if not more, then the chainsaw. Also i think you need to sharpen your communication skills then using the handsaw. As the handsaw is silent you don't always (as a groundie) have the warning of the sound of the saw starting up.
A few weeks ago i had a college come under my tree (big chestnut with a dense crow) when i was pruning with the handsaw, he did'nt warn me he was under the tree( he had left the job site and came back, there was no groundie...he was in the tree with me) and i did'nt warn there was a piece coming down.... it was a close call... all ended well.

Jelte
 

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chainsaw cuts? "She bites!", as they say.

Not playing down the damage you can do to yourself with a handsaw, but like Jelte says, it's a totally different degree of damage you can achieve.

Mind you, if you really put your mind to it you could probably hurt yourself pretty badly with a butterknife. Don't blame the tool,...
 

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I agree with both of you that chainsaw cuts are usually more severe. I am just saying that I've seen and heard of more people needing a few stitches from handsaw cuts than people needing some from chainsaws. It seems to me that many injuries have come from the follow through of a handsaw cut. That's all.
 
I hear you there, Mark. It'd be wrong to try to demonise the one or the other, it's all down to appropriate use.

And about risk perception. Probably chippers come tops in this department, or a long way up anyway: Unqualified personel operating them, pressure to get the job done... Melissan Levangie was telling me in Nash, that on average one person per day is dragged through a chipper worldwide. That's horrific. /forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
More people needing stitches via handsaw cuts vs.
people needing more stitches via chainsaw cut.

Kind of makes a bank teller's question come to mind: "Would you like that in (a few) large bills or (many) small?". Or one I've never heard asked: "Would you like that lottery pay-out in a lump sum or spread out over 20 years?". :)

I just about scared myself to death earlier this summer. I was helping a friend clear the path for canoeing on a small stream. We'd already covered several miles when we came upon an elm about 6" in diameter laying across the stream. I had both hands on my saw, one surrounding the other, cutting upward. On one push stroke the blade suddenly stopped, as well my (inner) left hand, but my right hand slipped off my left and I raked my thumb across a few teeth before I could reign it in. Probably needed a couple of stitches right between the two knuckles... Don't use a saw in that manner when tired and with wet hands!

Glen
 
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Melissan Levangie was telling me in Nash, that on average one person per day is dragged through a chipper worldwide. That's horrific.


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/forum/images/graemlins/flag_bs.gif
 
I heard the same story. Without some credentials I'm keeping it as a rumor/urban myth. Even John Ball was doubtful about the statistic.

There is a possibility that the stat might actually be deaths and dismemberments combined.
 
...hmmm, OK, Nathan and Tom, point taken.

Maybe one shouldn't go shooting ones mouth off without the facts to back it up with. /forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I suppose it's one of the temptations with statistics. Thousands of politicians do it on a daily basis.
 
Like so many others here, I used a chainsaw more than a handsaw till these new tri-cut saws came onto the market and then started going the other direction more hand saw work than chainsaw use, especially for pruning.

After a few good cuts on my left hand and forearm, a good climbing rope and a few good pair of jeans, it was time to rethink the use of these hand saws before I really injured myself. I basically started using a handsaw with the same precautions I would with a chainsaw in a tree, off set type cuts to snap small limbs off, no cross arm type cutting, plan ahead after the cut is completed and know which direction that blade is going and stay out of the way. The most important one is just to slow way down just before completing a cut, it was always that last pull stroke with to much force that would get me in trouble with a handsaw.

I have even kept both hands on a handsaw when cutting bigger material if I had any doubts about where or how the final pull stroke might end up. Keeping both hands on a handsaw is not as critical as with a chainsaw,but those handsaw cuts can really be nasty, take forever to heal up. I have a lot of respect for our modern day handsaws, more so than I do for a chainsaw.

Larry
 
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