handsaw pants

treebing

treebing

Been here much more than a while
Location
Detroit, Mi.
I do a lot of silky work. I have a pair of sips 5.1 and they feel like they are made of lead and also chaffe my skin. I don't need all that amount of protection but I do want some. just a little. Like sips 2.1 or 3.1 if they made it. I want to be able to move. I put a handsaw to my knee the other day. I hit a nerve causing the other side of my knee to go numb. Its weird, when I press the saw wound though, i feel the pain in the side that is numb to the touch. I have a few other scars on my leg from the silky. Looking for a good pair of handsaw resistant pants, or other light body armour. Anyone wear shinpads? was thinking about those looking at the other scars on my legs.
 
The problem with handsaws is the penetration as much as the laceration. I've found the only way to protect against handsaws is exceptional care.

Tight weave, very tight, Kevlar or other ballistic material in multiple layers can help as can leather patches. there are also polyethylene pads and guards but they get heavy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have a few other scars on my leg from the silky. Looking for a good pair of handsaw resistant pants, or other light body armour. Anyone wear shinpads? was thinking about those looking at the other scars on my legs.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is crap that I have zero patience with. The same for those that have to replace their chainsaw pants because they're cut up instead of worn out.

Control your tools! How often do you cut your climbing line? Even with protection, handsaws and chainsaws can produce life threatening injuries.

Change your work habits before they change you.

Dave
 
Guys... it's Kevin. He's no idiot.

I'm all about controlling tools but some medium weight leg and forearm armor is still a good idea. Around here a willow oak with squirrels is a dangerous place because of all the sharp little 2" stubs they make. Trees have lots of punture hazards. Then there's the poor judgment factor from being tired or rushed that results in less control.

I kinda like the idea of light shoulder/neck/back armor for jump cutting (spearing) verticals out of a top and for hanging down trees where you have to work under falling debris. I haven't been hurt that way so far but my imagination runs wild when I'm standing there trying to squeeze my whole body under my helmet. Groundies would probably appreciate that sort of protection too.

If the job paid a little better all that would go away because making the nut wouldn't require doing 12 hours of work in an 8 hour day. Seems like i either have more than I can do or nothing at all, working a decent pace almost never happens. I compromise on my judgment way more than i want to.
 
Accidents do happen. I am always aware of where my tools are while I work. Still, I do catch myself from time to time. The problem is that we feel like we can move quickly with a handsaw, since they are less of a danger than a chainsaw. This absent mindedness is what causes injuries. Know what you are doing and practice MINDFULNESS. Something that every climber should have.
I like the idea of shin guards though. I never thought of it until I worked with Kristian. It became a, "why didn't I think of that" moment. Since using them, I find my self faster and more efficient while I work. I never realized how much I sit on my shins.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What about those Arborwear tech stretch pants? The knee material seems pretty tough.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a small cut in one of mine from a handsaw. Barely touched them too.
 
Ballistic cloth or heavy Cordura might give a little protection.

For body armor look at places like Play it Again Sports. I see the lacrosse team practicing outside the door of our office. They wear body armor that seems light and easy to run with.

I agree...relying on safety gear to protect you when you don't follow good work practices is reckless. Change procedures. Thinking that I can drive wildly and fast just because I have a seatbelt and airbags will get me killed.
 
When I dress for work I begin with neoprene sleeves over both knees, then the shin guards and currently the new stretch techs. I'm not saying the sleeves have prevented internal damage to my knees but I don't hesitate to kneel down to perform a job and I know they add a little chaffe resistance. The shin guards? Steady for the last 4 years and I swear by them for preventing my shins from getting mangled in the tree and on the ground like when crossing over the tongue of a chipper.$13.tops. I have a couple pair and I trade out. In the air I can actually bear almost my full body weight on my shins and gain purchase that way when I need to. For those who compete? Have you ever wanted to get some crawl but were limited to your feet or knees? You can use the space between too bra.
I tapped my knee with a handsaw a couple times and quickly learned to take another .5 seconds to get my gear and body parts out of the entire plane of my sometimes eratic cutting path. Human like the rest though.
 
I found when I played hockey that no matter how much protective padding and plastic I had on the puck managed to find the places with the least amount of both like right between the knee cap and the shin guard. So no matter the amount you'll still get hurt unless you change your positioning.

I've learned to cut away from my body and ropes including the potential follow through path.

For what it's worth I'm finding the Gladiators really comfortable in the tree even when on my knees or shins.
 
I have a better Idea , not gonna believe this . Hold onto your Handsaw pants , I know it's killin ya .... Don't cut your self ! Keep the blood in your body . WTF , whats next , grow soft trees , 2050 they won't know the difference from a man on the moon or a person in a tree . Probally be cheaper to send a person on the moon than person in a tree . I am biting my tongue here real hard . Using correct terminology . What is next , hand snip gloves ? Whoa , timeout !
 
I suppose it does sound kind of funny. Should have been more careful. The branch was rotten and gave way with the first pull. The carry through nailed me. 8 neat little puncture wounds but a nerve in the process. It hurt really really bad and it has caused me to rethink chainsaw pants in a tree. Just wish the chainsaw pants were not soooo heavy. It is also true that i use a chainsaw in the tree from time to time but as it is I am not wearing any protection up there at all especially if it is a vigorous climb. I dont like my SIPs unless I am doing a full on removals and it is cold enough I can wear long underwear. The SIPs on bare skin chafes..

Kristian, never knew you wore shingaurds, or maybe I did subconsiously. Im going to go check it out.
 
PPE is a good thing it just needs to be compatible with the kind of work that we do. One of the problems that we have in this country is that in order to be classified a chainsaw pant, it has to be such and such a thickness.

This thickness is good when you are talking about running big saws and doing storm damage work etc. It is not a practical thickness for the climbing arborist. I am using a climbing saw or my silky 95% of the time. I make way more cuts with my handsaw than anything.


Riggs your absolutely right, I dont want to feel like an austronaut up there and thats why I was wearing my light "ninja" pants cause I wanted to move around the tree. I dont know, I think a light, climbing appropriate PPE would be very nice. Designed for protection from small chainsaws and sharp handsaws. Maybe you could get around regulations by calling it a handsaw pant.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ballistic cloth or heavy Cordura might give a little protection.

For body armor look at places like Play it Again Sports. I see the lacrosse team practicing outside the door of our office. They wear body armor that seems light and easy to run with.

I agree...relying on safety gear to protect you when you don't follow good work practices is reckless. Change procedures. Thinking that I can drive wildly and fast just because I have a seatbelt and airbags will get me killed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I heard someone say once that if we wanted people to drive more safely, we wouldn't have airbags pop out of the steering wheel. Instead, we'd have a big metal spike pop out of the steering wheel during a collision. I think we'd have fewer accidents then.
 
Hey Kevin,

These could be a good in-between pair of pants.

Pfanner Stretch-Zone. I live in them.
269825-stretch-zone-pants.jpg


Functional worktrouser with elastic back for more freedom of movement. Produced out of Satin-fabric with high part of Cotton for best breathability.

-Kevlar-KEPROTEC knee reinforcements (optional knee pads can be inserted)
-handy details
-unrestricted freedom of movement
-dust-repellent outside fabric
-high quality

Material: 65 % Baumwolle, 35 % Polyester
 

Attachments

  • 269825-stretch-zone-pants.webp
    269825-stretch-zone-pants.webp
    41.2 KB · Views: 26
HEy Kevin,

These could be a good in-between pair of pants.

Pfanner Stretch-Zone.

Functional worktrouser with elastic back for more freedom of movement. Produced out of Satin-fabric with high part of Cotton for best breathability.

-Kevlar-KEPROTEC knee reinforcements (optional knee pads can be inserted)
-handy details
-unrestricted freedom of movement
-dust-repellent outside fabric
-high quality

Material: 65 % Baumwolle, 35 % Polyester
 

Attachments

  • 269826-stretch-zone-pants.webp
    269826-stretch-zone-pants.webp
    41.2 KB · Views: 41
There's an army surplus store near my shop. I got a pair of 'tactical' pants there. Like the pants swat members wear, $40.
They took a hit to the knee from my silky when it was new. I bled but it would have worst in a regular pair of pants. I wouldn't trust the internet for these pants but if you have a uniform place or army surplus near you take a look.

Also, when I make cuts, chainsaw or handsaw I will often cut the branch not so much where it's easiest to cut but where is furthest away from touching me. Eliminating having to deal with the branch and the blade at the same time. Then get uncomfortable to take the stub, making sure I am clear of any blades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom