Cut by saw that was not running.

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Back in the early 80s I was cutting firewood and I had just finished cutting up a hickory tree, that was downhill from my truck. My XL-12 was off and I was wearing White Mule gloves. As I was going up hill to put my saw near my truck, I got my big feet tangled in some small vines and fell forward. Instead of dropping the saw, I held onto it and when it hit the ground my hand came of the handle and hit the chain. The chain when between my ring and middle fingers. It cut through the glove and cut a deep 3/4 inch gash between the fingers. I could look inside the palm of my hand.

The doctor couldn't put and stitches in it because it was gapped open. He cleaned it up and taped my fingers together.

Every since that day, if I even think I am about the fall I throw the saw away from me, weather its running or not. I have done this many times and I haven't hurt a saw yet. I don't care if it did, I can buy another saw, but not a hand or face.

Thanks for reading.

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You mean like this?


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I have seen guys carry there saw on there shoulder while holding the tip of the bar and the chain a couple of inches from there neck. They are just one slip away from serious trouble.


You mean like this? I've seen guys carry their saw this way quite a bit. I haven't seen anybody get seriously hurt.

PB131858.jpg
 
I am 60 now and I plan on getting much older. I have been cutting firewood for myself, family members and my hunting club since 1976 with only one cut. So I don't take chances, because luck doesn't last forever........But I'm still riding a Harley and I have the scars to prove it. This contradiction should really get something started.
 
I am 60 now and I plan on getting much older. I have been cutting firewood for myself, family members and my hunting club since 1976 with only one cut. So I don't take chances, because luck doesn't last forever........But I'm still riding a Harley and I have the scars to prove it. This contradiction should really get something started.


Nope, no contradiction there. You're comfortable riding your Harley at 60 and I'm comfortable carrying a saw on my shoulder at 67. :laugh:

And, for what it's worth, if I'm walking really rough ground or anything steep I'll usually unload the saw and carry it in my hand. We have to pack our saws a long way sometimes and they just ride nice up there on the shoulder.
 
I hope both of us are able to continue cutting into our 70's. One reason I'm still cutting is my 92 year old neighbor. His motto is "If you don't use it you lose it". I came home last week and he was splitting firewood with a sledge hammer and wedges.

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You mean like this? I've seen guys carry their saw this way quite a bit. I haven't seen anybody get seriously hurt.

PB131858.jpg


That's why I have a piece of fire hose to slip over the bar for when my 460 is wearing either the 24" or 30" bar. Burliest and cheapest sheath you can get.

I've gacked a finger or two on a sharp chain in a moment of carelessness.

Always wear gloves when sharpening!
 
Old fire hose is great stuff, we used to use it to cover our pole saw blades. Protects the blade and user. Been nicked many times by none moving sharp stuff. New several climbers that had nasty scars from a pole saw, scalp, neck and shoulder. Had the saw hanging above them and it got bumped off it's twig, Joe.
 
I have seen guys carry there saw on there shoulder while holding the tip of the bar and the chain a couple of inches from there neck. They are just one slip away from serious trouble.
That looks cool...like on TV... but, that's way too close to the juglar artery far safety's sake!!
 
I used to get myself while sharpening saws before I learned you don't need a bunch of force to file a stupid chain... ah, 17. Too stupid to be careful but quick healing enough to not care.

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Yes and no, for balance blade behind and easier to get through stuff, but most people falling forward will extend their arms to break fall, if you don't toss that saw where do you think the blade is?
 
I had a near miss earlier this year. Was carrying a 660 with a 36" bar, fresh full chisel square found chain and as i walked twisted my ankle and spun, dragging the bar across my chainsaw pants. Had a wad of about $2,000 in hundreds in the pocket, folded in half with a rubber band on them. Chain went right through the outer fabric, tore a good chunk out of the cash, and lifted some of the matting of the chaps. Saw wasn't running.

Bank exchanged the damaged money without question. Made me really think about how dangerous a non running saw is. I've had stitches on my right index finger from sharpening, always wear welder a gloves now. You get used to it.

Shaun
 
I had a near miss earlier this year. Was carrying a 660 with a 36" bar, fresh full chisel square found chain and as i walked twisted my ankle and spun, dragging the bar across my chainsaw pants. Had a wad of about $2,000 in hundreds in the pocket, folded in half with a rubber band on them. Chain went right through the outer fabric, tore a good chunk out of the cash, and lifted some of the matting of the chaps. Saw wasn't running.

Bank exchanged the damaged money without question. Made me really think about how dangerous a non running saw is. I've had stitches on my right index finger from sharpening, always wear welder a gloves now. You get used to it.

Shaun
I've been cutting firewood for 37 years and had never had any chaps. I bought a pair of Husky's 2 weeks ago. The very first time I worn them I cut a 1 1/2 inch hole across the thigh. It made me stop and think.
 
I tripped and fell on a chainless bar this past summer. The wire edge on the bar peeled two slabs of skin off the underside of my wrist. It took a few stitches to get everything closed.
 
I tripped and fell on a chainless bar this past summer. The wire edge on the bar peeled two slabs of skin off the underside of my wrist. It took a few stitches to get everything closed.
Sorry to hear about your injury. I'm glad it wasn't any worse. Sometimes you can get bit when you least expect it.
 
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