What do you do?

[7sleeper]

I use the dawgs when cross cutting, when noodleling I hold back! Simply because my saws are not good noodlers when in contact.

7

 

[Whitty21]

Ditch the dawgs and use a slide on my bucking saws. Keep a small set of dawgs on the felling saws but not for leverage, just a pivot point. A sharp chain is not enough on its own, the chain/depth gauge relationship needs to be correct for the type of wood being cut along with the correct cutter shape for self feeding.

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say.

You should never be forcing your saw rocking it up and down pulling on the handle, all you are doing is stressing your mounts and wearing your bar unreasonably.

So to answer the question, I ride the dogs in, but all they are doing is holding the forward momentum of the saw

 

[gary courtney]

not using dawgs would wear me out in no time with my masterminded beast!

 

[blsnelling]

If the wood has any size to it at all, I use the dawgs for their intended purpose. On smaller wood, such as limbing, I find it more work to use them.

 

[sunfish]

To dog or not to dog. That is the question...

 

[blk05crew]

I use em, that's what they are there for right. Except limbing.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I use em, that's what they are there for right. Except limbing.

The "dawgs" work on big limbs also, but I agree that on small limbs they mean little. A few cottonwood limbs are huge around here--big as some good-sized tress.

 

[wigglesworth]

Sharpen your chain .

Lmao. Bestest poast eva!!

 

[WKEND LUMBERJAK]

Pfffttt...

I back bar everything..

That must be a tall person thing.

 

[WKEND LUMBERJAK]

At this point in the poll only 13.9% know how to sharpen a chain.


Dawgs or hold back?
This poll will close on Dec 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM.

1. 
   Dawgs
   31 vote(s)
   86.1%
2. *
   Hold the saw back
   5 vote(s)
   13.9%

Change Your Vote

 

[MarcS]

Have no problem using the dogs on a saw. Once you start thinking of them as a solidly anchored pivot the argument kind've evaporates. Yes it's obvious you don't use them to force the saw through the wood....kind've like preaching to the choir on a site like this.

 

[wigglesworth]

Ditch the dawgs and use a slide on my bucking saws. Keep a small set of dawgs on the felling saws but not for leverage, just a pivot point. A sharp chain is not enough on its own, the chain/depth gauge relationship needs to be correct for the type of wood being cut along with the correct cutter shape for self feeding.

I like the term, "pivot point".

And totally agree on the chain matching the wood, but how does one setup a chain, for say 10 logs - 3 hickory, 2 ash, a maple, 2 red oaks, a walnut and a gum?

 

[Hedgerow]

I like the term, "pivot point".

And totally agree on the chain matching the wood, but how does one setup a chain, for say 10 logs - 3 hickory, 2 ash, a maple, 2 red oaks, a walnut and a gum?

Wif one of these here things.

 

[wigglesworth]

View attachment 466331

Have no problem using the dogs on a saw. Once you start thinking of them as a solidly anchored pivot the argument kind've evaporates. Yes it's obvious you don't use them to force the saw through the wood....kind've like preaching to the choir on a site like this.

Agree.

I didn't see the dull chain argument coming.

 

[wigglesworth]

View attachment 466341

Wif one of these here things.

A cardboard box?

 

[KeldomiN]

I let the dawg rides. I'm to fat and outta shape to hold it back.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Hedgerow]

A cardboard box?

And "The Force". Yes...
Lol.

 

[wigglesworth]

And "The Force". Yes...
Lol.

I need to get me some "force".

Can I get some at the co-op?

 

[pioneerguy600]

I like the term, "pivot point".

And totally agree on the chain matching the wood, but how does one setup a chain, for say 10 logs - 3 hickory, 2 ash, a maple, 2 red oaks, a walnut and a gum?

You have too many species to choose from! I either cut hardwood or softwood, frozen or not frozen.

 

[Hedgerow]

I need to get me some "force".

Can I get some at the co-op?

Yes..
It's the stuff in the yellow 5 gal pail.