That would depend on the kid. You need to see that they have the strength and hand eye coordination to use one safely. They also need to be able to listen to direction and apply it to the work at hand.
Mr. HE
Started mine at 13 with close supervision. He started using a 180 stihl. I gave him a very detailed lecture and demonstration on chainsaw safety, including showing him what a kick back looked like and what caused them. We put the low kick back safety chain on his saw, put eye and hearing protection on him and stood with him while he was using the saw. I also showed him how to maintain his saw, the same way my dad did 35 years ago and why it was important.
Lastly, I showed him the nasty scar on the inside thigh of my left leg.
Also make sure they wear proper foot wear, not tennis shoes. Now he is 15 and runs a 361, he does his own falling under my supervision and is a fantastic partner when cutting wood, we make it a man thing every time we go to the woods. We take hotdogs, summer sausage and drinks and always take a break at lunch and start a little fire and cook out lunch, staying out all day.
I've got another son who will be 13 next week and the little 180 will see use again, can't wait to pass it on.
My son is 13 and has been sawing rounds with a Sachs Dolmar 143 with a 36" bar since he was 11.
It's got to be sometime after the thumb sucking stops... Can't have any one handed chainsawin'.
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