No kidding, I slipped a couple times recently but was saved by heavy duty leather gloves.I carry a Silky BigBoy. Impressive tool, just keep your fingers out of the way.
Only if you're married.Is manualling a chainsaw harder than doing it on a bike?
Yes and yes. I have this one. It does work okay but is best with 2 people. Doing it yourself is difficult as you have to keep the handles spread apart to avoid pinching the chain. But with 2 people it is fast and easy for medium size stuff. Less than 4" diameter you are better off with a folding saw, greater than 12" break out a powered chainsaw.Anyone used one? Do they work? They look like a nice option for an easily carried saw for clearing smaller downage while riding, at least if they don't suck.
Exactly. Chainsaws are awesome if you're building a new trail or there's a huge section of blowdown, but there are a ton of cases where one tree goes down across an existing trail, where it'll take hours to walk out there with one. I'm looking for something small and light that I can carry on the bike with me to deal with that kind of stuff. Right tool for the job and all that.A 6" dia. 25' long maple fell across the trail. I proceeded it and was back on the bike in 26 minutes.
How long does it take to haul a chainsaw, gas, and safety gear to the location ? Probably a lot longer than 26 minutes.
I can be done before you get there. Carry lite tools and work fast. It's a gnome thing.
Then a Silky straight blade, folding saw is what you're after. They make plenty of sizes to choose from. It's what I use to maintain two trail systems.Exactly. Chainsaws are awesome if you're building a new trail or there's a huge section of blowdown, but there are a ton of cases where one tree goes down across an existing trail, where it'll take hours to walk out there with one. I'm looking for something small and light that I can carry on the bike with me to deal with that kind of stuff. Right tool for the job and all that.
Yup.large tooth, i assume?
FTFYI want one,but i need to ride with @jstuhlman in wilsons more.
True that.FTFY
I agree and I qualified my chainsaw use with "greater than 12" diameter". For 6" stuff I would also use a folding saw, unless I am already out hiking with the chainsaw. But the park I maintain is urban and not that large so any fallen tree is usually accessible with a 15 minute hike max. Also bringing gas, what is this the stone age? That sucker is electric.A 6" dia. 25' long maple fell across the trail. I proceeded it and was back on the bike in 26 minutes.
How long does it take to haul a chainsaw, gas, and safety gear to the location ? Probably a lot longer than 26 minutes.
I can be done before you get there. Carry lite tools and work fast. It's a gnome thing.
If it's just you, then I second the larger folding saw recommendation. The manual chainsaw is not very efficient and can be frustrating to use by yourself.I'm looking for something small and light that I can carry on the bike with me to deal with that kind of stuff. Right tool for the job and all that.
I use this guy below for 80% of clearing projects, followed by a folding saw and then the hand chain saw. But I carry the hand chain saw with me more often because of how small and light it is.
I'm going to buck the silky trend, spring on the east coast I was generally carrying one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bahco-LapLander-Folding-Saw-Made-in-Sweden-Part-396-LAP-/310846336263?hash=item485fe2ad07:g:KaEAAOxytdlRAt~Q
The Bahco is small, just tucked into an outside pocket on my very small camelback or would easily fit inside a bigger pack - no exposed teeth on it.How are you guys attaching the Silkys or Bahcos to your packs?
Silky makes both straight and curved folding saws. I went with straight because of exposed teeth on the curved ones. Also straight blades are better for cutting logs close to the ground.How are you guys attaching the Silkys or Bahcos to your packs?
It also looks like the teeth on the Silky are still exposed in the folded position. I guess I could make a quick fabric sheath for it, which could have some loops to strap to my hydration pack. I'm guessing the 14" one would not fit inside.
So when yours is folded, the teeth aren't exposed?Silky makes both straight and curved folding saws. I went with straight because of exposed teeth on the curved ones. Also straight blades are better for cutting logs close to the ground.
A Tomson seat post bag fits the Bigboy nicely. It just drops nicely into my Pisgah pack and barely in the everyday pack.
I used an 8" SOG prior to getting the Silky. There is absolutely no comparison between a pull cut saw and a forward cut in terms of efficiency and speed.I'm going to buck the silky trend, spring on the east coast I was generally carrying one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bahco-LapLander-Folding-Saw-Made-in-Sweden-Part-396-LAP-/310846336263?hash=item485fe2ad07:g:KaEAAOxytdlRAt~Q
Yup! Sq-earl & I have carried and used them for a while. Work well...better if being used by 2.Anyone used one? Do they work? They look like a nice option for an easily carried saw for clearing smaller downage while riding, at least if they don't suck.
Like so: