Kickback Demonstration by Chainsaw Instructor Joe Glenn

The instructor demonstrates a chainsaw kickback by directing it horizontally away from himself. Note that he uses only the tip of the saw, but that the saw kicks hard enough to set the brake. These little kickbacks can't be held by a big man; a kickback involving more of the corner of the bar will throw you over, hurt you, or kill you.

• Category

  Howto & Style

[mmz77]

Should a home-owner chainsaw user invest in chaps?

[DavidN23Skidoo]

Absolutely! Buy a good hat with ear and face protection, chaps or overalls, leather gloves, and heavy leather boots. Wash the chaps when they get oily, and replace your hat every three or four years.

[Ross D]

Im glad ive just watched this and read some of the comments, i have a few tree's i'd like to bring down, i would rather do it myself to save money but watching this video has made me reconsider : /

[DavidN23Skidoo]

Using a chainsaw is not terribly dangerous if you have a little training, and it is very satisfying to drop a tree right where you want it. Look around for classes near you and sign up. You will be glad you did.

[DavidN23Skidoo]

Kickbacks are mostly preventable, but some are going to happen even if you are careful, so keep your face out of the line of fire. Always let go of the throttle before pulling out of a cut you are making with the top if the bar. Many have stuck a saw in their forehead when pulling out of a pinch on the top of the bar. Limbing and cutting firewood out of treetops offer multiple unseen kickback hazards, so you have to pay attention to your cutting every second.

[ernstfuld]

Necronomicon ex Mortis, The Book of the Dead. Bound in human flesh and inked in blood, this ancient Sumerian text contained bizarre burial rites, funerary incantations and demon resurrection passages.

[boner2008]

If they're poking at tree stumps with chainsaws like the guy in this video, then so do I. Their existance would be nothing but a shit stain on the gene pool.

[TheAdamie]

I hope your children get sliced up for doing something a little bit wrong.

[TheAdamie]

If you can't find the 'reply' button don't bother replying at all! "he won't see it".

[grubbytron]

Just get safety glasses and steel toe boots. You'll really need steel toes when it's time to split the wood.

[timtak1]

How would a hockey helmet be? Plus classes under the guard.

[timtak1]

Thanks. I am glad I read this far down.

This confirms my belief that I should only use my chainsaw on trees and natural wood which has far less chance to contain nails etc.

But I guess that the same push-back to kick-back could occur with a chain pinch. I know to avoid the tip. Chain pinch is what scares me most. Fortunately I am only pruning.

[timtak1]

I had never heard of them before. I want one. I am not sure if I can fit one too my saw. Googling for "anti-kickback tip" I found "Anatomy of a chain saw" which mentions some other safety devices.

[sidgar1]

That kickback would come straight for your head if held upright instead of sideways for demonstration. NEVER use the tip for cutting!