My kids bought me a pair of stihl chaps & helmet about ten years ago. Don't wear them all the time, with smaller saws. (MY BAD)!!! Thinking about a pair of safety gloves after getting eight stitches in the top of my middle finger. Clearing some brush with a ms200 saw. Saw graded top of canvas backed glove super fast. Cut finger down and exposed tendon, got real lucky on that one.

I don't run a saw professionally... Not sure I put 40 hours a year on my machine.

Mike

You are very fortunate. I hope that many others benefit from your interest in working more safely.

Nobody is skilled enough to not have an accident. Accidents happen as a result of engaging in an activity.

There is a difference in the quality and chain stopping ability of different brands of chaps. Also, chaps do not effectively stop an electric chainsaw. I don’t know about battery powered saws.

Stihl chaps / pants whichever are most comfortable.
Stihl hardhat with earmuffs and face shield.
Wire mesh goggles and earmuffs when not using the Stihl hardhat.
Bose Bluetooth earbuds connected to an iPod. (Makes the work go easier.)
Safety vest. If you want someone to find you to help you.

When using a chainsaw, earmuffs are better than earplugs. Earmuffs may partially protect your bone conduction hearing in addition to your standard ear canal hearing.

Keep your phone in your pocket.

Another important safety device is a Garmin InReach plus. Many places where I work that are not wilderness have no cellular signal. In some areas if a short distance from an interstate highway there is no signal. It is attached to a belt loop with a tether. It allows me to communicate via satellite to and from standard email and text. More importantly others can communicate with me. Plus it has the big SOS button that I hope not to need. It is expensive plus requires a monthly contract. It is worth it to me.

I recently watched an Amish logging crew. Skidder operator and multiple sawyers and a couple laborers to assist the skidder. No safety gear of any sort. All were wearing the standard blue clothing. How can a skidder operator keep track of the people on the ground? Of course the sawyers did not wear ear plugs. What? Huh? Those guys are all living on borrowed time.

A few safety tips: Do not use a chainsaw when you are tired or distracted. It is important to be able to think and react. I usually do chainsaw work early in the day. When I am tired, I am clumsy. Stumbling and falling on a saw is bad. Engage the chainbrake when walking or repositioning yourself.

I'm an arborist - the Labonville chaps are the best on the market followed by the Stihls!

Buddy just sliced his knee on a stump cut "Kickback" put him out for a couple of months in fact he has a benefit coming up on the 20th so the chaps are a good investment.

True story. I was recently cutting firewood on my land with a buddy. He said how long? I responded with 16-18”. Very early I noticed he was cutting some pieces 6” and some at least 24”. I asked what’s up?
“I must be daydreaming “
I sent him home!

I've only had one close call so far, barely caught my jeans.





I know a few guys that have jeans like this. I've always worn ear and eye protection and a few years ago started wearing the Stihl hardhat with the ear protection and screen attached.



No chaps yet but I'm going to check out some of the advice and links provided on this thread.

son in law works for a tree trimming company. trim limbs out of power lines. they are required to wear chaps. long story short he grabbed a saw for a quick cut and didn't put his chaps on. he came real close to being fired. got sewed up and is fine now but he missed some work and was under the microsope when he went back for awhile. I don't know what brand they use but it will bind up and stop the chain.

My Husky chaps have a spot in them from my Stihl, barely grazed them, but glad they were there. Twice I've cut jeans/pants without drawing blood, always a good reminder.

We’re all adults and fully capable of making and living by our own choices. This is what works for me.

10 layer Labonville in winter. Seems like longer days, traction problems, wet brush, heavier clothes, more fatigue causing less attention to technique and other things. More risk, more protection.

6 layer Stihl in summer. Less of the above, cooler in the heat. Less risk, less protection, but still protected.

I go through about 3 saws every 2 years, modified stihl 460’s. An accident of my own and seeing plenty of others, I personally never use a saw without’em. It’s fast and you can’t stop it. Unless you have a lot of things all going for you, chaps will always be the cheapest option and definitely the easiest.



Owl

Nice site....Ive had 2 close ones spread out over years...hopefully ill get a pair this summer.

X2. ^^ Do your legs a favor and get a pair!!

I have a four inch scar across my kneecap due to not having chaps, I learned my lesson very well that day.

Once you have your chaps......there should be some chain saw boots on the bottom end.

cant have enough safety when it comes to chainsaws,crazy things happen even to the most experienced.chaps or pants with protection in them will save a saw operator from injury and a hard hat with shield or safty glasses and ear plugs. if you haven't already learn good saw operating practices and keep your fingers and thumb wraped on the saw handle. stay safe and happy new year.

After decades of cutting firewood and logging.......what GREENCOUNTYPETE said.
All of the suggestions here will save injury at some point in time.
Plus, if you are cutting trees off low to the ground, a LONG pair of chaps past the top of your boots is a good idea. I used to kneel down and cut, gave me more control with a big saw.

I was logging in northeast Washington (near Wauconda). The owner of the logging company asked if anyone wanted overtime. I and another guy ( not my regular crew) were sent to clear up a deck at 3 a.m. . Needless to say it was the late 80's and I thought I was superman...bulletproof and all. We were cleaning up some huge firs and I was standing on them and trimming. A lot of reaching down and what not. The guy who was running the loader was still drunk from the night before (found out later that morning). The only time I could cut is when the lights (loader) crossed my path. I was pushing it and two times in five minutes I had kickbacks that cut my chaps (Stihl) on my left thigh. First one I thought ok be more careful. Second time I threw the saw and quit for the day and
I had it out with the guy running the loader. I had asked him to give me more light and time. When we "exchanged words" found out he was still drunk. It hit me (the second cut on my chaps) that if I wouldn't have had chaps I would have died. I believe with how damaged my chaps were...that either cut would have been to my femur (to the bone...sharpened chain often) and my femoral artery would have been shredded and I would have bled out very fast. Learned a couple HUGE life lessons. First, I was stupid for doing this at night and the second is I believe in chaps (all the safety gear). I have used Stihl and Husky and I believe in them. I saw way too many accidents logging and I truly believe most could have been avoided and most of those accidents were very serious.

God bless and happy trails! Swampfox

Labonville. I prefer mine ankle length or just above, seen many folks catching chaps on snags/limbs with there saggy chaps and eating bark with a saw in hand. Think i paid 65 at a local shop.

Just ordered mine. Have had 3 seperate jean rips. Ignorance.