Echo Gloves: not that Safe?

[Paul Bunions]

I finally broke down and ordered some chaps, and when I read that the top of the left hand was one of the most common sites for injuries, I also ordered some Echo safety gloves. I didn't look at them too carefully. I figured Echo would know how to make a safety glove.

They have two big features: vibration protection and cut protection. I'm all for the vibration protection. My right hand feels a little funny sometimes, and I think it may have something to do with the time I've put in with angle grinders.

I thought the gloves would contain the same stuff as chaps. Looks like they do not. Far as I can tell, they rely on kevlar to prevent cuts.

I am not overly impressed with kevlar. From riding motorcycles, I know it is vastly inferior to leather when it comes to preventing road rash. Not even in the same universe.

I've used kevlar gloves for cutting up fish, but they had stainless wires in them, and a filet knife is not a chainsaw.

Did I get the wrong gloves?

 

[HumBurner]

I finally broke down and ordered some chaps, and when I read that the top of the left hand was one of the most common sites for injuries, I also ordered some Echo safety gloves. I didn't look at them too carefully. I figured Echo would know how to make a safety glove.

They have two big features: vibration protection and cut protection. I'm all for the vibration protection. My right hand feels a little funny sometimes, and I think it may have something to do with the time I've put in with angle grinders.

I thought the gloves would contain the same stuff as chaps. Looks like they do not. Far as I can tell, they rely on kevlar to prevent cuts.

I am not overly impressed with kevlar. From riding motorcycles, I know it is vastly inferior to leather when it comes to preventing road rash. Not even in the same universe.

I've used kevlar gloves for cutting up fish, but they had stainless wires in them, and a filet knife is not a chainsaw.

Did I get the wrong gloves?

Kevlar and courdoura are fairly close. I would say practice awareness and mindfulness instead of relying on gimmicky-gloves.

 

[promechanic]

Not safety advice, but the leather vs kevlar comparison with bikes and chainsaws is apples and oranges. Leather is like cutting butter to a chainsaw, but Kevlar fibers will stop a saw faster than a chain brake.

 

[Michael E]

The only time you can injure your left hand with a chainsaw is when you use the saw one-handed and hold the wood with your left hand. That is simply bad practice. Always keep both hands on the saw.

 

[Bullseye T&L]

Chainsaw gloves? Whether they made them with the right or wrong material really isn't the issue. The issue is why would you need them? Man, if you need gloves, get some latex palm, nylon fabric models. Cut the finger tips out if that floats your boat. That saw will never slip loose. Get them wet for a few days and leave your hand on the saw long enough and they will literally stick to the handle. You'll need Goof-Off to get the residue off the saw

When little Forrest was dangling from that tree, his socks had that latex crap on the back side. That's why Jenny was so angry. Her socks didn't have that.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing PPE that you probably shouldn't need. Just don't let it make you complacent.

 

[Bullseye T&L]

Agreed on PPE if you think you need it. But I don't think Echo is wrong on the material. They've been doing this a long time. Kevlar is what they use in good chaps and chainsaw pants.

 

[moxiemaul]

Sometimes I think I need a kevlar vest, or armor plate in the woods. Recently I've been working on brambles to get into forest areas not touched in quite a few years- got tripped twice already by a loop in a bramble one end rooted the other stuck under the felled tree or whatever- the brambles don't break they might as well be a piece of rope. Last one I nearly faceplanted on a snag, buried the saw tip to break my fall- thankfully got out with just a bruise. Its got me really careful with clearing ground for footing, and foot placement.

The bramble thorns go right thru my gloves too- as bad as black locust. At least swinging the top of the 30" bar pushes everything away.

 

[Hermio]

I finally broke down and ordered some chaps, and when I read that the top of the left hand was one of the most common sites for injuries, I also ordered some Echo safety gloves. I didn't look at them too carefully. I figured Echo would know how to make a safety glove.

They have two big features: vibration protection and cut protection. I'm all for the vibration protection. My right hand feels a little funny sometimes, and I think it may have something to do with the time I've put in with angle grinders.

I thought the gloves would contain the same stuff as chaps. Looks like they do not. Far as I can tell, they rely on kevlar to prevent cuts.

I am not overly impressed with kevlar. From riding motorcycles, I know it is vastly inferior to leather when it comes to preventing road rash. Not even in the same universe.

I've used kevlar gloves for cutting up fish, but they had stainless wires in them, and a filet knife is not a chainsaw.

Did I get the wrong gloves?

I am curious. How does the left hand get injured? It always seemed to me that if you are gripping the handle, your left hand should be quite safe from chain-inflicted injuries. And the saw tends to throw small branches under the saw, not on top. I wear gloves using a chainsaw primarily for vibration protection and only when it is not too hot outside. My main use of gloves is for splinter protection when handling wood. I can see it would be useful for dealing with thorns in some cases.