Lefty Saw

[Marklambert61]

I read some info about saw injuries for left handed people like myself. I personally have never gotten hurt using a saw because of my left handed use.

Is there such thing as a lefty saw?

Mark...

 

[windthrown]

No large manufacturer of saws makes a left handed saw. As far as I know, and I have looked. My ex-GF was a leftie, and had problems using a saw right handed, as they should be used. I would think there would be a large enough market to warrent a left handed 210 or 290 model or something like that.

That being said, the ex-GF was happier using a TH saw becasue they can be throttled with either hand. The TH saws are more ambodexterous. BTW: using a rear handle saw, you should always cut right handed. And you should never use a TH saw on the ground. Ergonomics...

 

[fsfcks]

I read in some safety manual that left-handed users should use saws right handed. I'm right-handed but use most tools left-handed when I can

 

[Marklambert61]

Lefty

I read in some safety manual that left-handed users should use saws right handed. I'm right-handed but use most tools left-handed when I can

Ya I try to use the saw right handed also but its very awkward for a lefty and I believe is more unsafe than using the saw lefty.

Mark...

 

[Spotted Owl]

Holy Hell :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop:

The saftey problems running a saw lefty. First off I realize that there are times when this cannot be avoided.

First and foremost KICKBACK. Running a saw leftie you have now put your entire upper body across the bar and chain durring a kickback. You cannot duck or move to the side enough to miss the rearward movment, that is if you were even fast enough in the first place. The chain break lever is desgined for the left hand to be on the handle not the right. If the saw kicks the angle of the handle and the break lever comming together will push the saw away from your arm and body. With your right hand on the handle, in a kick your hand will be pinched and held in the path and thus holding the body also in the path or the kickback.

Then the shut off. Should for some reason you need and emergency shut down your are at a disadvantage. Instead of a flick of your thumb, you must take your hand off the saw and come back to the other side inorder to get to the shut off switch.

If it is not comfy to run the saw correctly, operate small amounts at a time until you can feel comfortable.

Don't be bull headed about this run the saw the right way, the way it was designed to be operated. If you won't run it correctly for you, then run it right so your family will have you around that much longer.



Owl

 

[bigbadbob]

I'm a leftie, have always used a saw like a righty!!!
Never occured to use it any other way!!!
I guess that makes me sort of normal,, eh!!

 

[buzz sawyer]

Holy Hell :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop:

The saftey problems running a saw lefty. First off I realize that there are times when this cannot be avoided.

First and foremost KICKBACK. Running a saw leftie you have now put your entire upper body across the bar and chain durring a kickback. You cannot duck or move to the side enough to miss the rearward movment, that is if you were even fast enough in the first place. The chain break lever is desgined for the left hand to be on the handle not the right. If the saw kicks the angle of the handle and the break lever comming together will push the saw away from your arm and body. With your right hand on the handle, in a kick your hand will be pinched and held in the path and thus holding the body also in the path or the kickback.

Then the shut off. Should for some reason you need and emergency shut down your are at a disadvantage. Instead of a flick of your thumb, you must take your hand off the saw and come back to the other side inorder to get to the shut off switch.

If it is not comfy to run the saw correctly, operate small amounts at a time until you can feel comfortable.

Don't be bull headed about this run the saw the right way, the way it was designed to be operated. If you won't run it correctly for you, then run it right so your family will have you around that much longer.


Owl

I ran the saw (no chain brake) lefty for about 30 years until I found this site and saw the light. I now run them ONLY right handed and feel perfectly comfortable and much safer.

 

[Marklambert61]

use righty

I always use my saw righty when cuting down trees...

I just struggle when Im falling trees cutting righty puts me on the wrong side of the tree for my comfort zone...

I will get use to it someday I hope.

Mark...

 

[Cowboy Billy]

I am left handed but have never had a problem running a saw "right" hand. I would imagine I never thought about it as I probably started using a chainsaw at about 12 years old. Shoot a rifle right handed and a pistol left handed. Hmm?

Billy

 

[KindlingKing]

I am left handed but have never had a problem running a saw "right" hand. I would imagine I never thought about it as I probably started using a chainsaw at about 12 years old. Shoot a rifle right handed and a pistol left handed. Hmm?

Billy

Ditto. Plus I swing a bat right handed and wear a right handed baseball glove. Kick a ball with the left foot though. If I haven't proven how screwed up I am, just ask my wife..... In spite of all this, I haven't had any accidents with the saw, the guns or all the rest.

 

[jpvjr]

Yep, I'm a lefty too, but I put a full wrap & double dogs on mine (I know, I know it looks stuuuupid), but it works for me. Also use it as a righty.

 

[romeo]

Why does it bother you to cut on the wrong side, you not writing your name, just squeezing a trigger. Whose to say they aren't all left handed saws anyway. My changeover times and aim were exactly the same either way (within a hundredth). Sure, you are not talking about racing. But when I switched from a right side drive to a left side drive, I spent quite a while in slow motion and timing runs with the video.
Righty:

Lefty:

Running them backwards does leave a kickback path in to your jugular, something to think about.

 

[joesawer]

Holy Hell :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop:

The saftey problems running a saw lefty. First off I realize that there are times when this cannot be avoided.

First and foremost KICKBACK. Running a saw leftie you have now put your entire upper body across the bar and chain durring a kickback. You cannot duck or move to the side enough to miss the rearward movment, that is if you were even fast enough in the first place. The chain break lever is desgined for the left hand to be on the handle not the right. If the saw kicks the angle of the handle and the break lever comming together will push the saw away from your arm and body. With your right hand on the handle, in a kick your hand will be pinched and held in the path and thus holding the body also in the path or the kickback.

Then the shut off. Should for some reason you need and emergency shut down your are at a disadvantage. Instead of a flick of your thumb, you must take your hand off the saw and come back to the other side inorder to get to the shut off switch.

If it is not comfy to run the saw correctly, operate small amounts at a time until you can feel comfortable.

Don't be bull headed about this run the saw the right way, the way it was designed to be operated. If you won't run it correctly for you, then run it right so your family will have you around that much longer.



Owl

Holy hell.........
I am right handed and often run the saw left handed.
Ummm.... I don't think the brake lever was ever intended to push the saw away from your body in the event of kick back. It was designed to activate the brake.