True North
Here is a pack designed for carrying a chain saw and fire fighter gear.
True North Gear | Fire Fighting Equipment - Packs - Chainsaw Pack
If $205 before shipping scares you turn and run.
Wait, there's more:
For an additional $67 you can get a sack/pack segment that fits over the saw:
True North Gear | Fire Fighting Equipment - Wildland Fire - Packs - Go! Pack
There is a lot of flexibility to this gear set up and you can move things around.
It will allow you to remove the saw head holder and just use it as a regular fire fighter.
You should not even remotely consider using this for recreational hiking.
Some pockets are quick to move as they use the 'Alice Clips' (military) on the belt.
I worked for years as a Master Rigger.
I judge this pack to be well made and fairly priced.
Sorry, that's the kind of money it takes.
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Here is the deal.
It costs to design/develop/make these things.
I bought just the basic unit on eBay for 180 including shipping last year.
It was new. I think the seller was another company that had studied the product. Good deal for me as the base price was $195 last year.
I've made my own pack and I protect my bar/chain/muffler/dogs with my own sewn 3" fire hose outer.
(I've sewn a flared 'skirt' on the saw end that covers the dogs and muffler some)
If you're a pro cutter I would suggest some sort of bar/chain cover - I think the old fire hose is best, again the kind with two layers and you just use the outer sheath - as your sharp saw will cut their kevlar webbing holder eventually. Plus the bar heat etc.
Don't go for the newer 2 1/2" fire hose or the inner part of the 3". They are just too tight.
You'll have to go to your local fire department after they have tested their hose and are in the process of tossing the bad stuff.
If you have to pack a saw a long way or through terrain this pack is the cats meow.
Note. I also set up a slot on the pack so that I could take off the bar and it doesn't stick up so high for catching on brush/limbs.
A faller could take the Fire Shelter holder - for the new larger shelter BTW - and use that as a spot for lunch. Think jammed sandwich.
(The shelters are protected by a stiff plastic holder that would do OK for your lunch. However, you have worked with someone that would defeat that protection. Hopefully its not you.)
This pack doesn't include the shelter - they run around $300 - I got mine off eBay for just over $200 new.
(If you're a fire fighter I believe these are going to be required on federal fires this year:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fire-Shelter-wi...Protection&hash=item43a58f9f49#ht_1078wt_1141 )
It does have an OK spot for a falling axe.
But like the metal axe holders if you fall you could have a good bruise from the axe or tin holder - either way everybody falls sometime in the woods.
One thing some fire fighters do is transport their fuel in metal 'SIGG' bottles in basically canteen pockets. Generally fallers should ignore that. Fallers go through way too much fuel - they're messy people and fuel isn't becoming plus the jugs are a good way to do that business.
If you did want to buy the SIGG bottles they are expensive.
Try Brunton from SierraTradingPost
Brunton Fuel Bottle - 1 Liter, Aluminum - Save 71%
Goto the second item.
Be aware that you'll have to figure out your particular saws gas/oil ratio and .........
If you wait a few days you can get those for a buck cheaper as they are constantly moving their prices with online coupons and no-shipping deals.
BTW:
Go to
MSR Fuel Bottle with CRP Cap - 20 fl. oz. at REI.com for a wake up.
SIGG MSR Brunton are all decent products with the first two being the best.
Hope this helps with sources and your daydreams
