The one handed debate...

[mndlawn]

We all know that in a perfect world 2 hands firmly planted on a saw while cutting in a tree is the way to go. But how many of us honestly wield old reliable one handed most of the time?

 

[DK_stihl]

One-handed

Seriously? You must not do much tree work if you even are asking this question. EVERY production tree foreman I have ever worked with uses a saw one-handed. Everyone else is lying to you.

 

[tr33thri11s]

I never ever ever one hand a chainsaw. I hold it in a firm grim in my teeth. Makes for spitting out my chew a bit difficult, but hey NO ANSI rules saying I can't. :greenchainsaw: Almost like that. LOL

 

[mndlawn]

Everyone else is lying to you.

Exactly

 

[Nailsbeats]

I do when I see the need and deem it a necessary skill to have. One handing and two handing carry different risks, learn to identify and mitigate them, instead of believing one will keep you safe and the other is bad. My 2cents.

 

[DK_stihl]

I do when I see the need and deem it a necessary skill to have. One handing and two handing carry different risks, learn to identify and mitigate them, instead of believing one will keep you safe and the other is bad. My 2cents.

Good post, I agree!

 

[mndlawn]

Seriously? You must not do much tree work if you even are asking this question.

It's just a question to get some feedback. Not looking for insults.

 

[Bermie]

This one is like the topping or spiking prune threads!!! Its been debated MANY times!!!

My standard answer, only one hand when there is no danger I will cut a rope or myself!!

 

[Tree Pig]

I think we need to stop debating it before some liberal makes the saw manufacturers stop making them. For all intents and purposes top handle saws are designed and balanced for one handed use. I am a firm believer that there are times when one handed cutting (with a top handle saw) can actually be safer then two handed cutting. Besides I get really tired of my big mits always engaging the chain brake on my 200t.

For all intents and purposes top handle saws are designed and balanced for one handed use

Of course I am referring to the stihl top handles, I not sure what the husqy top handles are balance for... Maybe stump grinding.

 

[BigE]

My first saw was a top handle saw, and yes, it was easy to use it one handed. Easy enough such that I got used to it and did it w/o thinking about it. Usually two-handed, but one-handed when the situation called for it.

So, when I tried a rear handle saw and tried using *that* one handed, wow, what a rude awakening! Front of the saw came down too fast, and I couldn't get my finger off the gas! Fortunately, when I do cut one handed, the saw is always off to the side, so no harm done, but man, what an eye opener!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

But how many of us honestly wield old reliable one handed most of the time?

There are many who do, but they are idiots. Nobody can control the kickback of a chainsaw with one hand. If one handed operation is a workers SOP, then that person is an accident waiting to happen.

Seriously? You must not do much tree work if you even are asking this question. EVERY production tree foreman I have ever worked with uses a saw one-handed. Everyone else is lying to you.

I guarantee you that one handing is the exception rather then the rule for me, and I call myself above-average to be humble. I know people who are better then me who see one-handing as purely bone-lazy tradecraft. It should take only a few seconds to shift to a safer position.

 

[ozzy42]

I think of it this way .I usually 2 hand the saw when I'm in a lazy mood to be honest about it.
Most of thetime though I am using the left hand to move branches on the ground to get to the next cut ,or doing cut-n-throw while aloft.

However ,,,,I insist my son [15 yrs old ] keeps both hands on the saws at all times.Mostly due to the fact that he has nt been using saws for 28yrs.

Do as I say ,not as I do.

 

[VT_Tree_Wrecker]

There are many who do, but they are idiots. Nobody can control the kickback of a chainsaw with one hand. If one handed operation is a workers SOP, then that person is an accident waiting to happen.



I guarantee you that one handing is the exception rather then the rule for me, and I call myself above-average to be humble. I know people who are better then me who see one-handing as purely bone-lazy tradecraft. It should take only a few seconds to shift to a safer position.

:agree2:

 

[rob b]

two hands are better than one but when your over bare wire 13.2 kv sometimes you have no choice

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I use mine one handed half the time. I recognise its not ideal but around close to 100 arborists I have worked around, in different countries and from different countries, almost all single hand at least 30% of the time. German, Aussie, Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, Norwegian, NZers, Canadian, American.

Even those (germans) who were adament they didnt ever single handed would do it at least a few times a day.

 

[DK_stihl]

I agree

two hands are better than one but when your over bare wire 13.2 kv sometimes you have no choice

This is the majority of the work I do. There is no "better position" to move to, and you're not going to use a rope, sling, or a snap cut and risk the brush hitting the line. Hold it and cut it.

 

[highpointtree]

50%

When using the 200t I only one hand 50% of the time and then I switch and use the other hand 50% of the time.

 

[EdenT]

I one hand my silky all the time.

I one hand 200T's occasionally to. What I have noted is that usually I am one handing it because I am too fat and lazy to get into a good cutting position that would allow me to use two hands. I also note that most cuts I would do one handed with a 200T I can do more safely with my silky. If I want to have one hand on the piece being cut, I finish the cut with the silky. I will still one hand the 200T in the future, but I consider it a high risk move and try to do it as little as possible.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

This is the majority of the work I do. There is no "better position" to move to, and you're not going to use a rope, sling, or a snap cut and risk the brush hitting the line. Hold it and cut it.

Snap cuts work fine.

Last storm i worked i saw an experienced bucketman/CA nail his left hand. He was luck that the break had engaged and he was just gouged in the heel of his palm with static teeth.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Of course I am referring to the stihl top handles, I not sure what the husqy top handles are balance for... Maybe stump grinding.