First lessons in safe cutting

[Timberquest]

I still remember the first time I got my hands on a saw as a kid.
My grip was all over the place, and I was a bundle of nerves.

Do you have any childhood memories of learning to cut safely? Who was the one that showed you how to do it right?

 

[Kickbackking]

When I was twelve, my grandpa gave me an old Homelite and yelled at me for gripping it too tightly. He showed me the right stance and how to respect kickback. That lesson stuck, I still hear his voice whenever I pick up a saw.

 

[choppychuckle]

Dad let me use his 028 Stihl when I was probably too young.
I had to practice on logs lying flat for about a month before moving on to standing ones.
Safety was always the priority.

 

[LogLife]

My uncle taught me when I was fourteen. The first thing he did was show me kickback on a log to make sure I stayed alert. It worked, I never forgot that bar swinging around. Then we spent hours on cutting techniques before I tackled anything serious. He was honestly the best teacher.

 

[Paul]

My father , me and and an XL12 Homelite.

 

[Leon Couper]

My father taught me on a old Pioneer that was about as big and heavy as I was and
he must have taught me well as I have never ever cut myself with any chainsaw.
But there was one thing he would not let me do was under cut. I never really learnt
to do this till I started working in a sawmill. As he said some of those guys you
are working with have been using chainsaws ever since they were built. As I said
in one of my other post done wrong and the saw can ride up the log and can be the
face and shoulders that can stop it. In those days with no chain brakes you had
very little chance but with todays saws most times the left hand will activate it and
you will get away with it with a change of underpants.

 

[Paul]

Quality modern chain saws have inertia brakes. Brake will apply automatically if there is a violent kick back, even if brake handle has not been hit by your hand.
Do not rely on brake coming on, prevent kickback by paying attention where your bar tip is at all times.

 

[Leon Couper]

Yes I agree with that but the first saws that came out with chain brakes were activated by your knuckles hitting it.

 

[Alan]

Really great stories and valuable lessons here. It’s clear that respecting the saw, forming good habits, and learning from our teachers are things that stick with us forever. Appreciate everyone sharing their memories and safety tips.