EDITED: Protective Gear--anyone with Husky Helmet?

I use the stihl gear chaps helmets system and just a good steele toe boot. Also use a cut resistent shirt when in heavy brush

I highly recommend the Labonville chaps. They did a test comparing the chain-stopping ability of their chaps vs the other leading brands, you can see the video here. If the chaps won't stop the chain before it hits your skin--what's the point? I use the heck out of mine and they're durable, well made, and proven to stop chains!

I also recommend this helmet from Labonville, for $30 you can't beat it--I've had mine for awhile now and I really like it. It's well made, functions well, and it's inexpensive.

I second the Labonville chaps. I have the Rockman helmet system from Baileys that I like a lot too.

Nonprophet said:

I highly recommend the Labonville chaps. They did a test comparing the chain-stopping ability of their chaps vs the other leading brands, you can see the video here. If the chaps won't stop the chain before it hits your skin--what's the point? I use the heck out of mine and they're durable, well made, and proven to stop chains!

I also recommend this helmet from Labonville, for $30 you can't beat it--I've had mine for awhile now and I really like it. It's well made, functions well, and it's inexpensive.

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lol that video is a joke I am sure there great chaps but come on! theres a reason that there not showing the names of the other chaps

thinkxingu said:

OK, so I'm pretty much sold on the Labonville chaps--for the money, they seem as good (or better) than anything else I'm going to find.
Also, I'm going to pick up some steel-toed boots tomorrow.

BUT, do I really need a helmet? I'm not felling many, if any, trees--I'm limbing and bucking them only. I do have gloves, ear buds, and glasses.

S

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if there is anything that could fall and fit you on the head then yes you need a hard hat

My helmet has a screened face mask, which more than once has stopped splinters from the saw flying in my face (or eyes). I recommend wearing a helmet and keeping the face screen down, no matter what you're cutting. Also, from what I've read, the plastic in helmets degrades with UV light and a helmet should be replaced every couple ? of years. Small price to pay to save a person from a head injury. Also, wear gloves, to help protect the hands, tendons, nerves, from vibratory shock injury.

Last, interest a neighbor or friend with a new chainsaw to try it out on your wood, while you instruct (watch) from your easy chair with a cold one or two. Because practice makes perfect, let the neighbor cut at least a cord to make sure the saw is working right.

thinkxingu said:

SO,
Went to Lowe's and Tractor Supply to check out chaps--both sell Husqvarna, but TSC's are the Homeowner version whereas Lowe's are the Pro version. With a $10 coupon, the Pro's came out to $47 and they fit like a charm. I decided to check them out because it looks like the Labonville options don't seem to come around the leg as much--the pictures show they come just to the sides, but I've got MUCH bigger legs. Tree trunks.

S

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theres differnt kinds you most of bought full wrap good for cool season hot for summer

Starting from the head and working down-

Logging helmet system w/ hat / screen / muffs - The screen keeps chips out of your face as well as your eyes, though you should still also wear eye protection of some sort. I tried doing a few combinations of separate screen plus muffs, and it was a problem getting all the stuff on and to stay in place while cutting. Tried a combo muff/screen setup, and that was better, but still didn't really want to stay on right, the weight of the screen kept trying to turn the muffs on my ears. With the hat, the harness holds everything in place much better. I have a Husky setup, but don't see a lot of differences between them. The only thing I would do differently is look for a hat with a knob adjustable harness rather than the locking tab style - it is a PITA to adjust the tab style, and if you want to cut in the cold and wear a ski cap under it, or a sweat band in the heat that can be a nusiance, or if you want to loan the helmet to someone else. With the knob it is much easier to make the hat fit.

Some folks wear the various styles of chain saw shirts - I haven't seen the evidence that they provide enough added protection to be worth the money, however a good snug fitting long sleeve shirt is worth while.

Gloves - For use with the saw, I wear a pair of LumberWorks chainsaw gloves, that I purchased through Amicks - I think they are one of the best chainsaw gloves you can get in the US - I did a lot of looking and hadn't found any others that met my standards. I have a pair of the Husky chainsaw gloves, and they are very poor in comparison - less padding, don't fit as well, and the open gauntlet style serves to collect chips and funnel them down to the fingers where they get you under the nails when you put the gloves on.... The Lumberworks gloves are a "technical" style form fitting glove, with more saw stop padding (Listed to the EU's highest standard, the Husky's are the lowest) and vibration absorbing gel pads in the palms and fingers. They also have a velcro closure at the top that keeps the chips out pretty well. However they are kind of pricey, so I don't like wearing them unless I'm actually using the saw. For handling wood I wear the rubber coated stretch fabric type gloves such as made by Showa/Atlas glove (best durability of the brands I've tried) - at the hardware store they are around $5-6 / pair, but I get them in bulk from Cooper Safety Supply for less than half that. (Last time I got some it was around $70 for four dozen pairs, add a bandana to the order and I got over the minimum for free shipping)

Chaps - I've heard Labonvilles are nice, but you need to be careful ordering as they have a different sizing method, so if you order by your usual pants size they are too short. However I ended up with a pair of Stihl pros thanks to a sale at the local hardware store... They are nice, but I don't see anything about them that would make me think they were signifcantly better or worse than any of the other pro-grade brands. One thing to mention though, is that you need to read and follow the washing and care instructions on the chaps - they do need to be laundered regularly to keep the pads from matting down, but it is important to use the right stuff to wash them with, as some products, such as bleach, can destroy their protective properties.

Boots - Steel toes are better than nothing, but they don't offer much protection to anything but your toe area, and supposedly the accident studies show a lot of hits to the top and sides of the feet as well... You are going to get a lot better protection by wearing a pair of chainsaw specific boots. These have padding built in like chaps, and protect more of your feet (plus they have the steel toe to protect you against dropped rounds) I've seen some EU brands that look like rubber boots, and I have to wonder how comfortable they are, but their cost is fairly low. Labonvill also carries a line of chainsaw boots that look pretty good. However what I wear are Matterhorn Chainsaw boots - they are quite expensive, but I've never had a pair of boots that are as comfortable, and they are built to last, so aren't a bad investment - plus they offer more protection and a better feature set than any of the other boots I found on the market.

Gooserider

If you happen to be a size 13, here's a great deal on those Matterhorn boots:
http://www.vtarmynavy.com/matterhorn-mens-10-waterproof-leather-ul-chainsaw-boot---closeout.htm

$124

I wasn't particularly excited about the helmet's until I started using one. I run a Stihl helmet system now and LOVE it. I've never had anything come down from above but this helmet is great for a couple of other reasons. First - the ear protection is very comfy and super easy to flip out of the way when you shut the saw off. And second - the face screen is nice. Very nice. I hated sweating all over safety glasses prior to getting the helmet. Now I just flip the screen down and go. Much easier. Much cleaner.

For the money I'd get the helmet, even if you don't think you'll ever have anything come down from above. It's very convenient. Everything you need in one complete unit that you can toss aside when you take your beer breaks....

thinkxingu said:

Yo,
One thing I can't seem to wrap my mind around is the number of hand injuries--I've always got a secure grip on the saw, so how does it come in contact with the left hand?

Thanks,

S

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can be as simple as a chain breaking and limbs busting nuckles

I bought a Husky kit that comes with a helmet, gloves, chaps and glasses. I think it was about $150. I bought the ProForest kit which has the full wrap chaps.

All of the stuff works pretty good but I can tell you the full wrap chaps are hot to wear. I don't saw much in the summer months so it doesn't matter but if you do I'd see what else is out there.

I have a friend with Labonville chaps and they are decent too.

Kinda a sidenote re: muffs. My BIL loaned me his muffs that have a radio in them. Those are great. BUT recently I had to buy a new set of earbuds for my MP3 player. They have foamy ends that are like the memory foam. (They remind me of those little plugs you can buy in the store and we had them at the factory I used to work at, you roll it and then stick it in your ear and it expands and blocks out a ton of noise) Well, anyway, These earbuds block out so much noise that I realized I could turn down the MP3 volume to almost the lowest setting. Now I can use my MP3 player on the lawnmower, and I can saw away, too. Much more comfortable than the big old muffs I WAS using. Think they cost me either 15 or 20 bucks at walmart.

Sounds like the visor that goes in front of the face screeen. There are three basic parts to the screen setup,

1. The hinged hoop that snaps onto the muffs, which then go into the slots on the side of the helmet.

2. The mesh face screen that goes onto the hoop

3. The visor that sticks out in front of the screeen.

At least thats the way it works on my Husky Hat...

Gooserider