Hi GarlyDog,

I missed your post a couple of weeks ago about chainsaws.

I agree with the others who reccomended Husqvarna or Stihl chainsaws, both are first rate products.

I killed a few cheaper saws when I was younger (Pioneer x2, Craftsman, Skil, Homelite) and finally settled on Husqvarna because I found a good deal on a used one. I have used that 266 saw steady for 15 years and the only thing I have repaired was the choke lever that I broke the tip off (my fault). At work we standardized on Husqvarna's and they are much better than the Pioneer's they replaced.

There seems to be two different grades of Husqvarna chainsaws, the homeowner and professional versions. In chainsaws I think you get the quality that you pay for.

I bought a second Husky 266 at a yard sale last year for 10 dollars and figured I would just use it for parts. The saw had been in storage for years, but started up and ran well with no problem. The oiler did not function so for $12.00 I had it repaired (nylon gear changed) and after a full testing I resold it, the saw was just too good to keep sitting around for parts.

In reply to your question about protective chainsaw chaps/pants; I have been around the forest industry for 25 years and have seen many serious chainsaw accidents, I have also witnessed many injuries prevented by this protective gear.

I personally have worn ballistic chainsaw pants and gloves since the early 80's and do not cut without them (or without a partner), but I had never personally put them to the test, until Labour Day last fall. My partners and I were cutting out a survey line on a very hot day. By the afternoon I was getting tired and only had a few thin balsam fir trees left to remove. I had just cut through a small tree and carelessly took a step forward while the saw chain was still running at near full rev's. I drove the bottom of the spinning blade into my left thigh, and the ballistic nylon fibers exploded which bound up the chain; I had cut through 2 of the 4 protective layers of my safety pants. Without that protection I would have cut my thigh to the femur with huge blood loss; the location is at least an hour from the nearest hospital, I do not know if I would have survived the trip.

The cost of the safety gear is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy, at this time of year it would make a great Christmas gift from a loved one.

My 0.02 cents,

Mike