Stephen M. Henning wrote:


One of the most dangerous times in using a chair saw is when starting a
gasoline saw. That is the one time you don't have very good control of
it. A good starting technique that can be used in the woods is
essential. This is especially true of the more powerful saws.

No it's not. The chain doesn't start moving until the motor is reved high
enough to engage the clutch. A modern saw will have a chain brake, and if
it's engaged the blade will not turn even if you rev it up. And they don't
rev very fast when first starting. It is possible to cut yourself when
starting a saw without the chain brake set, but there are lots of cutting
situations that are *much* more dangerous (like felling a big sycamore tree
or a leaning tree without first wrapping a logging chain around the trunk
to keep it from splitting, or trimming limbs while standing on a ladder.)

-Bob