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In contrast to motor-driven chainsaws, hand-held chainsaws are operated using pure muscle power. This has the advantage that you need neither electricity nor fuel for operation and can also use this chainsaw as a throwing saw. With a hand chain saw you saw fresh and dead wood, even roots and tree trunks. In this guide you can read which criteria you should pay particular attention to when buying the utensil.
A hand chain saw is practical and quiet
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Nature is Adventure More bite with 33 teeth made of carbon steel hand chain saw incl. belt pouch - premium survival AST saw garden saw for camping, garden & outdoor accessories
19.99 EUR To the product| chain length | 65 centimeters |
|---|---|
| overall length | 105 centimeters |
| number of teeth | 33 |
| arrangement of the teeth | opposite |
| material | carbon steel |
| handles | nylon loops |
This hand chain saw from Nature is Adventure is not only suitable for use in the garden, but is also indispensable for camping and survival fans. The 33 counter-rotating saw teeth are made of carbon steel, which is particularly fine and sharp. In addition, the material is very easy to sharpen. However, carbon steel must be well cared for, dried after each use and stored dry - in contrast to stainless steel, the material is quite sensitive to rust. If you don't need the hand chain saw at the moment, keep it in the practical belt pouch. This means that the tool, which weighs only approx. 150 grams, can be folded up to a very small pack size. The Nature is Adventure hand chain saw is suitable for branches, roots and tree trunks with a diameter of up to 25 centimetres.
our recommendation
Iceberk hand chain saw incl. belt pouch - high-quality hand saw made of stainless carbon steel for sawing branches and small trees (60 cm)
15.99 EUR To the product| chain length | 60 centimeters |
|---|---|
| overall length | about 80 centimeters |
| number of teeth | 33 |
| arrangement of the teeth | opposite |
| material | carbon steel |
| handles | nylon loops |
In terms of material, sharpness, handling, etc., this saw chain from the manufacturer Iceberk is in no way inferior to the Nature is Adventure product already presented. In fact, the two hand chain saws are comparable in terms of workmanship and quality at a high level, as the numerous satisfied customer reviews on Amazon show. However, the Iceberk model has an advantage: you can buy it with different chain lengths of 60, 90 or 120 centimetres. The number of saw teeth also differs: the 60 cm model has 33 saw teeth, the 90 cm model has 48 and the 120 cm model has 63. The sharp teeth are arranged in opposite directions for each length to avoid snagging impede.
our recommendation
Overmont Hand Chainsaw Chainsaw AST Saw Garden Saw with 33 Steel Teeth Outdoor for Camping Garden Survival (103cm)
13.89 EUR To the product| chain length | 63 centimeters |
|---|---|
| overall length | 103 centimeters |
| number of teeth | 33 |
| arrangement of the teeth | opposite |
| material | steel |
| handles | nylon loops |
The hand chain saw from Overmont is also very popular with Amazon customers and mostly receives excellent ratings not only from hobby gardeners, but also from camping and survival enthusiasts. After all, such a tool can be used to quickly clear a wooden obstacle on the way and saw firewood for the evening campfire. In contrast to the other two models presented, this hand chain saw is not made of extra-sharp carbon steel, but of simple steel. According to the manufacturer's information, however, this is rust-free. However, some customers recommend regular regrinding of the saw teeth - with a 4-millimeter round file - and this tool should also be carefully cleaned, cared for (e.g. with Ballistol) and kept dry.
Purchase Criteria
purpose of use
Hand chain saws are suitable for different purposes. They can be used in the garden, for example to remove stubborn roots or to saw off a slightly higher hanging branch without using a ladder - the neighbors are also happy because the device is very quiet compared to a chainsaw. But these saw chains are also very popular in the outdoor and camping area, for example for chopping firewood. In principle, however, a hand chain saw is only suitable for wood. You cannot cut metal or plastic with it.
chain length
The length of the saw chain depends on the intended use: If branches and rather thin trunks - with a diameter of plus / minus up to 20 centimeters - are to be sawn, shorter models with a length of 60 centimeters are sufficient. In the outdoor area, on the other hand, longer hand chain saws with 90 or even 120 centimeters are often useful, as they can also cut through thicker pieces of wood. The weight is rather negligible, since all hand chain saws are very light with a weight of approx. 150 to a maximum of 300 grams.
saw teeth
Quantity: Basically, a hand chain saw should have as many saw teeth as possible, since their number determines the working speed. 60 cm saw chains should have more than 30 teeth, 90 cm more than 40 and 120 cm more than 60.
arrangement: Also make sure that the saw teeth are attached in opposite directions (bidirectional). Only these saw chains allow sawing through back and forth movements, and this arrangement also prevents snagging and thus interrupting the work.
material
In order for the hand chain saw to deliver good work results and last a long time, it should be made of robust and durable material. Many models are made of tool steel or hardened steel, very good products are made of carbon steel. Carbon steel is also referred to as carbon steel. Compared to stainless steel, this is much harder and therefore sharper, but tends to rust and therefore needs careful maintenance.
handles
Many hand chain saws have two hand straps made of nylon as handles. Nylon is a tear-resistant and robust material, and such models can also be stowed easily and space-savingly in the belt pouch that is often supplied. On the other hand, many users find the sawing through of very thick wood with loop models tedious (and blistering), so in such a case you should use a hand chain saw with a firm handle (e.g. a T-handle) made of metal, wood or plastic should give preference.
frequently asked Questions
What is a hand chain saw?
In contrast to motorized chain saws, hand chain saws only consist of a saw chain and two handles. This makes the tool very light, handy and easy to stow away and transport - no wonder it is so popular in the outdoor area. You put the chain around the branch or trunk and saw it through back and forth movements. The hand chain saw can be operated by one or two people together.
How safe are hand chain saws?
While using a hand-held chainsaw over a motorized chainsaw is much more tiring, it is also safer. After all, the chain only saws when the user makes the appropriate movements. This is also the reason why saw chains (in contrast to chainsaws) do not develop a "life of their own" or accidents due to carelessness, etc. can come.
What are the advantages of hand chain saws?
Hand chain saws are very light - a 60 centimeter long model with nylon loops weighs about 150 grams. That's why they can be easily stowed away in small belt pouches and transported without additional effort. In addition, these tools are quiet, which makes their use interesting for hobby gardeners in residential areas as well as for outdoor enthusiasts in lonely forests. Last but not least, the saw chains are also uncomplicated in terms of care, since the time-consuming oiling and re-tensioning of the saw chain as with chainsaws is no longer necessary.
How do you properly care for the hand chain saw?
After each use you should carefully remove saw residues. In addition, saw chains made of carbon steel in particular should be dried thoroughly afterwards and stored in a dry place, otherwise there is a risk of the metal rusting. If necessary, you can sharpen teeth that have become blunt yourself with a 4 mm round file. Occasional oiling of the chain also maintains its flexibility.
How much does a hand chain saw cost?
Depending on the manufacturer, a high-quality hand chain saw is already available for between around 10 and 20 euros. This often includes a small belt pouch into which the saw chain can be stowed. It gets a bit more expensive if you buy them in a set with other tools. It makes sense to purchase it together with a sharpening device and throwing weights.
Is there an alternative to the hand chain saw?
Instead of a handheld chainsaw, you can also use a wire saw, which works similarly to this one. However, wire saws do not have a saw chain, just a thin wire. This allows finer cuts, but the wire also breaks more easily. Alternatively, the use of a folding saw (€17.70) is also conceivable in the outdoor area. This is a small saw blade that you fold up like a pocket knife when not in use.
equipment
care oil
our recommendation
BALLISTOL 82174 21150, multicolored, 500 ml
9.99 EUR To the productA care oil like Ballistol is indispensable for tool care, not only for hand chain saws. You can spray the product on after cleaning and drying, and the work process is complete. The care oil keeps the saw chain flexible and protects the material from corrosion. The lubricant Ballistol is also suitable for other purposes, such as the care of leather and wood.