Chainsaws are powerful machines both used by homesteaders and professional loggers. Due to their sharp, powerful chain and chunks of wood flying around, the possibility of risk is always close whenever a chainsaw is used. Out of the personal protection for users, chainsaw gloves are of significant importance and will be discussed in this blog post.
Chainsaw gloves:
Chainsaw gloves are different than regular gloves and are recommended when using a chainsaw. These gloves protect your hands and fingers from likely accidents, keep them safe from flying chunks of wood, splinters, and other sharp objects. Furthermore, they provide a good grip, resist moisture and punctures, and dampen chainsaw vibrations.
Wearing chainsaw gloves gives you a better grip on your chainsaw and makes you feel more confident since you are less likely to get cut. You will be better able to focus on your job, which will keep you and those around you safe.
For understanding the importance of chainsaw gloves and their impact on the safety aspect of sawing, please scroll down to read in detail.
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Do chainsaw gloves work?
Chainsaw gloves protect your hands and fingers from all kinds of accidents. If they make contact with the rotating chain, the outer cover tears and exposes the inner fibers. They will eventually jam the rotating chain and prevent them from causing any harm to your hand.
I recommend always work safely by wearing gloves with layered with protective fabric. If the chainsaw chain meets the glove, it automatically slashes the outer layer, exposing its inner fibers.
Afterward, the inner fibers of the fiber will end up encircling the chainsaw drive sprocket, hence creating a solid jam and preventing the chain from running. With this provision, you can drastically lessen the severity of an injury that could occur to your hand if you accidentally make contact with the cutting chain.
● What to do if your chainsaw gloves have been cut”
It is important to remember that after the chainsaw glove has been cut, the fibers will stop the chain, so you will have to replace them with new gloves. Always invest in gloves that are specially designed for chainsaws. Regular gloves are not able to stop the sharp chain in case it makes contact with your hands.
When the chainsaw is jammed, it must be disassembled to remove the fibers from the sprocket and chain. Otherwise, the chain will not rotate as it’s stuck in the guide bar.
● The left chainsaw glove is slightly different
Note that the left-handed glove has additional padding compared with right-handed gloves. This is because the left hand placed is near to the chain and stands at a greater risk. The top handle near the chain is made to be held by the left hand only. Hence, if you’re left-handed, you will have to adjust to this setting as this is the only way of safely handling the chainsaw.
Especially effective are the gloves that have Velcro on the wrist so they can be adjusted to fit perfectly once on. If your hands fall in between sizes, Velcro can help a lot to ensure that the gloves will fit well and comfortably every time.
What is the best type of gloves to use when operating a chainsaw?
While buying chainsaw gloves, always look out for those that have layered protection. Check the ANSI rating and what inner material is used. Thus inner material is what will stop the chainsaw in case of your hands hitting it.
To adjudge a chainsaw glove, always check if it follows any certification such as by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). ANSI rates the puncture and cut resistance of protective gloves. Apart from the certification, pay close attention to the inner fiber used in the glove for hand protection, such as Kevlar, goatskin, TPR, or Nylon. Kevlar is deemed the toughest amongst all.
● Youngstown Chainsaw safety gloves
Based on my experience and those from other professional loggers, I would recommend Youngstown safety gloves. These gloves are layered with Kevlar for the inner protection of your hand. Their comfort and fitting are appreciated by many chainsaw users. The inner Kevlar lining has stopped chainsaw chains and prevented several accidents.
Their only drawback, in my opinion, is their external cut resistance. It is a bit on the lower side. The outer material is a bit flimsy, which can get punctured by a really sharp object. However, the inner fabric lined with Kevlar is strong enough to save your hands from any injury. All in all, I would say that this particular model provides you with excellent protection and is affordable.
In comparison, I think that Husqvarna and Oregon gloves that are on the market come secondary in overall protection. Husqvarna does not show any certifications by ANSI, as far as I know. They are also less cost-effective, and I have seen several loggers having fitting issues.
What are chainsaw gloves used for?
Chainsaw gloves are an essential part of the chainsaw personal protective equipment (PPE) for hands and fingers. They reduce the chance of severe hand injuries that could result from using the chainsaw. They also provide a comfortable grip for the handling of the chainsaw.
Many loggers among us may believe that a chainsaw can safely be operated with nothing more than sunglasses as safety gear, but such a mindset does more to cause injury than to speed up or optimize productivity.
Although not the most common, but a serious risk while using chainsaws is hand injuries. You will be at risk of losing the chainsaw, falling or spewing debris, and even cutting your hands or fingers in some cases without these gloves.
Using gloves can ensure that you are on the safer side. As a result, moving chainsaws will stop in their tracks and tear up the back of the glove instead of your fingertips. Furthermore, since the palms and fingers of most gloves are reinforced, they provide even more anti-slip capability, making them extra effective. Chainsaw gloves should always be worn if you’re using a chainsaw for any purpose.
Will Kevlar stop a chainsaw?
A well-designed product containing Kevlar will stop a chainsaw. Kevlar is among the strongest fabrics and is used for bulletproof vests and helmets. Kevlar and other strong materials are used on the inside of chainsaw gloves. When hit with the rotating chain, those long Kevlar fibers will clog the chainsaw, and it will stop.
Kevlar is a popular material found in chainsaw gloves, where it is mainly used as an inner layer. Kevlar is much stronger than polyester or Nylon. In contact with a running saw, the outer layer will be cut easily. But the inner layer, made of Kevlar, wraps around the chainsaw’s drive sprocket and jams the chain instantaneously.
As this happens so quickly, it significantly limits the chance of injury to your hands. When it happens, the glove will be unusable and must be replaced. The chainsaw must be taken apart to remove all the fibers.
Kevlar is also often stitched into the seams and joints to give the gloves more strength.
Are chainsaw gloves anti-vibration?
Chainsaw gloves protect against vibrations. Chainsaw vibrations can not only be a source of discomfort, but prolonged exposure can result in hand-arm vibration syndrome, muscle weakness, and numbness.
Chainsaw gloves come with several vibration-dampening layers, along with excellent cut protection materials.
An essential feature of chainsaw gloves is their built-in vibration-reducing technology. The usage of a chainsaw involves a lot of vibration, which is challenging for any operator. Chainsaw vibrations put you at an increased risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome. This condition can weaken your muscles and often cause numbness and pain.
The vibration reduction feature from suitable chainsaw gloves makes it easier to use your chainsaw for a longer period without getting your hands tired. Safety is improved as it makes it less likely you make an error, or the chainsaw will fall off your hand or slip while in use.
What are chainsaw gloves made of?
The outer layer of a chainsaw glove is usually stitched from leather which provides puncture resistance. The inner layer is made of strong loose fibers from Kevlar, Nylon, goatskin, or another strong material. The outer layer can also be padded with additional materials like rubber to better grip and reduce vibrations.
In terms of construction, chainsaw gloves are composed of two main layers:
- Outer layer: It protects the hand from external factors such as sharp objects, flying chunks of wood, environmental hazards, etc. The outer layer material is puncture-resistant. The outer layer is often enforced with a padding material such as rubber, which provides a superior grip and reduces vibrations.
- Inner layer: The inner layer is the main glove fabric that gives the actual cut protection. If the rotating chain touches your hand and tears away the outer layer, the inner fabric strong and long fibers surround the sprocket and stop the chain. Thus keeping it from cutting your hand. The inner layer materials include Kevlar, Nylon, Polar, and TPR (thermoplastic rubber), or other strong materials.
In other parts of the glove, such as in the wrist section, Spandex is used. It is a stretchable material that provides comfort and makes it easier for you to wear the glove. On the inner portions of the glove, goatskin is used due to its ability to resist moisture.