Looking to add a chainsaw to my BOV...

[stonebridge]

I was up in NY checking in on a farm.  Took the new (to us.  Love it, by the way) Ford tractor up to the high pasture.  There was a tree growing too close to the spring-house so I decided to take it down.  The old Husqvarna chainsaw was dull as a butter knife but I was in a hurry so I worried it down. 

Anyway, it's occurred to me before that a decent chainsaw would be a handy thing to have in a BOV.  Many's the time I've had to latch on to downed trees with my tow rope and drag them out of the way with the Subaru so people wouldn't wreck in the dark.  Sure would've been handy if I could disassemble portions of the tree first.  It's a huge game changer when you have to transition from BOV to shank's mares so I want to keep my vehicle going forward as long as possible.

I looked at Craftsman chainsaws today.  Nothing too huge, just enough for emergencies.  Figured a 16"  or maybe, maybe an 18" with a spare chain and fuel in the trunk would be a handy thing to have around here.  The 16" will be on-sale for about $125 starting Sunday.  It even comes in Tactical Black.   

Of course I have a decent axe and bow-saw but expediency is key in the SHTF travel game.

Good on zombies too!

Thoughts?

-'bridge

[godlessdustin]

Good Idea. For me I would try to keep it simple as possible. I think an axe would be the best thing. It doest run out of fuel and canbe used as a weapon. You dont have to worry about getting it started or oil and it stays quiet until you actually use it. Plus it would probably take up less space or even be easier to carry long distances. I guess a chainsaw would be for the shtf survivor that has everything though.

[HiPoint45]

Whats wrong with the husky? They're one of the finest chainsaws around.... sharpen or replace the chain?

[stonebridge]

Thanks for the responses.

Husky belongs to gramps, stays in NY.

I definitely agree that an axe is much less complicated, quiet, and light.  Which is why I have one as part of my gear.  The point of the chainsaw would be to keep roads clear or any of a number of other emergency tasks while either bugging out or trying to get back home.  I certainly wouldn't try and carry it if I had to ditch my vehicle.  I also wouldn't want to have to turn back to an unsafe situation just because some timber fell on the way to my BOL.

Also, my thought is, though guns and MREs are way sexier than a chainsaw, there's a much greater chance that I'll need the saw before I'll need my arsenal or my freeze dried consumables.

I've had to fell, limb, and section a 40 foot pine with a camp-axe.  Nothing you'd want to try and do in a hurry during a storm while the escape-to-high-ground window closes.

Keep the thoughts coming,

-'bridge

[HiPoint45]

Oh then definitely yes get like a 16" one..sorry I thought the husky was yours and you were just discounting it..I just bought a 16" homelite does everything I need around here and fits easily in the trunk of car or back of suv etc. way easier than swinging the axe for alot of work.

[SHOOTER Z]

Good idea! I wouldn't store it in the BOV, just keep it handy to grab and go also gas, oil, and learn how to change and sharpen the blade. ALSO consider extra plugs etc  for it in a special box.

[Beowolf1911]

Personally you can hear a chainsaw from a mile away, and they take up a huge amount of space, for the minimal chance that you will truly need it I say stick with the axe.  There is a possibility that a large tree will fall in your path, but I think your better off finding a way around it.  the fifteen to twenty minutes you spend cutting a smaller piece to remove could attract a lot of unwanted attention.

[SteveD]

If you want the capability of cutting things up find a old 2 person buck saw. You will be surprised on how fast they cut. 

[jmstevens2]

And make it a real axe, not a camp axe, or hatchet as I grew up calling them. They have a purpose, but a good heavy axe cuts quite well once you learn how.

[daved931]

If it's something for your BOV, I would just get a Poulan at WalMart and flat black it.  Get a small jerry can and a few bottles of 2 cycle mix.  Then you can just add gas and mix if you need to use it.  Maybe even keep a little siphon kit in your BOV so you can pull gas right out of the tank. 

If it's something you're going to use a lot and not have just in case, I would spend the money on a Stihl or a Husqvarna. 

[ne995]

if you go with a saw stick with the husky the last stihl i had was crap and so was my dads poulan is not bad for a cheap saw the craftsman is alright too but not much price diff from the husky

[ajole]

Out in Oregon, where we have REAL trees, we'd laugh at a 16" garden tool like that...
But as a way to ensure you are able to get to your BOL, it makes sense.
After you get there, the hand saw makes more sense; in a SHTF situation.  Quieter, needs no fuel, etc.  And an axe is a great tool, but there is a reason loggers use a saw to cut trees down and then cut them up. It is easier and faster to use a saw.  Axes were mostly used to bump knots, cut notches for the springboard to get up far enough that the saw could reach through the tree, and to split firewood.

You know what they say, cutting wood keeps you warm twice...once when you cut it, once when you burn it. 

[RDFabsRep]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a Craftsman and I do currently own one.  You'd be much better off with a Stihl or Husky if you want something that'll last you.  I'll be picking up a Husky myself soon and retiring the Craftsman, unless I decide to sell it altogether.

[daved931]

I've had great luck with Stihl and so has my dad.  Not sure what happened with you ne995.  My uncle works in the woods for a living and swears by Stihl.  To each his own though.  My grandfather has had nothing but Husqvarnas and he loves 'em.  I think both are great saws. 

[jrfount]

Just to throw in my two cents on the brand.  Craftsman saws are just relabeled poulans and Poulan is not what it once was.  The high jets are not adjustable on most poulans making their carbs a virtually throw away device.  Not a good feature for something you will depend on be it due to a storm or shtf.  Stihl is great but expensive.  Husky and Echo are both excellent.  I prefer the echo and if you look on ebay you can usually get them for up to 100 less than Lowes.  I bought a nice 18" for 220 brand new including shipping on ebay about a year ago.  I've dropped and chopped over 30 150 year old oaks with it in that time.  Still cranks first pull and cuts like a hot knife through butter.  For close to the same price of a poulan you get double the power and longevity and man it's more comfortable to use.