Two Invaluable Resources on Chainsaws

You won’t find many quality books on chainsaws at your bookstore — which somewhat surprised me because chainsaws have such a rich history and are so prominent in our lives, or at least any do-it-yourself homeowner. They are one of those rare products that require a certain degree of knowledge and know-how in order to to be used safely and effectively. Luckily, I have discovered two excellent books that cover different aspects of chainsaws that I feel will interest our readers. The books are:

Without question, if you own a chainsaw or even have the faintest interest in chainsaw history you would be wise to consider adding these books to your collection. Now, on to the reviews.

Chainsaws: A History by David lee | Book Review

Chainsaws: A History by David Lee and a sample page.

There’s an allure about chainsaws that you just won’t find with other power tools. I dare you to find a historical book on leaf blowers, or hedge trimmers or lawn mowers. You won’t find them, because they don’t exist. Chainsaws have a seduction of their own; akin to the automobile. You’ll notice a similar relationship with chainsaw and car enthusiasts. It’s more than just a tool for productivity or a mode of transportation. It burrows its way into the psyche; transcending its original purpose, becoming an object of desire that collectors adore and feel a sense of pride about owning.

Chainsaws: A History is a fantastic book by David Lee that covers the rich past of the chainsaw from its humble beginnings in 1897 when “An Oregon Inventor patented a design for a ‘sawing chain and frame,” but was never manufactured. This book is beautiful in execution and design; filled with excellent photographs on glossy pages making it a perfect companion to your coffee table book collection.

The author writes with authority and keeps the information interesting by his storytelling abilities. I’m impressed by the depth of information provided in this book, as well as the rich photographs that seem to pop from every page. The author must have spent a lot of time tracking down these photos. Clearly this book was project born out of his passion for the history of chainsaws.

The sections of the book are as follows:

Introduction
The Early Years
Germany Takes The Lead
World War II and Its Effects
Emerging from War
The Industry Expands
The Twenty-First Century
Chainsaw History: A Timeline
Collectors Corner

Embedded within the book is historical information about every significant manufacturer of chainsaws within the relevant chapters that I’ve outlined above. These manufacturers include: STIHL, Husqvarna, Titan, Danarm, McCulloch, Lombard, Remington, Comet, Solo, Dolmar, Jo-Bu — and so many more. Trust me — it’s comprehensive.

Magnificent photos accompanied by the rich history of chainsaws makes for a wonderful book.

If you’re a chainsaw enthusiast, or just a casual chainsaw owner with a slight interest in knowing more about the historical context of chainsaws then you’ll absolutely love this book. It’s beautiful just to look at and fascinating to read. To be honest, if you buy it for the pictures alone it would be money well spent, but reading it will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the chainsaw in your home.

If you know someone who has an interest in chainsaws, you might want to seriously consider buying this as gift for a birthday or Christmas. Not only would it be a unique present but also an educational one — perfect for someone who spends a lot of time with their chainsaw.

Homeowners Complete Guide to the Chainsaw | Book Review

Everything you need to know about safety and clear instructions on how to tackle any project.

It’s no secret that chainsaws are a dangerous tool, in fact, the most dangerous home power tool you can buy. You don’t need a license to operate one but most people don’t know the proper safety procedures when starting their projects and thus they’re vulnerable to injuring themselves. The key to preventing injury is knowledge and this book by Brian J. Ruth and Jen W. Ruth is an excellent resource for any homeowner. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying, if you own a chainsaw you owe it to yourself to buy this book.

the Homeowners Complete Guide to the Chainsaw covers everything you would want to know about chainsaws; providing you with many tips, techniques and insights to ensure you accomplish your tasks without injury.

Do you want to know:

how to prevent kickback?
How to use a wedge?
How to fell a tree?
How to maintain your chainsaw?
The difference between a scarf cut and a felling cut?
How to assemble your chainsaw?

Well, it’s all in there, and so much more. Here’s a list of the different sections of the book:

Safety
Buying a Chainsaw
At the Store: A shopping List
Getting Started: Step-by-Step
Projects
- Cutting Firewood (Bucking)
- Making and Using a Sawbuck
- Splitting and Stacking Firewood
- Trimming Overhead Branches
- Trimming a Hedge
- Felling a Small Tree
- Felling a Large Tree with Wedges
- Limbing a Downed tree
- Felling and Limbing a Tree Near a House
- Cutting Down a Stump
- Milling Lumber from Logs
- When to Bring in a Professional
Maintenance, Service and Sharpening

Excellent how-to articles with step-by-step instructions.

This book is filled with large detailed pictures on glossy paper, accompanied by clear and concise how-to instructions throughout the book. It’s the perfect book to have nearby as you’re working and the type of book that you can pick-up and read before you’re about to embark on your next project.

Well, there you have it. Two fantastic books to consider for either yourself or as a unique gift. Whether you’re interested in chainsaw history or you want to learn the nuts and bolts about chainsaws, there’s something here for you. Chainsaws are not your typical power tool. They require preparation, maintenance and safety equipment to ensure that you accomplish your projects without causing yourself injury. Our goal here is to provide you knowledge so you can make smarter choices.

We have plenty of resources here at Chainsaw Journal to help you be safe and help you find the right chainsaw for your needs. Here are some articles to get you started if you’re new to our site.