Chainsaw??

[tx2sturgis]

Another vote for a sawzall (reciprocating saw) either electric or cordless, and a half dozen pruning blades. I have cut entire large trees down to stumps using those. I cut several cords of firewood over the last few seasons, using nothing but the sawzalls and of course a splitting maul and wedge. The blades are cheap, maintenance is almost nill (unlike a chainsaw) and no fuel or oil ever needed. Blade changes take literally less than 20 seconds. Poof, instant new sharp blade!

Plus, unlike the chainsaw that will have you cussing sooner or later, the sawzall is really handy for many other jobs, with the right blades...cutting metal bars, angle iron, or pipe, cutting plywood, 2x4s, etc. (yes I know you can cut a 2x4 with a chainsaw, but rarely worth the trouble to dig out a chainsaw and get it fueled and started, just to cut a few 2x4s) 

You wont be 'felling' any california redwoods with a sawzall...not that any of you would try that with your 12 inch chainsaw anyway....

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hot tip . . . Milwaukee makes a special pruning blade that is Fleam ground . . .
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Accessories/Cutting/SAWZALL-Blades/SAWZALL-Pruning-Blades

Thank you, Mr. Ranger 

I'll have to look into getting one of those.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H5DV0/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_1_dp

 

[Matlock]

Ditto on the Ryobi reciprocating saw w/assorted blades. Same battery for drill and impact driver.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Just a few of dozens of jobs I've tackled with a mid-priced Hitachi reciprocating saw with a pruning blade or two...I also have a Ryobi cordless saw for lighter jobs or quick pruning. All of the cuts you see were done with the Hitachi and a few pruning blades.

Of course the plug-in tool requires 120v, but if you already carry a genset of a decent size, it will power one of these saws with no problem. 

 

[RvNaut]

This has been a very good thread.... many good observations, from experience...

I also happen to own a reciprocating saw.

Anyone want to buy a used chainsaw?

 

[NctryBen]

For over forty years I did back country canoe trips. In most wilderness areas chainsaws were not an option. An old guy just north of me developed a pretty cool folding saw. Recently some young guys up in Canada I believe developed a better folding saw off of Bob’s. With the aggressive blade it is the best folding saw I’ve ever seen. Something like awgua canyon. I’ll bring a chainsaw as far as to my kids if they happen to have trees to cut down or whatever. But I couldn’t believe I’d never need one in the desert. I’ve cut and burned about 8 cords a year here. No more... good old propane and building into a hill. Come holidays I’ll be gone to kids and then to Arizona. But back home for maple syrup cooking. That’s where the chainsaw is indispensable.

 

[IGBT]

We carry a EGO battery operated 16" bar chainsaw when we ride snowmobiles and dang if that thing isn't useful!  It can do at least 50 or 60 cuts on a 12" tree and has been almost a life saver on trails.   I would carry it in a vehicle if in the back country.   No gas fumes or hard starting, just pull the trigger and cut.