Best item to pack when off-roading the wilderness for a couple reasons. It is not only good for gathering firewood and making short work of cutting it but also for clearing the felled trees blocking the road and your adventure.

This chain saw has a cutting blade every link. Every other link cuts in one direction and the remaining cut in the other direction, So with so much cutting surface your technique will determine your effectiveness or your frustration. Cutting in both directions make quick work of your task.

On smaller branches try to use the saw in more of a v shape than a u motion. Meaning it might seem awkward but pull with your palms further apart. The closer together the more purchase and harder the pull. Also glide the chain over the branch. You don't need to pull towards you so much, let the tool do the job. Cutting is not so much pressure and gliding movement over the woods surface.

Trees blocking the roadway are best approached as a team is at all possible. And teamwork is tricky at best too. One person on each side of the tree. Again glide the chain saw don't try to push down into the log. It will cut quicker and easier in both directions of pull with minimal effort.

Finally, lubricate and clean your tool. Lubricate before use to optimize cutting action. Depending on your amount of work you may need to lubricate while cutting. Clean after use removing moisture bearing or attracting wood chips. Then lubricate before packing. Do it while you are putting it away. If you forget you run the risk of rusting out the tool before next use. I pack wd-40 and chain saw oil for this purpose in zip lock storage bags with this chain saw.

Happy trails and enjoy your new chain saw.

Took this thing camping with my brother this weekend. We usually use a folding saw and hatchet to break down the fallen wood at our favorite camp site. This time, I challenged myself to use this and brought no other cutting tools. After cutting through some small limbs from between 1 - 3 inches, I decided to try my luck with a 10 inch log that we'd previously cut pieces from. With my 8" folding saw and hatchet, it'd take at least 4 to 5 minutes to cut through. I was amazed that it took less than 1 minute to cut through the same wood with this chainsaw. We took turns and had enough wood for a 2 night trip in under 15 minutes.

I did find that since it's connected to a person, it doesn't cut perfectly straight through the wood. If you dont keep the same angle it'll wander all over the place and you'll cut twice as long as you have to. I also noticed it had a tendency to hang in the bark of some trees, and about half way through cedar it would snag it up as well. Luckily with cedar, I just had to get the groove started and was able to snap the limbs right off.

As long as the branch or tree I am Cutting is chest height, works like a charm. I have not gotten the hang of positioning it so it doesn't slide if I am cutting from above or below. It is amazing how easy it is to use. I cut A huge crepe Myrtle back in my first use with ease. No arm soreness. Am 39 year old, out of shape woman. With hand saw, I would Have had to take breaks in middle of each branch. No breaks needed. I have loaned it to my neighbor who does yard work for some in the community and she likes it too.

I rarely ever write reviews but felt compelled to give this hand chainsaw a 5-star review. I've used it to cut through various small branches (2 inches in diameter) in under 15 seconds. I've only used it a few times but it feels very well constructed, and it has worked very effectively for my needs. Make sure the chain is absolutely straight when you put your hands through the loops. I'm a 6'1" male with typical-sized hands, and my hands fit through the loops just fine. Oh, the teeth are on one-side of the chain (as with all of them that I've seen), so you need to make sure the tooth-side of the chain is against the tree and work it back and forth slightly to get a groove in the wood before going whole-hog on it. To the seller, thank you for providing this great product!

Made in China ..... However, it has not disappointed me yet. Feels pretty sturdy and was pretty good at cutting dry trees pretty quickly.
**** I take this mountain biking to cut small trees that sometimes have fallen over my revisited biking trails. I don't want to lug a hatchet or chainsaw on a mountain bike ride!
Works great, and fits in your pocket. It's about the size of a wallet, and good for up to about telephone pole size trees..... although, it runs off your own physical stamina..... so your probably not going to build a log cabin or clear some acres with it... lol.

I'm glad I bought this, I've found it quite useful for the occasional tree that blocks my Mountain Biking path. It's small and seems pretty durable.

**** It can bind and get stuck if your a novice user.