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Chainsaw Strops & Arborist Tool Strops Buyer's Guide
A chainsaw strop — also called a chainsaw lanyard or tool strop — is a legal requirement under PUWER when using a chainsaw at height. This guide covers REECOIL elasticated strops, fixed vs elasticated designs, hand tool strops, swivel connections and correct attachment — helping arborists choose and fit the right strop for every tool used in the canopy.
What is a Chainsaw Strop?
A chainsaw strop - also called a chainsaw lanyard or tool strop - is a tether that connects a top-handle chainsaw to the arborist's saddle or harness when working at height, preventing the saw from falling if dropped during aerial operations. Strops are a legal requirement under PUWER when using a chainsaw at height where a dropped saw would create a hazard below. They are short tethers - typically 0.5m to 1.2m - attached to a dedicated tool attachment point on the saddle and to the chainsaw handle via the bar nose or a manufacturer-approved attachment.
REECOIL Chainsaw Strops
REECOIL is the leading brand for professional chainsaw tool strops in the UK arborist market. REECOIL strops use a coiled elasticated design that extends under load and retracts when not under tension, reducing swing and drag during canopy movement. The elastic construction also acts as a shock absorber if the saw is dropped suddenly, reducing the load on both the saddle attachment point and the saw handle. REECOIL chainsaw strops are available at Gustharts in multiple weight ratings for different chainsaw sizes.
Fixed vs Elasticated Chainsaw Strops
Fixed-length strops are simple, light and reliable - a loop of webbing or rope with a fixed length carabiner connection. They are lower cost and easier to inspect. Elasticated strops (like REECOIL) absorb shock loads and retract out of the way when not in use, reducing the risk of the strop tangling in the climbing system during movement. For professional arborists doing high-frequency aerial work with a chainsaw, an elasticated strop significantly reduces the nuisance factor of managing the tool connection during climbing.
Tool Strops for Hand Tools
Tool strops are not just for chainsaws - handsaws, loppers, secateurs, mallets and any hand tool used at height should be tethered to prevent dropped-object incidents. Lightweight tool strops and equipment tethers are available in short lengths for smaller tools - typically 300-500mm with a lower weight rating than chainsaw strops. STEIN and Notch produce hand tool strops at Gustharts suited to the lighter weight loads generated by handsaws, pruning tools and equipment used during aerial pruning and canopy work.
Swivel Strops and Anti-Twist Designs
A swivel strop incorporates a rotating connector between the tool attachment and the saddle connection, allowing the saw to rotate freely without twisting the strop. This is particularly useful for top-handle chainsaws during limbing and positioning operations where the saw changes direction frequently. Swivel-based tool strops reduce the risk of the strop kinking or developing a twist that could cause sudden release or unexpected saw movement during aerial work.
Attaching a Chainsaw Strop Correctly
1. Attach the strop carabiner or connector to a dedicated tool loop on the arborist saddle - never to a climbing carabiner or load-bearing connection point. 2. Attach the tool end of the strop to the manufacturer-approved attachment point on the chainsaw - typically the bar nose slot, a handle loop or a purpose-built strop eye on the saw body. 3. Check the strop length allows the saw to be safely stowed without tangling in the climbing system. 4. Inspect the strop before each use for cuts, abrasion, connector damage and elastication failure.
Chainsaw Strop Weight Ratings and Certification
Chainsaw strops must be rated to at least the weight of the heaviest saw they will be used with - typically 3kg to 8kg for professional top-handle chainsaws. A strop rated below the saw weight is a safety risk under PUWER and could fail on drop. Most professional chainsaw strops are rated to 10-15kg to provide an adequate safety margin. The strop should carry a CE marking or EN 354 certification as a connecting lanyard. Never use a non-certified strop or a general-purpose tether as a chainsaw strop at height.
Pairs Well With
- Lanyards & Fliplines — chainsaw lanyards and work positioning lanyards
- Climbing Harness Accessories — saddles with dedicated tool attachment loops
- Chainsaws — STIHL top-handle models for aerial arborist work
- Pruning Tools — folding handsaws, loppers and secateurs for canopy work
- Tree Climbing Kits — complete SRT and DRT starter systems