Competition axe, Single Buck, Hot Saw and Chainsaw: competition power tools for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® generally include custom saws and axes which are made and used exclusively for competitions. The only exception is Stock Saw, which is a standard, unmodified STIHL MS 661 chainsaw.
The right competition axe
Axes used in the events are specially developed competition axes which are not designed for normal use. The axes are made from special steel, sharpened by hand and are so sharp that you could theoretically shave with one! One of these axes weighs 2.5-3kg. These axes start at a price of €500 - €600. Most athletes own a number of axes, because not every axe is suitable for every type of competition wood. During a competition, they generally take two axes onto the stage so that they always have a spare available.
Sawing with up to 80 HP
The Hot Saw discipline uses the heaviest and loudest competition power tool used at events. Hot Saw uses specially tuned chainsaws with single-cylinder two-stroke engines with up to 80 HP, which are often taken from snowmobiles or high-performance motorbikes. The basic cost of a Hot Saw tool starts at €7,500. The extreme tuned chainsaws can weigh up to 30 kg and have a chain speed of around 240km/h, making them very difficult to control.
The saw chains of the Hot Saws have a special significance: Jörg Bläsi from STIHL Technical Service says that the chains are just as important for the sport as tyres for Formula 1. This is because the chains ensure that all of the engine power is converted into cutting power.
Keeping the saw steady is the key to success – in the Hot Saw discipline, three complete discs must be cut from a 15 cm wide section of a wooden block in seconds.
Single Buck hand saw
The custom-made hand saws used in the Single Buck discipline are single pit saws and, with their two metre length, are not suitable for normal use. They are only used for competitive sports. To manufacture these five kilogram saws, the metal is first cut using laser technology, then the ten centimetre teeth are manually sharpened. The basic investment required to buy just one of these saws comes to around €2,000.
Stock Saw - STIHL MS 661 chainsaw
The STIHL MS 661 chainsaw is a series production power tool. The chainsaw has fully electronic engine management, as the M-Tronic controls the ignition timing and fuel metering automatically and precisely in every operating condition. The MS 661 also offers high torque over a wide engine speed range. Delivering 7.3 HP with a cubic capacity of 91.1 cm³, it weighs in at around 7.4 kg. This power tool is used in the Stock Saw discipline. The fully electronic engine management of the MS 661 ensures that all athletes have the same competition conditions.
Springboard
The approx. 1.7 metre long 'springboards’ are required for the discipline of the same name and are usually made of spruce or beech. The discipline’s name comes from the up-and-down motion of the anchored board as athletes stand on it, with the objective of cutting through a log with an axe at a height of 2.8 m. But first athletes must use the axe to create anchor points for their boards – known as “pockets” – in the upright trunk; they must be securely fitted into these so the athlete can climb up to the necessary height.
