Hot Saw

This event is often the crowd's favourite,^[1] and certainly the loudest. Compared to other logging sports using an axe or manual saw, this event uses a motor-powered chainsaw. However, to stick to the traditional ethos, the chainsaw must be either completely homemade or self-modified in some way, within certain restrictions; one required modification is for the competitor to add a super engine. The chainsaws are large and methanol-run. The saws used by top competitors are typically snowmobile or watercraft engines cut in half, and are far heavier than regular chainsaws.^[2] The event has been described as "[m]ore of an engineering challenge than a day-of competition" because of this.^[3] In it, competitors will cut cookies — circular disks from logs — of certain specifications as quickly as they can. Competitors view it as the hardest event, but also a favourite.^[2] Before beginning the cut, they are usually allowed to warm up their saws in what is called the "pit row", often with mechanics.^[4]

The tools used for the event have been called the "most ridiculous modified chainsaw[s]",^[3] and are known to walk the line between performance and failure due to their homemade nature.^[1][4] However, as many as 99% of professional competitors don't build their own hot saw, instead buying them from specialist engineers, with 80% of saws on the American circuit built by Russ Lemke; Lemke's saws match reliability with power and have been called "the Stradivarius of its ilk" by Stihl. Several are also built and sold by event record-holder Matt Bush, who is also a talented saw-builder. Bush ran his saw at 404cc, about the highest that has been managed.^[1]

The total cost of each hot saw is about $10,000 but can last for decades, with requirements in the event rarely changing. Lemke also recommends constant maintenance of the saws, but also talks about how saw-building is just as exciting as the event itself.^[1]