When I was a lad (the thick end of 40 years ago) our next door neighbour tried to cut himself a second mouth with a chainsaw. It had kicked back and sliced his cheek open...missing his jugular by an inch or so. He staggered to our door with a towel round his head and blood gushing everywhere. He survived the ordeal (now in his late 80s) but ever since then, I've had a bit of a phobia about chainsaws...I'd go for a recip. saw with a selection of blades, as has already been recommended...not just because chainsaws give me the willies but because the recip. is just so versatile.