Follow the directions and practice on lower limbs.It’s okay one you get used to it.REALLY ENJOYED USING THIS HOWEVER, WHEN PULLING FULL FORCE, THE ROPE USED ON THE HANDLE PIECES THAT ARE THEN ATTACHED TO THE LONGER TETHER ROPE, IT BROKE OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO BE RE-ATTACHED. AT SOME POINT, AFTER MORE USE OF THE ITEM, I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO HAVE TO FULLY REPLACE THE ROPE AS IT IS NOT DURABLE. WHEN THE ROPE BROKE OFF, DOWN I WENT SINCE I WAS PULLING AS PART OF A 2 MAN SAWING TEAM, SO THAT WAS NOT VERY FUN.First couple branches had problems with snagging and getting caught. I then added an abundance of chainsaw chain oil and with a little practice it cut through Maple like butter. Great productOn very large branches/trunks I cut only half way. I then pull it down with a very long rope from a tractor. I don’t know how it does with 10”+ dia branches/trunks by itself.Super easy to use. The case was an awesome bonus.Use to cut high thick limbs. Blade did well. Wore through one rope though. Rope knots in the handles pulled through a couple times, modified the knots problem resolved. All-in-all a good buy.Cut a few smaller limbs to try it out. The saw worked well but one of the handles messed up. The knotted rope pulled through. If you buy one of these I would suggest pushing the two ends back through the handle to expose the knots then tie them together with and overhand knot. You can shove them back in place after doing so and it fill fit nicely in the handle. After that I have had no more problems.The rope saw was incredibly easy to use. The hardest part for me was getting the rope over the branches. I just don't have the movement in my shoulder like I used to.The first time I used the saw I pinched the chain and it got twisted. Using the QR code on the box I contacted the company cand within an hour had confirmation of them sending me a whole new kit. Highly recommend.I needed this item to top out a tree in my back yard that was storm damaged. Once I got the hang of slinging a rubber dog toy it wasn't hard to get the line where I needed it to go. I did purchase different line, I used the line that you use for laying out sidewalks and other construction jobs, strong but light nylon line. the saw itself cut like a beast, but with just one person as the cut diameter got smaller as I was going through the trunk/branches the chain would bind up. With 2 people you can spread out and cause less binding. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! PS: The little "handles" are worthless, broke within 2-3 pulls, use the nylon wrist straps and just throw the handles in the trash.Excelente producto, lleno mis expectativas. No pude haber encontrado algo mejor.I’d buy another one! Friends were impressed that it worked so well.