Free a pinched bar by cutting a wedge into the log from above.

Stop the saw immediately. Then cut a relief notch into the top of the log, right over where the bar is stuck. This releases the tension and lets you pull the bar out. If you don’t have a second saw, drive a plastic wedge into the kerf to spread the cut.

Most pinches happen because you didn’t think about which side of the log is under compression. When you cut a log supported on both ends, the top is in tension and the bottom is in compression — so it pinches from the bottom. Cut from the top (tension side) first, then finish from the bottom. Use