Looking for my first chainsaw: Stihl MS251 or Jonsered 2255?

[smurphync]

Ive got a big Still and a small Husky. The big Stihl is a great saw and I've cut tons of wood with it but I have to say that little Husky is a cutting son of gun too. Don't know a lot about the Jonsered saws but I've heard they are a little temperamental. Whatever you do don't buy a Poulan. I had one and after one season I ended our relationship and bought the little Husky!

 

[s219]

If the Jonsered is sold at TSC, then it's not one of the good models and is basically a rebadged low-end Husky/Poulan.

The 251 isn't a great saw either (it's a consumer model Stihl) but I'd take it over any saw sold at TSC. Many homeowners run 250/251 Stihls and love them.

If you do have plans for land clearing in the future, I'd say step up to a better saw. The Stihl 261 would be the closest pro saw to the 251, and is miles better. There are also pro grade Jonsereds, but you'll need to find a full-line Jonsered dealer to buy one.

Echo makes a very good saw too, and they are slightly better than the consumer model Stihls in my opinion. Home Depot sells smaller Echos in-store (up to 40cc). You'd need to track down an Echo dealer for the bigger models.

 

[s219]

Ive got a big Still and a small Husky. The big Stihl is a great saw and I've cut tons of wood with it but I have to say that little Husky is a cutting son of gun too. Don't know a lot about the Jonsered saws but I've heard they are a little temperamental. Whatever you do don't buy a Poulan. I had one and after one season I ended our relationship and bought the little Husky!

Husky and Poulan (and Jonsered) are part of the same big company now, and many of the low end saws are re-badged models. So unless you spend big bucks on the Husky (i.e., and XP model) it may be no different than a Poulan!!

 

[Sevin]

If the Jonsered is sold at TSC, then it's not one of the good models and is basically a rebadged low-end Husky/Poulan.

I was under the impression that the Jonsered 2255 is just a red Husky Rancher 455, which is highly regarded. Is my info wrong?

 

[s219]

I was under the impression that the Jonsered 2255 is just a red Husky Rancher 455, which is highly regarded. Is my info wrong?

Correct on the first part, highly debatable on the second!

 

[murphy1244]

Correct on the first part, highly debatable on the second!

Ouch!

 

[stuckmotor]

Who's going to provide parts and service for the TSC saw?

 

[sixdogs]

I am nearly certain that Husqvarna and Jonsered are the same saw and made in the same place but with slightly different badging. These saws used to be king of the woods and a serious woodcutter would own a Husky and swear by it. Things have changed and the reputations seem to be gone and Stihl now seems to be the most popular with maybe Dolmar tossed in. Search it on the net.

 

[s219]

Husky still makes good saws, but most are in their XP lineup. Several of the XP models are better than their Stihl counterparts in terms of power/weight.

 

[motownbrowne]

Husky still makes good saws, but most are in their XP lineup. Several of the XP models are better than their Stihl counterparts in terms of power/weight.

It's really the same with any if them. The homeowner models work fine for most people, probably for 10 years with good gas and occasional use. You don't get into the great quality until you look at the professional lineup. If you want a husky, buy an xp. If you want a still, buy a pro model. Around here, $300 buys a nice looking ms260. If rather have that than a 251, or even a 261. Probably would have bought one if I hadnt gotten my 50cc shindaiwa for a song and a dance.