Best and worst chainsaw?

[JeepHead]

The Stihl MS261 is quite a bit more expensive than the Echo though, isn't it? I thought about getting the MS261 but couldn't justify the price for doing a couple cord of firewood a year.

Run a Husqvarna 550XP MKII and the Stihl 261 and you won't want the 261.

 

[big bubba]

given the many informative reviews of chain saw makes on this thread, seems to me that reliability & performance is more an issue of choosing upper level pro models than a specific make. given those upper end models within each make, it then becomes a matter of using ethanol free fuel, good spark plug, & clean spark arrestor, etc

been an exclusive Stilh user for 50+ yrs, but have no doubt there are other upper end pro makes that are equal performers, regards

 

[ultrarunner]

Know several foresters in Germany and I thought Stihl and was wrong.

They used only Jonsered back in 2015

Maybe they use Husky now?

 

[crabbinman]

Mine does not get super regular workouts. Husky 455 Rancher, little under 60 cc. Maybe 20 years old and always runs good.

 

[kenhar]

Husqvarna and Jonsred are made by the same company, Electrolux. Also a less known brand Pardner. Was told years ago, the new ideas were used on the Pardner saws to test the market before they were incorporated into the Husqvarna or Jonsred line. If true, good marketing. Husqvarna and Jonsred are both top shelf saws.

 

[Hermio]

I cannot say what the best chainsaw is. And I am sure you have seen that no one else can either. All I can say is my favorite saw I have used is my Stihl MS 500i. It is not too heavy, and it cuts through 18" red oak rounds in 10 seconds pure stock.

 

[1M05]

Husqvarna and Jonsred are made by the same company, Electrolux.

• Jonsered
  A Swedish company that was acquired by Electrolux in 1979, but later became part of the Husqvarna Group when Electrolux separated its outdoor equipment division. Jonsered is known for its chainsaws and other outdoor power equipment.
  
  
  
• Husqvarna
  A company that owns several brands, including Husqvarna, Gardena, McCulloch, PoulanPro, Weed Eater, Flymo, Jonsered, Klippo, Diamant Boart, RedMax, HTC, Blastrac, and Total Diamond Products. Husqvarna has a large manufacturing facility in Nashville, Arkansas that produces chainsaws and trimmers.

 

[kenmbz]

kenmbz-good post but many people have no idea what brand a 620P, or CS490, M18, etc., are...

620P and 490 area Echo and M18 is Milwaukee Battery powered.
I have some Stihl and others too, but not chainsaws.

 

[OzarkChris]

It'd be interesting to see what the folks in logging country, Arkansas and such, see the pro-loggers using.

'Round here it's a mixed bag soft & hard woods with a pretty even split of Stihl & Husky by the smaller guys. The larger guys are obviously using feller bunchers. I see a lot of the tigercat 742's & x822's being used.

 

[OzarkChris]

Shindaiwa.

The Shindaiwa 600SX is an Echo CS620 in a red dress. Not sure about the rest of the line.