Husqvarna vs. Stihl

[DieselnHooters]

No first hand experience with the newer models but I own older saw of both brands_ Husky 357XP ans Stihl 034_they are similar pro-saws in the 55-60cc range, the Husky is 15 years old , the Stihl 20. Both still work perfectly, start easily. 18'' bars are a great match on those...like them both equally.


The last 2 saws I bought new were Echo, a 48cc and a 75cc, they dont rev up as much, not quite as productive as Husky or Stihl pro grades but less $$$, best bang for your buck IMO

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have nothing but good things to say about my "Jonny",

Load after load!

This firewood is heating my house as I type this,

SR

 

[om21braz]

I have had both, now all Stihl. Husky probably has an edge running wide open, but Stihl has better low end when trying to ease thru a piece. IMHO, which ever saw you choose - I would definitely put a Stihl chain on it. That has been my experience, YMMV.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Better than an Oregon chain? Why? All the dealers only seem to carry Oregon chain.

 

[Mike Madison]

I used Stihl for years--had about 8 saws up to 32 inch bar. Then I got a lemon and the dealer wouldn't honor the warranty. End of Stihl for me. I switched to Echo, which I love. Easy to start, run strong. I now have 5 Echo saws. I bought a cheap Husqvarna one time, and it was just that, a cheap tool. I had to remove the brake to get it to run. I'm sure their premium saws are okay.

 

[ning]

I have an ancient Stihl 031 (mom bought it new in '74 or '75) and a recent Echo CS590. The Stihl actually starts more easily than the Echo.

Oh, we've also got an Echo CS305 which has an atrociously-placed air intake... I'm probably going to replace that with a battery powered unit when I find a good one (hopefully something that uses the 80v battery on the blower my wife just got...).

 

[goeduck]

I have reluctantly thrown away all my Stihl carry cases as I find it better for oil leakage if the saws are stored sitting on their side. Aside from the waste, it's a pain that you always need to refill the oil prior to use, and then I almost always over fill it, making more mess and wasting even more oil.

Have you tried replacing the oil cap O Ring? Or the entire cap. I was sitting one of my saws on the side like that but would often forget and have a puddle the next day. Got tired of that and replaced the cap (or O ring, I cannot recall).

As to the brand, I have 4 Stihls and like them. Many satisfied owners out there of Huskys, Johnnie, Echo.... lots of choices.

 

[goeduck]

Better than an Oregon chain? Why? All the dealers only seem to carry Oregon chain.

Stihl saw chain has better metal composition.

 

[oosik]

I cut firewood here for 15 years before switching over to electric. I had both brands - both worked well - I prefer Stihl. One definite item - the chains on the Stihl saws required sharpening less often than the Husk. I still have gobs of Mt St Helens ash in the bark of my ancient Ponderosa pines. It does raise Holy @#$% with a chain saw chain. I still have a large and small Stihl saw.

 

[lpigott]

Both are good, just make sure you compare apples to apples, i.e. pro grade saws to pro grade and farm and ranch to farm and ranch and homeowner to homeowner along with CC to CC in each. I have several Husky pro saws and Echo top handles but Stihl makes great saws too. My pole saw and clearing saw are both Stihls as is my BP blower. Keep good fuel in any of them and take care of them and they all will take care of you. Consider your nearest servicing dealer and how good they are more than anything.