Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Chainsaw, stihl or Husqvarna?

Looking for a smaller gas powered chainsaw. Maybe an 18" bar no bigger than 20". I've narrowed it down to Stihl or Husqvarna. What brand would you choose and what model.

I'm looking to spend less than $500 and won't be using it too much. Just to take camping and cut camp firewood and clear trees out of the road. Something that won't take up too much room in the back of the truck but something reliable.

Local store has both 10% off tonight.

Thanks,
Bb

Husqvarna.

I like my Makita/Dolmar a lot as well.

MadMooner;
Good morning to you sir, I hope that the day's looking bright and clear in your part of the world and all that matter are well.

While I've related this previously, I'll quickly repeat it as I'm half ways out the door.

Our eldest worked for the local saw shop a couple years back and when I needed a smaller limbing saw, she said they absolutely would not sell me a consumer line small Husky.

Way too many problems and now that they're in the Canadian Tire and Home Depot market are on a Poulan sort of level of quality, which is to say disposable if they malfunction.

So it was that they sold me my very first Stihl, an MS 170.

Anyways, many roads to Mecca and all that sir, but that's what the shop she worked at said and did.

All the best to you all this winter as we head into the Christmas Season.

Dwayne

Dealer support/Dealer support/Dealer support.

I have several stihl and 1 husky , I hate the hassle of trying to get parts for stihl
but like the way they run. The husky ran great for a few months then not so ....
I would say both are good saws and would choose based on best available service.

Get one of each, ya got two hands don't ya.

.

I have both. I think the stihl is better quality.

Im looking for the same type of truck saw and probably go to an electric for these type of duties.

Just fix this to replace my 40 yo Stihl 031AV, which is/was just an amazing saw.

Talked to my local dealer, the man of Stihl, bearhuntr here.

Bought an MS250. A bit hard to start with high compression, but is a beast when cutting, but not in weight. Purchased on last day of their fall sale last week.

Amazon has carbs and parts for most chainsaws, I was surprised looking for carb rebuild kit for my Sthil 041 Farm boss and Amazon had a new carb for less than the rebuild kit.

Stihl, all the way, and the 017 is a dandy!

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^

Burly,

I had time on two small pro saws.
To be honest, my friends small homeowner stihl was good to go for twenty years of firewood.

My pro model Stihl was a serious lemon. I read that many were that same year because the engineers were rushed to meet California emissions. It cost me thousands of dollars in a couple of lost jobs.

I replaced it with a pro Husky and am still a Happy Camper. It usually starts on the second pull. Its bigger and more $ than you need to spend, but I have not heard too much bad from either brand.
My friend likes a commercial grade electric saw now better than his little stihl. I forget what brand, but others here will recommend.

Generally a 20" barred chainsaw is considered pretty big, unless you're talking professional. I don't see much difference between the two brands. Dolmar is rumored to be on the way out. Now branded "Makita" since that brand has owned them since the 90's, supposedly Makita is getting out of the gasoline-powered saw business.

Jonesred is another brand to consider. Sold by Menard's, if y'all have got any of those stores up in Idaho.

PS: It's important that whatever you get, don't let the gas set in the tank over winter. Use fresh for every fill up. The "Offroad" non Ethel gas is the one to find.

But then, not to get anyone's feeling hurt.

I have both. I have an 026 pro, 034 super, husky 51 and a echo 3000.

For small saws, I appreciate the echo. Its quiet and pretty good power.

Stihl runs less rpm than husky with more torque, husky works the horsepower end....both are loud and powerful.

Every one of them are in good tune and cut well. I do end up with the echo in my hands on anything under a 18-20" cut.

I've got a Stihl 026 and can't imagine a 'better' saw for my needs.

Starts every single time. So reliable.

Stihl pro series 261 is what I opted for this year

Ran a echo timber wolf cs 690 this week at deer camp that was impressive, and not expensive at all I would have bought it over the stihl knowing what I know now as I am not a daily user

Logger that recently worked on our place said the newer and large husqvarna saws are having lots of issues burning up top ends because of the fuel injection. He has been using stihl due to this and older husky saws. Said he typically prefers husqvarna though

Stihl or Husqvarna has has been mentioned dealer support is very important. Both are very good brand pick the correct model whichever brand you choose. Dolmar / Makita is no more at this time gas company Makita has been sold or dissolved.

bought an echo a couple of months ago, actually using it today. easy to start and works great.