Chainsaws

[Mahonri]

I grew up using an 18" Stihl. It's a quality product.

We took good care of it and I think my nephew is still using it on the farm.... got it back in the late 70s/early 80s.

 

[yotetrapper]

Wow! 4 pages! He will be using it occasionally, not a lot. Mainly for cutting up logs if we get them for the wood burner, and trimming stuff too. Not really heavy duty use. I'm thinking Husky since its easier for me and no one here said stihl is better than husky. Thanks for all the replies!!

 

[redhead83402]

My husband is a chainsaw carver, and we log our own firewood ~ with that in mind, he uses a Husquvarna, and would never even consider anything else. It cost a little over $700, but it was worth it!!

First consideration: safety ~ Husky's are top quality, you won't have some part wigging out on you in - use.

Second consideration: long term health consequences ~ the anti-vibration & decibel levels are of SUCH higher quality on a good Husky.

third: saw weight ~ too much saw or poorly engineered saw can weigh down your arms. cause safety issues, and tire you out faster. A good Husky is worth it's weight here!

And fourth: Long term quality ~ even if you decide to sell it down the road, a good Husky will retain it's value ~ whereas you couldn't give away a used Poulan.
Here's a pic of my husband using his Husky:
~Red

 

[unionwirewoman]

Hubby bought me my first chainsaw 5 months ago...I was raised around them ...but never used one . Mine's a 455 husky with a 20" bar...gets pretty heavy after 5 hours of running it . I would go Husky...We have an old one (30 years) that his dad gave us and still runs great . If your hubby is just using it occasionally , I'd go with a lighter duty one . We were cutting 3' Ponderosa pine with ours everyday after the freak tornado came through 1 1/2 yrs ago .

ANY chainsaw you get him will leave him hopping around with joy with his new toy at Christmas !

 

[birdsofparadise]

I just had to return a Husky 440 that I bought at Costco. After 90 days, it still ran rough and routinely stalled when cutting horizontally. Plus, it had a ridiculous starting regime, ie. lock the chain with the chain brake, press the pressure relief valve in, set the choke, pump the primer and then pull the starter cord until your arm was ready to fall off. Plus, if it caught at all, the pressure relief and the chain brake released and you had to start all over again.

I used a Stihl 028 for 15 years and NEVER had a problem other than wearing out two chains and a bar from using it so much. Plus, it NEVER needed more than a pull or two to start. As soon as the credit appears on my Amex bill, Iʻm off to buy another Stihl.

Does anyone know if Honda makes a chainsaw? Their 4 stroke engines are great. I have one in a weed-whacker that just wonʻt quit and of course doesnʻt need oil mixed in the gas and it doesnʻt smoke either.

 

[big greg barker]

Go for the Stihl or Husqvarna. You won't be sorry. They ARE worth the extra money. I have a STIHL FARM BOSS 029 that I cut firewood with. It's a great saw. I killed a Poulan in two summers. Same with homelite. Ok for a tree or two, but if you're doing anything more, spend the extra. you won't be disappointed..

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Love this thread. I have been thinking about asking for a chainsaw for Christmas, but did not know what to ask for. I may not know everything, but, at least, I am way more educated than I was 10 minutes ago.

Thanks!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Chainsaw pants or chaps and protective footwear make nice accessories, too.

Nothing says I love you like helping someone keep their body parts attached.

 

[bluey]

Thanks for all the good advice people! I'm in the market for a good saw as well for woodcutting for our woodburner. Once in a while I take a dead tree down. I think I'm going to go with the 45cc 16" Husky! It only weighs about 12 lbs or so which will help keep my lower back going. The problem I have with some saws is their weight. Sometimes I'm cutting for hours.

 

[ChickenTender63]

He will deffinately be happy with the Husky or the Stihl. If the Husky is easier on you purchase wise, then go for it.

Like I said in the beginning, I have run both of 'em and am qite happy with both. It sounds like the one poster didn't have the best of luck with his Husky, but thats still not bad out of 4 pages of reviews.

Go get him th eHusky and have a very Merry Christmas!

ETA: I would add though that if this is just for everyonce in awhile cutting, and he isn't cutting firewood everyday and big logs, I would probly get him one with a 16" bar but has the engine displacement that will easily run an 18" if he needs to go bigger.