Back in 2005 there was a lonnnngggg thread about chainsaws: the good,
the bad, and the ugly. I don't want to re-do that thread, just update
it a bit. Specifically, has anybody recently _changed_ their opinion of
Stihl or Husqvarna? And since the opinions back then were generally
good, I guess that I mean does anybody feel that Hus* or Stihl has gone
downhill recently?

Although, back then there was some thought that Stihls vibrated too
much. Any knowledge of that being fixed?

Thanks,
Bob

On 2/29/2012 7:29 PM, Bob Engelhardt wrote:
Back in 2005 there was a lonnnngggg thread about chainsaws: the good,
the bad, and the ugly. I don't want to re-do that thread, just update it
a bit. Specifically, has anybody recently _changed_ their opinion of
Stihl or Husqvarna? And since the opinions back then were generally
good, I guess that I mean does anybody feel that Hus* or Stihl has gone
downhill recently?

Although, back then there was some thought that Stihls vibrated too
much. Any knowledge of that being fixed?

Thanks,
Bob


I grew up on Stihl. I did firewood as a business from the age of 14 for
about 9 or 10 years. Alot of black, manitoba, sugar maple, alot of
basswood and popular and alot of iron wood. Rocky limestone fencelines
were my favourite but would **** of my dad something fierce beacuse he
always sharpened the chains for me.


Alot of the people in my area had Husqys. They outnumbered the Stihl
owners about 2 to 1 if i recall correctly. Nowadays when I go back to
my hometown area I see more Stihl used by heavy users. Stihl dealers
just treated their customers really good. Some of the Husqy owners have
switched to Johnserd. Stihls seem to be more exspensive than Husqys
nowadays but the Stihl buyers liked Sthil for two reasons: Small
dealers that pay attention and fix their equipment quickly (I can attest
to that) and the fact that Stihl have a precieved better quality because
they are not in Big Box stores.

Just seems that in my old rural area Stihl picked up business despite
having higher prices. And that same rural economy has been depressed
since I left. That doesn't mean that Stihl dealers are better in your
area that all others, it's just what I noticed in my own little corner
of the world.

Most level headed people will say either brand is good...

On Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:29:29 -0500, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

Back in 2005 there was a lonnnngggg thread about chainsaws: the good,
the bad, and the ugly. I don't want to re-do that thread, just update
it a bit. Specifically, has anybody recently _changed_ their opinion of
Stihl or Husqvarna? And since the opinions back then were generally
good, I guess that I mean does anybody feel that Hus* or Stihl has gone
downhill recently?

Although, back then there was some thought that Stihls vibrated too
much. Any knowledge of that being fixed?

Thanks,
Bob

Stihl is still a good saw, but they sell an MS xxx line that's foriegn
built home owner quality. Not as good as the Pro qulity stuff of just
a couple years ago. I know my son scored an 036 rebuilt off eBay for a
great price. Its just like my 036 that he grew up on. The MS 036 loosk
the same at first glance. But then take it down some and you can see
how they cut costs and corners.

I'm lucky, my 009 and 036 should stihl (pun) be in great shape for my
estate auction.

Karl

In article ,
says...

Back in 2005 there was a lonnnngggg thread about chainsaws: the good,
the bad, and the ugly. I don't want to re-do that thread, just update
it a bit. Specifically, has anybody recently _changed_ their opinion of
Stihl or Husqvarna? And since the opinions back then were generally
good, I guess that I mean does anybody feel that Hus* or Stihl has gone
downhill recently?

Although, back then there was some thought that Stihls vibrated too
much. Any knowledge of that being fixed?

Thanks,
Bob

As a logger for 40 years I've used both. They both make contractor
grade saws. Both good saws, I have a slight preference for Husqvarna,
but I'll buy whichever is having a special at the time. I haven't looked
at any other brands in years, so I know nothing about them.

"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
Back in 2005 there was a lonnnngggg thread about chainsaws: the
good, the bad, and the ugly. I don't want to re-do that thread,
just update it a bit. Specifically, has anybody recently _changed_
their opinion of Stihl or Husqvarna? And since the opinions back
then were generally good, I guess that I mean does anybody feel that
Hus* or Stihl has gone downhill recently?

Although, back then there was some thought that Stihls vibrated too
much. Any knowledge of that being fixed?

Thanks,
Bob

The Stihl MS211 whose bar stud loosened was a recent purchase.

jsw

"Yooper" wrote

As a logger for 40 years I've used both. They both make contractor
grade saws. Both good saws, I have a slight preference for Husqvarna,
but I'll buy whichever is having a special at the time. I haven't looked
at any other brands in years, so I know nothing about them.

IF!
you are going to buy a chainsaw and use it more than twice a year, and want
one that will start (provided you put it away correctly, dummy), there are
only three. Stihl, and a tie for Husqvarna and Jonserand. I would opt for
Stihl on quality, Husquvarna for value, and Jonserand for a quality piece of
merchandise, but questionable about parts or service, unless living in
Europe.

It all comes down to your use. For anyone using a chainsaw to cut more than
five cords of wood a year, it will make a difference. For the occasional
user for arborist work, or pruning, any old thing will be okay if you want
to mess with it nearly every time you go to use it.

YMMV, and all that.

Steve

In article , says...
Stihl, and a tie for Husqvarna and Jonserand. I would opt for
Stihl on quality, Husquvarna for value, and Jonserand for a quality piece of
merchandise, but questionable about parts or service, unless living in
Europe.
Steve


You must mean Jonsered. Anyway, there is no tie between Jonsered and
Husqvarna. Jonsered is a limbing saw, none of their models will take a
30" bar. I have used a Jonsered, I think it was a 2172? Their biggest
saw, anyway. It would not pull a 24" bar with any authority.
Both Husky and Stihl will. Remember, these are contractor grade saws,
not homeowners.

"Yooper" wrote in message
.. .
In article , says...
Stihl, and a tie for Husqvarna and Jonserand. I would opt for
Stihl on quality, Husquvarna for value, and Jonserand for a quality piece
of
merchandise, but questionable about parts or service, unless living in
Europe.
Steve


You must mean Jonsered.

And I can see that you figured it out. It is not that common of a name, you
must admit.


Anyway, there is no tie between Jonsered and
Husqvarna. Jonsered is a limbing saw, none of their models will take a
30" bar. I have used a Jonsered, I think it was a 2172? Their biggest
saw, anyway. It would not pull a 24" bar with any authority.
Both Husky and Stihl will. Remember, these are contractor grade saws,
not homeowners.

I stand corrected, and thank you for giving me more knowledge.

Steve

Yooper wrote:
In article , says...
Stihl, and a tie for Husqvarna and Jonserand. I would opt for
Stihl on quality, Husquvarna for value, and Jonserand for a quality piece of
merchandise, but questionable about parts or service, unless living in
Europe.
Steve


You must mean Jonsered. Anyway, there is no tie between Jonsered and
Husqvarna. Jonsered is a limbing saw, none of their models will take a
30" bar. I have used a Jonsered, I think it was a 2172? Their biggest
saw, anyway. It would not pull a 24" bar with any authority.
Both Husky and Stihl will. Remember, these are contractor grade saws,
not homeowners.


Husqvarna owns Jonsered saws. They have for almost 10 years. These are
the current brands the Husky group owns.
Husqvarna, Gardena, McCulloch, Diamant Boart, Klippo, Flymo, Zenoah,
Bluebird, Jonsered, Poulan Pro, Weed Eater
Dixon ZTR


Most of the companies make 2 or three lines of saw for various markets.
They make the homeowner lines for folks who cut down small brush, limb a
tree now and then and maybe cut up a downed tree,
Usually these will have plastic parts all over them, VERY light weight
for the supposed power and bar sizes as well. They will have automatic
chain brakes, low kickback small pitch chains and unless the chain is
kept VERY sharp they cut like crap.

The next step up are the lower end pro style saws. These are for the guy
who cuts the wood for the home heat and the like.
These will be heavier and better built, may not have a lot of the
automatic items the homeowner types saws have. Generally they will also
cut much better because the bar/engine power is matched better. Usually
a larger chain pitch as well.

Then you have the high end pro saws. These are the ones that are built
out of tough metal with BIG engines and can pull 3 foot bars. You see
these in use on shows like Axe men. They are built for daily use and use
BIG chains with aggressive tooth patterns and cut VERY fast. They are
also not good for folks who don't respect saws because they can kill you
in a heartbeat if they kick back.



--
Steve W.