Best all-around Chainsaw

[blkhillsvt]

Can anyone shed some light on who makes the "best" all around chainsaw in the market? Referring to everyday cutting of just about any size/make of tree.

[Ianab]

Expect a lot of opinions 

Best all round saw probably doesn't exist, it depends on what your needs are? Some folks never come across trees more than 24" dia, and a nice light 50-60cc saw will be fine.

But if you look at the top line saws from Stihl, Husky, JRed and Dolmar then you will end up with a good machine.

But my Dolmar 7900 may be overkill for many folks, yet it is not enough saw for some of the local trees.(Break out the Husky 3120)

Dealer and parts supply is also an issue, buying the best saw in the world isn't so good if you break something on it and have to wait a week for parts.

Ian

[Gary_C]

Whatever saw that will start when you need it. Second most important thing is a well trained and safe operator. Then a sharp chain is necessary. Other than that any old port in a storm and any color saw will do. 

[beenthere]

blkhillsvt
Of course no one can....but I'd vote for the Stihl MS361.   If for no other reason than I have one. 

But otherwise, just 'cause they seem to be spoken highly of here and on other places I've been.

But dealer support is top of the list for selecting a saw.

Taking good care of any saw will make most saws "good" to own. And don't loan it to anyone else to run. 

[woodmills1]

U R gonna need at least 2 no matter who, where or what ya cut.


My preference  Stihl   get an Ms 280 or so and a 660 and there aren't too many stems or branches you can't tackle

[moonhill]

I use a Stihl 260 and a 360.  I use the 260 far more than the 360, it is peppy and with a crisp chain cuts fast.  The 360 is much heavier and just lacks in the power department, it doesn't wind out like the 260.  It may just be the weight of the saw, I just like the lighter saw.   I use a chain saw for joinery in the shop and everything beyond.  I take both into the woods.

Tim

[thecfarm]

Depends on how much you have to spend too.Some only want to spend $400,some $800.Depends on how much you will use it too.Some just cut firewood,some cut to sell logs,some do all that and cut alot of small stuff too.My saw is used alot.I run a 372xp.But the dealer is the key word here.Need a good dealer,unless you plan on working on them yourself.Just like Dodge,Ford and Chevy,just depends.

[moonhill]

The dealer I deal with doesn't speak kindly of the Stihl but sells them as well as Husky, but that is ok I don't take them in much.  The last time was for a leaky fuel tank that didn't have a leak, crud around the gasket, my fault.

An air hose it a wonderful tool for cleaning saws.  I have only recently had an air compressor.

Tim

[Rocky_J]

If you're a homeowner looking for a saw to use on one or two weekends a month, then you will probably be best suited with something middle of the road. If you're a pro making a living with your saw then you don't need to ask the question. Since I'm not familiar with most of the homeowner models from which you will likely end up picking, I'll back out until you can narrow it down a little bit.

And for the record, most everyone in the past who has shown up asking "What is the single best saw out there?" has ended up buying something cheap marketed toward bargain hunting homeowners. So forgive me if my reply seems a bit harsh.

[zopi]

have four...180C, 290, 192TC and MS-660 with a scorched piston...my favorite saw and the one I do 85% of my cutting with...

Drum Roll, please....





The 180...one cutting little bugger with that pico chain...

All around saw, for light use...270-280....med-heavy use....361-440..

Of course, you can't own too many chainsaws...kinda like golf clubs...

[GASoline71]

If you're a homeowner looking for a saw to use on one or two weekends a month, then you will probably be best suited with something middle of the road. If you're a pro making a living with your saw then you don't need to ask the question. Since I'm not familiar with most of the homeowner models from which you will likely end up picking, I'll back out until you can narrow it down a little bit.

And for the record, most everyone in the past who has shown up asking "What is the single best saw out there?" has ended up buying something cheap marketed toward bargain hunting homeowners. So forgive me if my reply seems a bit harsh.

Doesn't seem harsh to me Brian... you saved me from having to type the same thing.

Gary

[Ianab]

Value for money is also part of the equation. 

I have a Stihl ms310, not one of their best models, but relatively cheap and good reliability. You can stick it in the shed for 6 months, haul it out, fill up with fresh gas, sharpen the chain and it cuts perfecty OK. Thats a big plus to most part time chainsaw users. Power, weight, cutting speed are all nice, but if the saw doesn't start they are sorta irrelevant.

"Whats the best saw for YOU?" is a better question. And that depends on how much you use the saw, and what you are cutting.

Ian

[rebocardo]

If I could have only one saw to cut "anything" it would be a Stihl 066 or 660. Best all around saw at 3 pounds lighter is the Husky 372 for me. The most important saw I ever bought was a Poulan Wildthing 2875 with 18" bar. Because I made 160+ hour$ with it being my 1st gas saw.

[timberjack240]

well we have / had 268xp 359 371xp 372xp 272xp 288xp 385xp and 394xp and there s a 2100 somwhere huskies of course so we pretty well had it covered but as mentioned .. depends on what your doin . for firee wood i prefer the 359 or the 268 .. trimmin soft woods 371 272 372 288 or 385 .. for cuttin timber 385 all the way 288 if i have to and the big guys dont leave the yard .. it depends on what your doing.. i dont know what your expeieance level is .. im jsut gonna say this i wouldnt recommend a 385 husky if your gonna be cuttin fire wood on the weekends. . it was said befoer about a 361 stihl .. the guy i used work for had one .. worked good light but good power .. cut some big trees like 35 in white ash w it not my preferance for felling w but it can be done .. it depends on what your lookin to use the saw for but either way they make a saw for you .. u jsut gotta kno what your gonna need it for   
rebocardo .. where were you makin that kinda moeny i want in on that   

[Ianab]

"rebocardo .. where were you makin that kinda moeny i want in on that "

Umm, wait for big storm, look for tree leaning over expensive roof, charge $500 to rig, cut and remove the thing. 3-4 hours work, everyone is happy.

Not easy, not for the faint of heart, but most important is that your saw starts and cuts, not the brand name or power/weight ratio.

Now if you are doing those jobs every day, then you can quickly pay for a MS200T that will make your life easier, and last for years.

If you need a saw today to cut a fallen tree thats sitting on your driveway, then a Wildthing may be just what you need.

Ian

[Valley Mick]

First off you gotta say what youre gonna be cutting.  Cedar posts, Hard wood or brush.  You need to match the saw to what you want.  I,ve got a ms170 for brush and small work. 12" logs ect...     And a 034 stihl with a 20" bar for felling bigger stuff and blocking.      The biggest and most important thing with any saw is keeping it sharp.
If it won't cut, a big saw is no good and visa versa,   I use my 170 more than any other saw I got. it will cut a 14 inch oak in no time at all.  IF IT'S SHARP!!!!!

[cb6048]

My biased opinion is anything husky pro, but I like my 576xp/24" for the big stuff and my 346xp/18" for the rest

[bandmiller2]

Kept sharp,kept clean ,good fuel mix,drained and run dry when your done,almost any saw will give good service.A good commercial saw maintained will last Joe homeowner most of his life and be a joy to use,money spent on the best is never wasted.Rather than buy a cheap box store wonder for a little jobs it would be more cost effective to rent a real saw.Frank C.

[timberjack240]

Umm, wait for big storm, look for tree leaning over expensive roof, charge $500 to rig, cut and remove the thing. 3-4 hours work, everyone is happy....
 nevermind im good .. im what you call a ground man    

[SawTroll]

Around here the MS361 is the best alrounder, but I use the 346xp more.....



It obviously depends on the wood - no easy answer!