looking for a new saw

[sisu]

Own 3 stihls and one carving echo, oldest was bought in 1969, can't remember vintage of newer ones. All run, oldest one has been over hauled once. Husqvarna according to a former stihl buddy is best saw around right now. But again was the egg first or the chicken. Can't go wrong with either.
 

[madmack76]

yea i bought a stihl i looked at everything gut the stihl people were most knowledgeable, i didn't like the fact that huskys sell there saw in a cardboard box from home depot that and an old boss had two the he constantly had probs with, its just like cars every one has there own pref. I've had it for 2 months now and i love it , it rips thru the wood good and just comfortable to run.

[ICEMAN]

Hooray, Stihl is the way to go! You will not be disappointed.

[CastleRocker]

I used to cut timber.  I've wore out many saws.  Right out of the box a Husky will cut circles around a Stihl.  After a couple months, (more hours than most people will ever put on a saw), they change places, and the Stihl will run away from a Husky on the stump.  After five or six months, the Husky will start "nickel & diming" you.  I packed my Husky's out, broke down mid-day more times than I like to remember.  At seven or eight months (tops) you rebuild one, sell your spare, and buy a new motor and start over.  My falling partner and I ran through a lot of saws, and did a lot of experimentation with them over the years and these were our findings.

Like most said; buy a Stihl. I have to ask though... what's with all the short bar recommendations?  Myself, I like to stand upright when I'm running a saw.  You spend all day bent over, and it will feel like work!  Get a motor that will pull a bar that you can reach the ground in front of you with, and stand up!  Also, get wrap around bars!  They cut the vibration at least in half, and it's much easier to run motor side down.

[MuleySniper]

My O46 with a 36" bar and .404 chain is a fun saw. I agree with CastleRocker, but damn.. that big bar gets heavy luggin around after awhile.
MS

[fishingnut71]

ms390 with a 20inch bar is hard to beat.

[DOUBLELUNG]

For a SAW, hard to beat an M249.  You could even cut down trees ...

[madmack76]

you live but your tools have fun with'em