Best small/tiny rear-handle chainsaw?

[ham]

Curious what everyone thinks, for a 12" bar rear handle, what is the best on the market right now?

 

[dmb2613]

MS151 TC

 

[esean]

If you want tiny, there's the recently released Echo 2511P and the more expensive Stihl MS 151. If you need more power you could step up to the Echo 361P, or the rear-handled version of the Stihl 201 if cost is no object. The small Makita's get great reviews also and are less expensive. I assume there's a rear-handled version of the Stihl 193, though the 2511P probably has almost as much power in a much lighter package, and the 361P will cut circles around it for an extra 1/2# weight. The biq question is - what are you going to cut? If a 12" bar is all I needed, my pick would be the 2511P (I have the top handled 2511T and love it.) Another option would be to wait for the little battery Echo that's similar in weight but hasn't made it to the states yet.

 

[ham]

If you want tiny, there's the recently released Echo 2511P and the more expensive Stihl MS 151. If you need more power you could step up to the Echo 361P, or the rear-handled version of the Stihl 201 if cost is no object. The small Makita's get great reviews also and are less expensive. I assume there's a rear-handled version of the Stihl 193, though the 2511P probably has almost as much power in a much lighter package, and the 361P will cut circles around it for an extra 1/2# weight. The biq question is - what are you going to cut? If a 12" bar is all I needed, my pick would be the 2511P (I have the top handled 2511T and love it.) Another option would be to wait for the little battery Echo that's similar in weight but hasn't made it to the states yet.

For what I'm cutting, just tiny stuff - fallen branches, trimming bushes.. What started this, I realized how much more I like my handheld lightweight bg55 blower over my br700. Sure, once a month it's worth it to have the big backpack blower but I pull out the handheld a couple times a week and really enjoy using it

That echo looks really interesting, I have an echo dealer near me and will have to see if they have one. Battery tools are great but I prefer gas. I would prefer a pro level tool, cost I hadn't thought about but under $5-6-700 would be great.

 

[dmb2613]

The 150 T and the 151 T are both retail at $509. both pro saws

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Best small/tiny rear-handle chainsaw?​

A Silky handsaw.

 

[lone wolf]

MS151 TC

Plus 1!

 

[airframefixer]

It's always worth having a silky around.

Otherwise, whatever you get on these light saws stay away from Oregon vx or vxl chain. With these light saws, that chain tends to chatter pretty bad. Stihl ps is the way to go or the 1/4 pitch stihl chain.

Having said that, love my 361p for the weight, it's my go to.

 

[airframefixer]

Here a quick vid on the 361p. Yes, I threw the chain halfway up the tree. A video will never do a small saw justice as weight can't really be conveyed in video like cutting speed.

 

[ham]

Lots of support for the MS 151, why none for the 201C rear handle?

 

[airframefixer]

I cant speak for the US.. but in canada, the rear handle 201 is priced way out of the market. Its 869 here, a 261 is 779 and the 241 was 649 when I bought mine in 2016. If the gap was a little narrower, I can see them selling more saws... I still want a 201 rear handle.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

What about the new 2511 rear handle. Lighter then stihl version and way cheaper to buy.

Think mid 5lb range

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-2511P

 

[ham]

Thoughts on the MS 194 CE? My shop has a rear handle, $419. They said the MS 151 rear handles are hard to get in, they can order but could be months. Or could randomly show up in a week.

 

[airframefixer]

A little lighter and less power than the 361p. I think anything under 9 lbs is going to feel "really light" compared to a traditional rear handle saw when your running it.

When I was climbing, the 200t felt like a brick compared to my 150T. All depends on what you plan to do with it. If your hiking into camp with your saw on your backpack, that extra pound or two on your back all day will add up. Same with dudes climbing. I did most of my cutting with pole saws and silkys and carried a gas saw for larger limbs. Mainly pruning work while climbing.

I considered the 194 vs the 361p, it was a no brainer to get the 361p. Only a few dollars more for more power and and all round good reputation. And finally, my main motivation was to avoid telling my friends I spent 1000.00 on a 35cc saw, the ms201.

I'm sure some gentle mods provided you can do them yourself, will put 194 up there with the 361p

 

[esean]

For your described use, the 2511P or 151 will be a joy to use. I'd go up to the 36cc saws if you intend to regularly cut hardwoods >6-8". I have cut 12"white oak with my 2511 when trail clearing, so it can handle it when needed. I'd ignore the Stihl 194.

 

[Tigwelder83]

Have the 2511t. It's picky on its chain, but it's reliable and handy as hell. I use it out of my bucket alot when stuff must be handled, otherwise I cut with a redmax gz360.

 

[ham]

Update. My dealer contacted their stihl rep and apparently the ms151 top handle is not a popular saw at all in the south (most folks use 201s) and the rear handle is even more rare. The rear handle is not available in dealer systems down here. They were able to source one from a dealer in the pacific NW but I would have to pay above Msrp to get it here. I told him I’ll pass, too much trouble.

Also I was able to look at a rear handle 2511, hate to be vain but that thing has a face only a mother can love. https://www.echotools.com/en_us/products/chain-saws/chain-saw/cs-2511wes

I guess a tiny rear handle just isn’t in the cards right now!

 

[billyboy]

I’ve had a little homelite 26-7 cc top handle for a few years and it’s been very dependable and it cuts wood. Paid $15 for it at auction, put sprocket , oil and fuel lines, couple duck bills, air filter, chain, good to go. Pretty easy to work on compared to some of the newer stuff I’ve seen and used. Stihl 019t comes to mind in the hard to work on.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

Homelite super 2, pick them up at yard sales all summer long.

 

[1hp]

just got a 2511P to clear trails with. put a LP chisel chain from Bailey's on it. not a clamshell.