Stihl 361 vs. Husky 359

[saxman]

I want to purchase another saw to go along with my MS260 (18") and 044 (24"). I will say up front that I prefer Stihl products but after reading this site I have decided to at least consider Husqvarna. I want to equip this saw with a 20" bar running 3/8ths chain. The specs on both saws are very similar but I want feedback from guys who have used one or both of the saws. There is about a $200 difference in the price of these saws, Stihl list vs Bailey's price. Thanks in advance for all the input.

 

[West Texas]

I am totally biased and non objective. I own an 026, 360 Pro and a modified 361. They have all been modified or tweaked for good performance in hard oak, cutting firewood. None are race saws.

I think my modified 361 (by David Neiger) with a 3/8 x 8 drive spocket and an 18" Carlson Premium Tip bar will perform as well as the 044 and weighs about two lbs less, as the 044's usually run a longer bar and chain. David said I could run a 24" bar on the modified 361 with no problems, its just that I don't really need it; and, I prefer its feel and performance with a shorter bar.

I've experimented with bars and chains, and my 361 its well balanced with a Stihl 20" bar or the Carlson 18" bar, as the latter is a heavier bar.

I bought the 361 in great shape from a pawn shop and had Dave modify it. Total cost was 'reasonable' and I think its a great investment. Its my fantasy come true.

Having said all that, I don't know squat about a Husky. It could be better or worse, all I know for sure, is I'm just a happy Stihl customer.

Tom

 

[saxman]

Thanks for your reply, I am definately leaning to the 361, like you I have no knowledge base on the Husky. Does the person who did your modifications have some contact information? If so please pass it along to me. Thanks again

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I'm in the same boat as West Texas. I've got a 361 that I could not be happier with, but I don't know squat about the 359. I applaud you for being open minded about considering another model and another brand. I've got an opened muffler on my 361, and that's the extent of it's modifications. I run a 24" bar on it, which in most places, in hard wood would be too much, it handles it superbly here in our cedar and fir. I'm also a big fan of full wrap handlebars, and now one is available for the 361. IMO it just makes the saw all the more great to work with.

I think if you're looking at two similar saws, alot of it would come down to dealer quality and availability and brand loyalty. Let us know what you go with!

Jeff

 

[rahtreelimbs]

For the money you can't go wrong with the 359. Stock with the muffler opened up they are a pretty good saw. Against a 361 I don't know.

EHP gets real good results from the 359 as well as the 361!

When I ran Russ's EHP 361 and my EHP 359 at Russ's GTG this past spring the saws felt pretty equal!

 

[saxman]

Thanks again for the input, as for being similar in performance the two saws should be, their specs are almost the same. I would not be scared of the Husky saw as quality goes and the $200 dollar price advantage is very attractive. The Stihl has the advantage of having a strong dealer support network behind it and I would think that will increase its residual value should I want to sell it. The main question is that worth $200? That is for me to figure out.

 

[asb151]

Thanks again for the input, as for being similar in performance the two saws should be, their specs are almost the same. I would not be scared of the Husky saw as quality goes and the $200 dollar price advantage is very attractive. The Stihl has the advantage of having a strong dealer support network behind it and I would think that will increase its residual value should I want to sell it. The main question is that worth $200? That is for me to figure out.

You have summarized it well. I am a die hard Husky guy, but in this case I'd say go for the 361. IMO there is no major quality difference between Husky and Stihl. We (on this site) could argue that all day. In this case the 361 is probably the better of the 2 saws. Yes, $200 is a fair amount of money but a few months from now you won't remember the difference. You have Stihl saws now and are happy....stay with them.

 

[West Texas]

http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37 will take you to Dave's site here on AS. He is a sponsor under "Other Sponsors". He has been around a long time and is well known. After he modified my saw, said he would ship it back for me to try, not to pay him unless I was happy with it. That's pretty 'old school'. Y ou don't find many like that any more. I don't know the other sponsors; but, highly recommend Dave. Email is [email protected]

 

[ehp]

Not that is matters but I would think if brand make doesnot matter to you then I would go with the 359, reasons= you can have a modded saw for the price of the 361, husky plus $200 for mod.
Both saws are built well so that doesnot matter but if it comes down to what has the most power the modded 359 is real hard to beat and for as cheap of price as they are its a steal, now I do like the 361 but like I said for the money the 359 is hard to beat

 

[rbtree]

Amen to that!!! I got my 357 from someone on ASite for $370, it was 9 tanks old....and had Ed work his magic on it. Since then, Ed has started modding the 359's, which sport a slightly larger motor, and though, not a quad port design, take to mods very well, and may even outcut a 357. You see them all the time on eBay for $280-330, new or like new....I have owned 2 036's..good saws, but the Husky's are just plain better...smoother runnning, cleaner shape, better antivibe and filtration.....etc etc. Haven't run a 361, consensus is it is a fine saw.

 

[saxman]

Thanks to all for your input. It is nice to have an intelligent reasoned comments to consider before making a decision.

 

[bwalker]

One thing to consider is the fact that the 359 has a outboard clutch, which IMO is a pain in the butt to deal with.

 

[Simonizer]

Husqvarna makes some excellent saws. In this displacement range however, you are comparing probably the best Stihl saw ever made to a mediocre saw from Husqvarna. The MS361 in a "no-brainer" here. Brilliant machine. Don't hesitate any furthur. Cheers.

 

[jokers]

Husqvarna makes some excellent saws. In this displacement range however, you are comparing probably the best Stihl saw ever made to a mediocre saw from Husqvarna. The MS361 in a "no-brainer" here. Brilliant machine. Don't hesitate any furthur. Cheers.

What do you know anyway? HAHAHAHAHA! I think you called it way wrong on this one though.

I own two 361s, an EHP359, EHP2159W, and EHP357xp. They are all great saws, I don`t understand how you can call the 359 mediocre? Feature for feature it is atleast equivalent to the 361, which really is a great saw, and mechanically I don`t know of any advantage to the Stihl either.

Please explain your logic.

Russ

 

[Simonizer]

What do you know anyway? HAHAHAHAHA! I think you called it way wrong on this one though.

I own two 361s, an EHP359, EHP2159W, and EHP357xp. They are all great saws, I don`t understand how you can call the 359 mediocre? Feature for feature it is atleast equivalent to the 361, which really is a great saw, and mechanically I don`t know of any advantage to the Stihl either.

Please explain your logic.

Russ

By extrapolating required maintenance/failures in our area the Stihl MS 361 is simply a more durable machine. I don't like to compare machinery on a feature-based platform. Many Fluke DVM's have less features than a Radio Shack meter for example, but are far superior units.

 

[jokers]

By extrapolating required maintenance/failures in our area the Stihl MS 361 is simply a more durable machine. I don't like to compare machinery on a feature-based platform. Many Fluke DVM's have less features than a Radio Shack meter for example, but are far superior units.

Hi Simon,

So you are telling me that you have seen a high failure rate with the 359? Isn`t the 359 essentially the same as the 357 with the exception of the plastic crank "full lobes", piston and cylinder so wouldn`t you in effect be saying that the 357 has a higher than normal failure rate? I find this very interesting because I have no knowledge of quality or durability issues with this series of saw.

The only reason that I brought up the feature for feature comparison between the two saws is that I am unaware of any quality or durability issues with the 357/359 and couldn`t imagine what you based your opinion on. I never said that the 361 isn`t a fine saw, infact you can find statements on this site made by me that are almost adoring of the 361, just that for the money, I think better deals exist.

I think that since you broached the issue of durability problems regarding the 359,it would be appropriate for you to reference failure trends and rates for us to become better informed and for you to support your statements. This seems fair doesn`t it?

Russ

 

[509bbc]

Hi I just picked up a stihl ms361 I really like it. Mine has a 18" bar on it. Smooth, very low vibration and good power. I have never owned a Husky. Some of my freinds do own them, and I have tried theirs, a 346xp, and a 359, and a 372xp all are stock and they run 16" bars on them., the 372xp runs a 20". I feel they are very good saws also. The 372xp I feel is really nice. Really nice power. The lower price is attractive. Why do I prefer Stihl? Main reason I can go 15 minutes away to my Stihl dealer. Dealer support to me is very important. That is why I run a Stihl. If I had a Husky dealer around me and was a good dealer I would run Husky. Both great saws, and from what I read here Dolmar is supposed to be a quality saw.

 

[509bbc]

I forgot to add from previous post. My freinds that do have the Husky's, all did buy their saws over the internet. Price was important to them, more so than having a dealer nearby. They are not pros but use their saws a lot for cutting trees down and for their fire wood. They have had no reliability issues that I know of. They love their Husky's. I love my MS361 a great saw. I am just really hung up on having a dealer nearby.

 

[bwalker]

The 361 is a great saw(I own one), but so is the 357/359. To say one is vastly superior in terms of reliability, etc is premature as the 361 hasnt been out that long.
I will say one turn of for me in buying the small Huskys is the fact that I loath the outboard clutch design.

 

[jokers]

pg 1

Jokers,

You are just as your name implies. I've read many threads by you, and no matter how knowledgeable/neutral u want to portray yourself as, you are husky biased. I think all four of the big dogs (husky, stihl, jonsered, and dolmar) build great saws. I'm still not immune to the fact that stihl sells a lot more saws then any of the others. When it comes to choosing a saw builder though, u seem to change your strategy. You seem to go by the notion whats popular is the best choice, instead of what performs.
Take care,
Brad

Hi Brad,

nor am I immune to the fact that Stihl sells more saws than anyone else, but the fact of the matter is that Stihl`s sales are not all quality based, more market perception based which I think is largely due to advertising in some segments, and Stihl sells far more homeowner saws than pro saws, so what does corporate sales volume have to do with what is the best saw for Saxman?

If this statement

You seem to go by the notion whats popular is the best choice, instead of what performs.

directed at me by you is in reference to endorsing one brand saw over another based on popularity, doesn`t this statement

I'm still not immune to the fact that stihl sells a lot more saws then any of the others.

also by you, refute what you just said in the same post or atleast belie your own bias?

If you are saying that I go with saw builders based on popularity rather than performance you`d better be able to back up your claims. I recommend EHP without reservation because I have had nothing but success with Ed and I have quite a few saws built by him. Have you dealt with Ed at all?