Stihl handle color

[wmthrower]

Have an interesting one for you fellas. A buddy of mine went to the farm show in Syracuse and the factory rep told him that there was no difference in handle colors in the Stihl line (pro vs homeowner) and never was.

It is funny when I look at the new catalog that the "professional series" have all white handles and the 290-390 series are all orange.

Any opinions other than the rep didn't know squat? Apparently he wasn't too friendly either. It's good that we have a great dealer near home.

 

[GASoline71]

Maybe the Stihl rep thought he was talkin' about the top handle... which is always black.

Gary

 

[oldsaw]

Yeah, that's pretty common knowledge. Maybe the guy was new and over his head that day. Shows can attract a tough audience, I've done them before.

Mark

 

[troutfisher]

What's this handle color stuff?

 

[GASoline71]

Basically... if the trigger handle on the newer Stihl saws is orange it equals, "homeowner/occasional user" type saw.

If it has the white trigger handle it equals "Pro Grade" type saw.

Compare the rear trigger handle on a MS361 to say... an MS250. You'll see the diff. However there are some exceptions to the rule, like the MS280.

My old 028 WB has a white rear trigger handle... but was never touted as a "Pro Grade" saw. But the 028's did see a lot of pro type use in their day.

Gary

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

There are black rear handles too, like on the 170 and 180.

And like Gary said, it's the newer, plastic handled Stihls. Some of the older metal models had orange handles, like the 056, which was certainly a pro saw.

Jeff

 

[Just Mow]

Yeah, what he said:help:

 

[Lakeside53]

I wonder if Stihl knows this?:monkey: :monkey: :monkey:

 

[manual]

So If I wanted to look like a Pro I would use the White Handle.
and if I was at home I would use the orange handle unless I had a older saw then I would use at as a pro would, untill I climbed a tree I would use the black handle.

 

[Dok]

And don't even get the Stihl guys started on chain and bar colors

 

[manual]

So what if I used a orange color handle saw and got paid for the job would it be considered a pro saw?

 

[sawinredneck]

Now boys, it's no different than Husky, are the 353 and 359 Pro, or home owner saws, without the "xp" designation, it's not a "pro" right?

 

[SawTroll]

There are black rear handles too, like on the 170 and 180.

And like Gary said, it's the newer, plastic handled Stihls. Some of the older metal models had orange handles, like the 056, which was certainly a pro saw.

Jeff

...and the MS200 rear handle. All the smallest Stihls have black handles, regardless if they are pro or consumer models.

Of the current larger models (from 210 and all the way up), the only exception to the white vs, orange rule are the 270 and 280, but those do have magnesium cases, even though they are not full blown pro models.

 

[SawTroll]

Now boys, it's no different than Husky, are the 353 and 359 Pro, or home owner saws, without the "xp" designation, it's not a "pro" right?

How the 353, 359 and 365 are marketed vary from market to market......

 

[blis]

How the 353, 359 and 365 are marketed vary from market to market......

IMO 353/359/365 should be counted as pro saws since they have mag. cases and all the same parts as theyr xp counterparts, expect p&C is different...

 

[begleytree]

yeah, Ive heard that too, and thru the 80's and 90's it pretty much was true, with a few exceptions like the 020T/MS200T wearing a black handle and the 009L wearing a white one.
I also heard to only buy even numbered stihls and odd numbered huskys. thats not a perfect rule either. (372)
-Ralph

 

[SawTroll]

IMO 353/359/365 should be counted as pro saws since they have mag. cases and all the same parts as their xp counterparts, expect p&C is different...

Yes, they sure are of pro saw quality, but marketing is not necessarily about the whole truth - it is also about finding the "right" competition, among other things......

 

[GASoline71]

I think it is just something that somebody noticed a long time ago... and took it for gospel. I don't check the handle of a Stihl to determine what quality it is personally.

My buddy has a Husqvarna 359 that might as well be a pro saw. Even though it doesn't have the "XP" on it. That saw gets abused hard and just keeps askin' for more. Good saw.

Gary

 

[Cam501]

Yes, they sure are of pro saw quality, but marketing is not necessarily about the whole truth - it is also about finding the "right" competition, among other things......

and don't forget the new MS192 rear handle coming soon. As for the 353/359 and lets not forget the 365 and 570, I don't have any qualms calling those pro saws. I wanted to choke one of our salesmen after he told a customer that a 570 was an occasional use homeowner saw that wouldn't hold up. :bang:

 

[Ax-man]

So If I wanted to look like a Pro I would use the White Handle.
and if I was at home I would use the orange handle unless I had a older saw then I would use at as a pro would, untill I climbed a tree I would use the black handle.

Yep, you got it,