STIHL Vs HUSKY and WHY???

[Jed1124]

I recently put a 288xp back into service for the tree company I work for. Saw sat in the back room of the shop for the last 5 to 8 years or so. I found it laying there like a sick puppy. I have always loved my Stihls. But I tell you what, after a carb kit, impulse and fuel line that saw with a 24 inch bar rips likes nobody's business. I hold my 460 in one hand and that 288 in the other and man, it sure is a tough choice. Both companies make great saws. I can't see how anybody that loves to cut wood can't appreciate both companies for what they do well. All this stihl is better or husky is better is all a bunch of crap. They're both great.

 

[SawTroll]

I recently put a 288xp back into service for the tree company I work for. Saw sat in the back room of the shop for the last 5 to 8 years or so. I found it laying there like a sick puppy. I have always loved my Stihls. But I tell you what, after a carb kit, impulse and fuel line that saw with a 24 inch bar rips likes nobody's business. I hold my 460 in one hand and that 288 in the other and man, it sure is a tough choice. Both companies make great saws. I can't see how anybody that loves to cut wood can't appreciate both companies for what they do well. All this stihl is better or husky is better is all a bunch of crap. They're both great.

As I said before, we need to compare spesific models, and not brands! :msp_wink:

 

[o8f150]

this is like comparing snackies to skinny woman:msp_biggrin::msp_biggrin::msp_biggrin:

 

[zogger]

Oh, that's easy...it's a trick!

Stihl vs Husky was designed by the old merikan iron guys to keep most everyone away from the *real* good quality saws....

 

[bryanr2]

The only Husky dealer in my valley is ~8 miles from my house, and the only Stihl dealer ~30 miles. I went to the Stihl dealer seeking a Farmboss, didn't have any in stock and didn't carry that model. But he did have plenty of bad things to say about the Rancher. I didn't walk, I ran.

Prior to that encounter I was neutral on both brands.

so what did you end up with?

 

[John C]

I love my 044 and my new ms362 so if im paying for it i guess im a stihl guy....but i have nothing bad to say about husky. I run 372xp's all day, 395xp and 3120xp when i have to, and a Jred pro-35 in the tree (that ones mine). I think the 372 is one of the best saws ever made...

 

[Roll Tide]

Well I'm a stihl tech an I only own stihl saws but that's only because I get a good price on stihl equipment and parts. I never bash husky because I also service huskys at my dealership . I've ran my uncles 346 XP and 372 XP and was impressed by both . I'm still stuck on my 441 though

 

[carguy]

I have more than enough of both brands and they both perform well except the Stihl sounds like a leaf blower and the Husky sounds like a dirt bike. One sounds like work and one sounds like fun.

 

[Sabertooth]

They're the best sellers thats all.

Huskys are lighter than Stihl IMO and I like speed and feel of the good old orange jackets.

 

[PA Plumber]

I can only speak from experience of Husky from a 359, a 181SE, 262 XP, a 61 Rancher, and a couple of parts saws that were sold in parts; They all seemed like decent saws.

I run mostly Stihl. That's what I started with as the first saw I purchased after getting a new to me home a few moons ago.

I have taken beaters from both worlds and gotten them running. The older Huskys sure seemed nice to work on. I don't know anything about the newer stuff.

The 026 is my favorite "small" saw. They are little gems colored in orange. I'm sure I'd like a 346, but don't care for the outboard clutch.

 

[arborealbuffoon]

I have more than enough of both brands and they both perform well except the Stihl sounds like a leaf blower and the Husky sounds like a dirt bike. One sounds like work and one sounds like fun.

Funny to hear that. The most common comment I get when I fire up the ol' 394 is: "Wow, that thing sounds just like a dirt bike!"

 

[flyboy553]

I went with Husky because of the chain speed.

My little 359 would cut circles around a similar Stihl. But then I learned how to sharpen chains. :hmm3grin2orange:

Seriously, the Huskies are just plain fast in the wood.

Ted

 

[andydodgegeek]

Funny to hear that. The most common comment I get when I fire up the ol' 394 is: "Wow, that thing sounds just like a dirt bike!"

I get that same response when running my 2101xp. I started it in the shop at work one day and everyone thought it was either a dirtbike or a snowmobile.

 

[SawTroll]

I went with Husky because of the chain speed.

My little 359 would cut circles around a similar Stihl. But then I learned how to sharpen chains. :hmm3grin2orange:

Seriously, the Huskies are just plain fast in the wood.

Ted

The 359 isn't among the faster Huskys - there are reasons that it isn't an xp.c

 

[STIHLTHEDEERE]

I went with Husky because of the chain speed.

My little 359 would cut circles around a similar Stihl. But then I learned how to sharpen chains. :hmm3grin2orange:

Seriously, the Huskies are just plain fast in the wood.

Ted

is it stock? i have never seen a stock 359 that would hang with a 361/362, close, but no cigar.. my 2156 is stock and it is right there, and i know it has more guts than a 2159.

 

[SawTroll]

is it stock? i have never seen a stock 359 that would hang with a 361/362, close, but no cigar.. my 2156 is stock and it is right there, and i know it has more guts than a 2159.

For once I agree with you - the 359 is diliberately "detuned" to make a lower price alternative to the 357xp, with less performance - sort of the same that Stihl did with the 341 vs. the 361 (but not in the same way). It is pretty common practise among the brands.

When the 359 and the others are properly ported, the game changes quite a bit though.....

 

[John C]

Coming from someone who owns Stihls and runs Huskys at work all day, every day....both brands professional line of saws are top notch. I own a 362...the only reason i bought it is ergonomics. It feels better in my hands than the 357xp i use at work. Also, i think its got a little more power. Bottom line...its not really worth arguing about. They are both great.

 

[flyboy553]

is it stock? i have never seen a stock 359 that would hang with a 361/362, close, but no cigar.. my 2156 is stock and it is right there, and i know it has more guts than a 2159.

Stock with only a muff mod done to it. It may not be the fastest Husky around, but it does outcut the 361. A friend has one and he has used mine and says it will out cut his 361. Good enough for me. I know there are faster Husky's and one of these days I will have one, just not this day!

And yes, Saw Troll, I know that in your mind, if it isn't an xp, it just isn't a saw at all. I get that. But it makes ME happy, and that's all I really care about. You will just have to run your saws! :cool2:

Ted

 

[blsnelling]

Stock with only a muff mod done to it. It may not be the fastest Husky around, but it does outcut the 361. A friend has one and he has used mine and says it will out cut his 361. Good enough for me. I know there are faster Husky's and one of these days I will have one, just not this day!

And yes, Saw Troll, I know that in your mind, if it isn't an xp, it just isn't a saw at all. I get that. But it makes ME happy, and that's all I really care about. You will just have to run your saws! :cool2:

Ted

Until they're run in the same wood,with the same B&C, and a stop watch used, it means little to nothing. Perception is FAR more powerful than you can imagine. A 357 and a 361 are neck and neck, meaning a 359 will fall behind.

 

[blsnelling]

At one time, all of my work saws were Stihl, just like most of my collection. I now only own 1 or 2 Stihl work saws. I don't really consider my 084 a work saw, although I have used it a few times for work. It's really more of a toy in my collection. My MS440/460 is an awesome worksaw. However, the rest of my work saws are now all Huskies. This isn't because I think they're "better", but that I find them more "mod friendly", or simply like that model better than the Stihl equivalent. Bottom line, both brands make prefessional grade tools, period. I had both the 346 and 261. I kept the 346. I'm not sure why, but I just love that saw. Maybe it's because I have much more of me invested in it. My 440/460 and 372 are very close in power, but I can't bring myself to part with either one. I just sold my 066 and MAY replace it with a 395XP. My 390XP would be a very strong work saw, but is currently turning into a piped and 2-piece headed GTG toy.