Husqvarna vs. Stihl

[phastmac]

I've used Stihl for years, been very happy. About to look at getting a new saw. I have some friends that cut a lot of fire wood that have switched from Stihl to Husqvarna. They say the Husky seems to cut better, and they seem to think overall the Husky is a better saw. Any thoughts on this? Just looking to learn something. Thanks

 

[Shaneard]

Both are great saws, I've had and do have both. I prefer Stihl.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Friends are dealers for Both and Echo as well. I might just try Echo next. Any saw that starts, idles and isn't always sitting in a puddle of expensive chain oil would work for me.

 

[thekkfan]

Have both, both are great saws. Stihl tends to give me crank/run issues after long run times. Husky very consistent hot or cold.

 

[Shaneard]

Friends are dealers for Both and Echo as well. I might just try Echo next. Any saw that starts, idles and isn't always sitting in a puddle of expensive chain oil would work for me.

The one husky I have has always leaked oil and I guarantee it's sitting in a puddle of it in it's case now and when you turn it over on it's side to fill it with gas, before you can get the cap on it's leaking gas out of somewhere but get it back upright quick and the gas stops

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have reluctantly thrown away all my Stihl carry cases as I find it better for oil leakage if the saws are stored sitting on their side. Aside from the waste, it's a pain that you always need to refill the oil prior to use, and then I almost always over fill it, making more mess and wasting even more oil.

 

[John_Mc]

Both manufacturers make good saws and some "lower end saws". There is more difference among the saws within their lines than between a Husky and a Stihl of similar specs. So to really answer this, you'd have to narrow things down a bit (and even then, it's also largely a matter of opinion/personal preference).

 

[Industrial Toys]

I did use a customers smaller Stihl saw yesterday and noticed that it had butterfly style oil and gas caps. I have asked my dealer friend to see about getting me some of those. That stupid worn out screwdriver ridge in the Stihl caps was garbage. Huskies hex caps were much nicer but still required a tool, plus the threads can be easily stripped.

 

[atsah]

I have switched to Husqvarna from Stihl, they start easier and they cut better IMO, the only Stihl I now own is a 200T made in Germany that I will never sell..

IMO, if you are talking about buying a home owner saw, I would say they about even, XP Husqvarna is hard to beat.. A Husky 550XP is a fast cutting light weight well made saw for limbing and cutting firewood with an 18 inch bar and is my favorite..

I will add to buy from a dealer, they take the saw out back and adjust the carb so you don't have starting issues..

 

[MH8675309]

I started with a Stihl 510 about 30 years ago and it was a really old saw even then. It ran good though and when I got a newer saw I gave it to my cousin. Over the years I did buy one Husky - cost a bout $500 and hard starting. Never had a saw so hard to start. Definitely prefer Stihl.

 

[DieselnHooters]

No first hand experience with the newer models but I own older saw of both brands_ Husky 357XP ans Stihl 034_they are similar pro-saws in the 55-60cc range, the Husky is 15 years old , the Stihl 20. Both still work perfectly, start easily. 18'' bars are a great match on those...like them both equally.


The last 2 saws I bought new were Echo, a 48cc and a 75cc, they dont rev up as much, not quite as productive as Husky or Stihl pro grades but less $$$, best bang for your buck IMO

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have nothing but good things to say about my "Jonny",

Load after load!

This firewood is heating my house as I type this,

SR

 

[om21braz]

I have had both, now all Stihl. Husky probably has an edge running wide open, but Stihl has better low end when trying to ease thru a piece. IMHO, which ever saw you choose - I would definitely put a Stihl chain on it. That has been my experience, YMMV.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Better than an Oregon chain? Why? All the dealers only seem to carry Oregon chain.

 

[Mike Madison]

I used Stihl for years--had about 8 saws up to 32 inch bar. Then I got a lemon and the dealer wouldn't honor the warranty. End of Stihl for me. I switched to Echo, which I love. Easy to start, run strong. I now have 5 Echo saws. I bought a cheap Husqvarna one time, and it was just that, a cheap tool. I had to remove the brake to get it to run. I'm sure their premium saws are okay.

 

[ning]

I have an ancient Stihl 031 (mom bought it new in '74 or '75) and a recent Echo CS590. The Stihl actually starts more easily than the Echo.

Oh, we've also got an Echo CS305 which has an atrociously-placed air intake... I'm probably going to replace that with a battery powered unit when I find a good one (hopefully something that uses the 80v battery on the blower my wife just got...).

 

[goeduck]

I have reluctantly thrown away all my Stihl carry cases as I find it better for oil leakage if the saws are stored sitting on their side. Aside from the waste, it's a pain that you always need to refill the oil prior to use, and then I almost always over fill it, making more mess and wasting even more oil.

Have you tried replacing the oil cap O Ring? Or the entire cap. I was sitting one of my saws on the side like that but would often forget and have a puddle the next day. Got tired of that and replaced the cap (or O ring, I cannot recall).

As to the brand, I have 4 Stihls and like them. Many satisfied owners out there of Huskys, Johnnie, Echo.... lots of choices.

 

[goeduck]

Better than an Oregon chain? Why? All the dealers only seem to carry Oregon chain.

Stihl saw chain has better metal composition.

 

[oosik]

I cut firewood here for 15 years before switching over to electric. I had both brands - both worked well - I prefer Stihl. One definite item - the chains on the Stihl saws required sharpening less often than the Husk. I still have gobs of Mt St Helens ash in the bark of my ancient Ponderosa pines. It does raise Holy @#$% with a chain saw chain. I still have a large and small Stihl saw.

 

[lpigott]

Both are good, just make sure you compare apples to apples, i.e. pro grade saws to pro grade and farm and ranch to farm and ranch and homeowner to homeowner along with CC to CC in each. I have several Husky pro saws and Echo top handles but Stihl makes great saws too. My pole saw and clearing saw are both Stihls as is my BP blower. Keep good fuel in any of them and take care of them and they all will take care of you. Consider your nearest servicing dealer and how good they are more than anything.