If you could have any one

[Danno77]

I do not understand. Someone says "Free Car" and people are all suggesting nice reliable cars that are good ways to spend their own money. I'm not gonna tell you Ford Taurus. If you want to end up with a Ford Taurus, and there's an open ended budget, then I'm going to suggest a Bugatti Veyron. Sell that and buy all of the Tauruses and gas you'll ever need for the rest of your life.

Stihl MS880 or Husqy 3120XP.

 

[Danno77]

P.S. Who is gifting said saw and can I get one, too?

Seriously, though, what is the nature of this gift? That can make a big difference on what I'd suggest. Many people don't understand what things cost and offer to pay for "whatever" as a gift for a favor. I once had someone offer to buy me a couple of chains for my chainsaw for cutting up some wood. I could have accepted, but I thought it best to tell them that my chains cost $30 each. They had been in Wal-mart before and knew that you could get one for like 12 bucks.

Maybe it's a rich uncle who has cash to blow? That would have me offering up crazier ideas than if it is grandma who has a little stash of cash and likes pleasing her grandkids with nice gifts that make them self sufficient.

 

[firefighterjake]

Really to me it depends on just how big a gift this person is aiming for . . .

I only really know Huskies . . .

If I was dreaming big and wanted a very good saw that would last for years and have a good power to weight ratio . . . 562XP . . . but this is over $700.

If I wanted a saw that was very good and would last for years and was a little cheaper . . . 555 or 372XP . . . at around $500 plus.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

MS440 or the Husky 372XP. The only reason I bought the 440 was it was $50 cheaper at the time.

This

 

[Bigg_Redd]

460/461 But I dont know what you will be cutting? Whats your true skill set?

Or this

 

[midwestcoast]

Do you cut wood out of your own woodlot or scrounge from yard trees? What diameter is the stuff you normally cut? Biggest you Need to cut?
For me, if I had a wood lot & generally cut stuff less than 24 inches: 50cc like ms261 or 346xp
If I also Sometimes cut bigger stuff up to say 36-40": 60cc like 562xp, 555 or ms361
If I Mostly cut stuff bigger than 24" diam: 70cc like 372xp, ms441
If I need something 80cc or over then I am not on here asking this question because I already have a garage full of saws

 

[DexterDay]

. . . 562XP . . . but this is over $700.

If I wanted a saw that was very good and would last for years and was a little cheaper . . . 555 or 372XP . . . at around $500 plus.

I wish that 372's were about $500! I would have one already

So the OP knows what there getting into. These are all MSRP's.

Husqvarna line up cost comparison :

555 MSRP $629 (non pro)
562 XP is $739
372 XP is $859

Equivalent Stihl :

MS 391 is $539 (non pro)
MS 362 is $689
MS 460 is $959

All prices are subject to change with different bar lengths and any deals going on at your dealer. I got just shy of $100 off my 460 by haggling a lil

 

[ScotO]

I'd tell them I'd be happy with a USED, running and in good condition Stihl 090AV. Yep, that'd be my choice.....

Go on ebay and see what they're going for......you never mentioned a price limit, FWIW.....

All joking aside, if you are cutting as a casual cutter, not a full-time tree removal or firewood hoarder (like most of us on here), a 50cc saw would suit most of your needs (Stihl or Husky). If you want a bigger saw, the 60cc range would be a good place to be, if you're a serious firewood cutter, go for 70ccs. That's just my opinion.......either way, tell 'em they are gonna have to get their wallet out!!

 

[Nixon]

Man ! Your question hurt my head ...... One saw ? Wow , there are several good options . If you want tried and true .... 372xp ,ms460 . If you want to go next gen saw 562 XP. If you want to go really old school ... 044 Stihl . Then there's ........
Never mind , I just can't give you an honest answer

 

[Nixon]

Leslielou , what do You plan to do with it ? It makes a world of difference when shopping for saws . If I was looking for something do do a bit of limbing and a bit of firewood on an in frequent basis , I'd look at saws in the 50 -60 cc range . In pro grade , that would be the Ms 362 ,Ms 261 , 550XP ,562 XP . There is also the 555xp , it's in between the Pro saws and the Farm Boss , Rancher series saws .
If this was dis jointed ,and unclear ..... it 'cause I just can't reconcile the thought of just one saw !

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Before asking and deciding on which saw to get, one needs first to determine, what am I going to cut with this saw? Only then can you begin looking at specific saws.

 

[Nixon]

Don't ever have one woods ported ! It'll make You grin too much !
Nixon stock 390xp before porting - YouTube
Nixon 390xp after porting - YouTube

 

[Leslielou]

P.S. Who is gifting said saw and can I get one, too?

Seriously, though, what is the nature of this gift? That can make a big difference on what I'd suggest.

Maybe it's a rich uncle who has cash to blow? That would have me offering up crazier ideas than if it is grandma who has a little stash of cash and likes pleasing her grandkids with nice gifts that make them self sufficient.

The gift is from my mother in law. Large gifts are common for her and I would guess that her max out would probably be $1k based on historical relationship. She travels 9-12 months out of the year as an insurance adjuster and has a guilty conscience


As I mentioned earlier, my SIL (above MILs daughter) and her husband are competitive lumber jacks and have speed saws and such, so the cost is not unfamiliar to the family.

 

[Leslielou]

Ok...in terms of use- we will be cutting 6ish cords per year of various hardwoods -oak, walnut, ash, some cherry, other ohio hardwoods. Largest will likely be 24" D. We may do more than just harvest firewood as we have trails and such to maintain so we can continue to access various pieces of our acreage.

 

[Leslielou]

Don't ever have one woods ported ! It'll make You grin too much !
Nixon stock 390xp before porting - YouTube
Nixon 390xp after porting - YouTube

I don't know what this means?

Oh no...plz don't tell my husband that he can do work to a saw like he does his truck...one type of performance engine building is enough for my household

 

[Leslielou]

I'd tell them I'd be happy with a USED, running and in good condition Stihl 090AV. Yep, that'd be my choice.....

Go on ebay and see what they're going for......you never mentioned a price limit, FWIW.....

All joking aside, if you are cutting as a casual cutter, not a full-time tree removal or firewood hoarder (like most of us on here), a 50cc saw would suit most of your needs (Stihl or Husky). If you want a bigger saw, the 60cc range would be a good place to be, if you're a serious firewood cutter, go for 70ccs. That's just my opinion.......either way, tell 'em they are gonna have to get their wallet out!!

For almost 5 grand this better be one fabulous saw ;-) but I did ask for the one

 

[Nixon]

The gift is from my mother in law. Large gifts are common for her and I would guess that her max out would probably be $1k based on historical relationship. She travels 9-12 months out of the year as an insurance adjuster and has a guilty conscience


As I mentioned earlier, my SIL (above MILs daughter) and her husband are competitive lumber jacks and have speed saws and such, so the cost is not unfamiliar to the family.

Then get a 395 xp ! Seriously get something in the 50-60 cc range . It'll serve you well . the make doesn't really matter .Although you might want to watch this 346 Xp run .It seems to be running well
Hopefully Big Red can show a 50 CC Stihl running that well
First go at 3cube cold start - YouTube

 

[Pallet Pete]

Ok I am going against the grain here and gonna say the Dolmar PS-9010 5.4 cu inch 90cc MMM yah thats a saw ! I used on a few months ago and holy crap that thing has power and pull. But more realistically an Echo cs-600P 60cc I love the echo saws mine is a mini powerhouse.

Pete

 

[Thistle]

Ok I am going against the grain here and gonna say the Dolmar PS-9010 5.4 cu inch 90cc MMM yah thats a saw ! I used on a few months ago and holy crap that thing has power and pull. But more realistically an Echo cs-600P 60cc I love the echo saws mine is a mini powerhouse.

Pete

Here ya go.....

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[Nixon]

I don't know what this means?

Oh no...plz don't tell my husband that he can do work to a saw like he does his truck...one type of performance engine building is enough for my household

Don't show Him the video !

 

[Pallet Pete]

Here ya go.....

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O crud I got druel all over my iPad lol. Thanks thistle !

Pete

 

[Leslielou]

Then get a 395 xp ! Seriously get something in the 50-60 cc range . It'll serve you well . the make doesn't really matter .Although you might want to watch this 346 Xp run .It seems to be running well
Hopefully Big Red can show a 50 CC Stihl running that well
First go at 3cube cold start - YouTube

That looked like a nice saw! My BIL is taking us shopping in the next week so I have some time to form an opinion. I'll probably never use, bc that would be dangerous but I hate having to pull cords multiple times, so the 395 is for me

 

[Thistle]

O crud I got druel all over my iPad lol. Thanks thistle !

Pete

Nice one,'eh? If I remember,that was sold on Ebay back earlier in the summer.

 

[TreePointer]

In review...

One saw
Money no object
Ohio hardwoods
Up to 24" diameter
Cut 6 cords of firewood per year.
Sometimes used to clear trails. (From pickup truck, tractor, ATV, horses, mountain biking, backpack on two feet?)

In general:
More power allows you to run longer bars and cut faster.
More power, however, means a heavier saw.
Lighter saws are better for small bucking and limbing trees.
Heavier saws are better for larger diameter bucking, stumping (making good looking stumps), and noodling (splitting usually large logs by sawing them in half).
Smaller & lighter saws are often needed for the transport method used in trail clearing.

60cc often is quoted as the one-saw-plan or do-it-all saw (MS362, 562XP et al.).

You could do a little "planning" (scheming?) by getting that nice 70cc+ saw (372XP, MS441, MS461, etc.) now and then later add a the smaller, much less expensive 45cc to 50cc limbing/trail saw to the arsenal. Anyone who cuts firewood regularly will end up with more than one saw anyway!

 

[Leslielou]

You could do a little "planning" (scheming?) by getting that nice 70cc+ saw (372XP, MS441, MS461, etc.) now and then later add a the smaller, much less expensive 45cc to 50cc limbing/trail saw to the arsenal. Anyone who cuts firewood regularly will end up with more than one saw anyway!

Ohhhh scheming...I like it!

ETA: multiple type of trails to maintain- some for trucks, some for people/tractor