chainsaw brand wars, what’s your measure?

[Margie_Fatima]

"Stihl is the best" gets tossed around like gospel, but best at what? Selling hats? Having the most dealers? People forget there are plenty of Huskys, Echos, and Dolmars that'll cut just as hard and last just as long.

Honestly, deciding on the "best" brand is useless unless you lay out the yardstick. If it's pure durability, plenty of old Huskys and Dolmars are still chewing wood. If it's ease of getting parts, Stihl wins because every small town has a dealer. If it's bang for buck, Echo might top them both. So instead of a popularity contest, how do you define best? and based on that, who really takes the crown in 2025?

 

[MidlifeMoto]

@Margie_Fatima For me, the best one is the one with user comfort and ergonomics. I'll take a Husky any day of the week.
Their anti vibration system and overall balance are just better if you're going to be bucking logs all day.
The saw feels like an extension of your body, and that makes a huge difference in how tired you are at the end of the day. A saw is only as good as the guy running it, and I'd rather have a saw that makes my life easier

 

[STIHLTECH]

I only go by what is still running in the shop and what is still running in daily use with longevity. That is why I pick Stihl.
By the way, I was a Husky dealer, dropped them. Could not compete in the logging workforce in this area.

 

[Gee Willikers]

Interestingly, the top 3-4 brands use many of the same ‘quality’ parts, skilled assemblies, and have a devoted following. The only differences are unique to the buyer, who defends their brand while belittling others.

Brands such as Stihl Tools, John Deere tractors, DeWalt Tools and similar are great, but so are others who share that distinction. I use Echo Tools, Mahindra tractors and DeWalt tools. Love them, works great and wouldn't change, but that me, just my opinion.

 

[Dennis1953]

"Stihl is the best" gets tossed around like gospel, but best at what? Selling hats? Having the most dealers? People forget there are plenty of Huskys, Echos, and Dolmars that'll cut just as hard and last just as long.

Honestly, deciding on the "best" brand is useless unless you lay out the yardstick. If it's pure durability, plenty of old Huskys and Dolmars are still chewing wood. If it's ease of getting parts, Stihl wins because every small town has a dealer. If it's bang for buck, Echo might top them both. So instead of a popularity contest, how do you define best? and based on that, who really takes the crown in 2025?

I bought a 3000 Poulan, branded Craftsman, in 1981. It’s still my favorite saw. My John Deere 80EV (an Echo) is my go-to for the big ones. Echo 550 EVL, two Poulan 3400’s, a Poulan 3700 and a Stihl 034 are my working saws. I’ve never had good results from a Homelite saw. I keep several little Poulans on hand to use around the house.